When we read your word, O God,
through the sunglasses of our
culture,
the pounding percussion we hear
barks these 3 words: I. NEED.
MORE!!!
And the economy of scarcity
tightens its grip on us.
We become possessive, like Lot
and Abimelech,
arguing with Abraham over wells;
degrading your gifts into
commodities, O Lord.
We are too busy to heed Noah's
call,
and the flood of too much of a
good thing consumes us.
We become Pharaohs who order our
chariots
to race through the Reed Sea
in pursuit of profit at all
costs.
We become emperors and kings
who hoard our bread and wine,
and trade on the hardships of
others,
so that we can confiscate their
bread and wine,
too, because, one day there may
not be enough.
Ah, but when we let your story
become our story,
reading with open minds, open
hearts, and open dreams,
the rhythmic cadence we hear
sounds like these 3 words:
MORE. THAN.
ENOUGH.
Then we can pitch our tent with
Abraham and Sara,
setting out for parts unknown,
in the assurance that God will
provide.
We are able to follow Miriam and
Moses
across dry ground and desert,
whining a little,
but glad to partake of water
from the rock
and gather our manna every day.
We might even dare to follow
Jesus
into the wilderness on a regular
basis
to be transformed by silence and
the absence of all the things
on which we have relied,
because we know that there is no
place
or people beyond the reach of
grace.
In your marvelous ecosystem, O
God,
we find elemental and
sacramental providence
in water, bread, and wine.
We find ourselves looking for
opportunities
to reflect and become your hands
and feet,
your pipes, pumps, and filters,
in places near and far.
We find ourselves becoming
partners that give
and receive the blessings of our
common humanity,
not as possession or commodity,
but as gift freely offered.
This day, we pray that you would
rescue us
from "I need more!"
and deliver us
toward "More than
enough!" - that you would keep us
a little hungry and a little
thirsty,
so we might better understand
the plight
of our sisters and brothers
everywhere
who regularly find themselves
at the end of the line and the
back of the bus.
This day, as we swallow just a
pinch
and a dip of bread and wine,
and as we remember the power
and gift of clean water,
keep us hungry and thirsty for
righteousness.
Let us borrow words and strength
from
the communion of saints;
let us remember those whose
words and deeds
still mirror grace on the path
we tread.
Recalling the words spoken by
your prophet Amos
and later interpreted by your
servant, Martin,
whose ministry and memory spring
fresh this week,
let justice roll down, not like
January's cold molasses,
but instead like April's
overflowing stream.
Let us be nourished in body,
mind, and spirit,
to be your bread and wine in the
world,
and to be your conduits of clean
water
in all the thirsty places to
which you call us.
These and all prayers we offer,
in the name of the incarnate
one, who pitched his tent
in our wilderness and taught us
to pray
as we join our hearts and voices
together, praying... Our Father.....
© 2013 Todd Jenkins
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