March 22, 2021
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis
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.
Today’s prayer
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