A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis for March 22, 2021

During these difficult days, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar and members of the New England Conference Extended Cabinet are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week.

You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions.

As I reflected on the tension of the coming Palm & Passion Sunday, this poem of holding together and pulling apart in these days we are living came to mind. It is from “readings from the book of exile” by Pádraig Ó Tuama, © Pádraig Ó Tuama 2012, pp. 77-78.

Hold yourself together and pull yourself apart
 
 Remember that this has passed before
 and that there will be more days
 of plenty…eventually.
 
 Pay attention to your feelings
 keep those feelings sharp.
 Try to hold yourself together
 and pull yourself apart.
 Keep your eyes on the prize
 that you might never gain.
 
 Don’t ignore whatever pain is blooming
 like a flower that you never planted.
 Occupy your hands with kindness.
 Remember you can see, even though this blindness
 is remarkable.
 
 Mark the places that you’re feeling
 mark the spaces where you’re needing held
 mark the evenings that are dark
 and mark the afternoon of coping.
 
 Mark the morning that you waken
 finding mourning has been taken
 to a different part of heartland.
 
 Remember what has passed before.
 Pour your body like the sacramental wine
 pour your blood with loving.
 

Submitted by Rev. Rick McKinley, Director of Congregational Development