I read a great article this morning that Don Zank sent me. It talked about a "Quid Pro Quo" God. The idea of "If I do this....God will do this..." Also known as "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." The article is at http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2010/marchweb-only/19-41.0.html It's title is "Love of Unimaginable Proportions."
It's an appropriate thing to ponder this Holy Week. I'm always amazed when I hear the stories of this week. I particularly love Maundy Thursday. Jesus sharing a meal, his last meal, with his disciples. Locked away in a private room. It's such a contrast to the cross and all that happens on Good Friday.
Jesus washes their feet and gives them a new commandment "Love one another as I have loved you." Love, service, sharing meals, forgiveness, sacrifice. How do we do this for one another without getting caught up in that cycle of "Quid Pro Quo"?
May God bless you this week with the ability to accept Grace and let go of a "Quid Pro Quo" image of God.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Prayer for Today
Prayer for the People of Chile and Asia
by Safiyah Fosua
Terror
Terror
Terrible times!
God of Ages and Generations,
Be with neighbors across the globe,
While it looks like the world is caving in upon itself
And there is nowhere to hide.
Be with Chile
When the aftershocks come without warning
Making mini-missiles of once-harmless things
And any glass that remained falls to join the shards on the ground.
Be with the people of Chile who just suffered one of the worst earthquakes recorded
With the people of Japan and Hawaii and points in between who ran in terror for high ground.
Be with worried relatives and people digging with their hands
As we watch our neighbors search for survivors yet again -- so soon!
Let what we see with our eyes
Move our hearts to compassion,
Our lips to prayer
Our hands to generosity in this time of great need.
Be with us all, O God,
While the earth quakes its discomfort
And mirrors our yearning for your return.
Wrap your arms around Chileans, Asians and Haitians,
People in danger everywhere
People right here.
Remind all of us of your promises
Never to leave us
That we are not forsaken
That our names are carved in the palm of your hand
That we are your beloved.
The earth is quaking.
Things familiar are falling to the ground.
God, be with us all in these
Terror
Terror
Terrible times! Amen.
by Safiyah Fosua
Terror
Terror
Terrible times!
God of Ages and Generations,
Be with neighbors across the globe,
While it looks like the world is caving in upon itself
And there is nowhere to hide.
Be with Chile
When the aftershocks come without warning
Making mini-missiles of once-harmless things
And any glass that remained falls to join the shards on the ground.
Be with the people of Chile who just suffered one of the worst earthquakes recorded
With the people of Japan and Hawaii and points in between who ran in terror for high ground.
Be with worried relatives and people digging with their hands
As we watch our neighbors search for survivors yet again -- so soon!
Let what we see with our eyes
Move our hearts to compassion,
Our lips to prayer
Our hands to generosity in this time of great need.
Be with us all, O God,
While the earth quakes its discomfort
And mirrors our yearning for your return.
Wrap your arms around Chileans, Asians and Haitians,
People in danger everywhere
People right here.
Remind all of us of your promises
Never to leave us
That we are not forsaken
That our names are carved in the palm of your hand
That we are your beloved.
The earth is quaking.
Things familiar are falling to the ground.
God, be with us all in these
Terror
Terror
Terrible times! Amen.
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