Litanies & Prayers

By wind’s pillar of cloud, by flame’s column of fire, do we live and move toward journey’s unseen home.

We are coming from slavery, yet with bones grown accustomed to imperial protection.

Whose memory shall we privilege; whose purpose confirm?

In that region there were shepherds, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Keeping watch. In darkest night.

Then an angel stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around, and they were terrified.

Narrator: Shortly before he turned toward Jerusalem, where he knew a confrontation would erupt, Jesus told his disciples, “If you want to become my followers, deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me.”

First voice: Is it OK if I’m just a believer and not a follower?

Second voice: Such negativity! Why didn’t Jesus accentuate the positive?

Into this House of Memory we gather with our young to bless them on their way. As with the Israelites, it is a journey of many stages. Hear these instructions, sons and daughters of promise:

The road to Freedom lies outside the border and bond of empire.

The escape begins in the shivering dark of urgent haste, creeping past sentries, no bounty for provision, no destination save that spoken by the wind. And you will have cause to ask:

As he came near and saw Jerusalem, Jesus wept.

As do we.

When he comes near Washington, and Ferguson, and Asheville, Jesus weeps.

Happy are those who walk in the Way of Beauty, harnessed in the Bridle of Mercy and according to the Weal of Justice.

In this Law I delight! May it rule soul and soil and society alike.

From Creation’s Promise to Redemption’s Assurance, may Your Faithful Word leap from our lips and exclaim with our limbs.

In the year now ending, many have passed from this mortal life: most, whose names we do not know; some, whose lives we admired; a few, who were dearly beloved. With the calendar’s turn we also recall hopes and dreams that have frayed and failed. Some will be forgotten entirely; some will linger with regret for a season; but some still threaten to unravel us.

Hear, Oh Promise of Bethlehem, the aches that bind our hearts and smother our dreams.

With the Magi, we set our sights on distant lights that lead to virgin hope.

In the land of sky, with eyes’ consent
To bless majestic firmament
Descend to every heart’s lament

Of thee, O Christ, I sing.

Fill all thy saints with gentleness,
With patient passion, humbleness
Now walk in paths of blessedness

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?

In the Land of Bounty my name will be spoken.

How long must I bear pain in my soul,
and have sorrow in my heart all day long?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Speak, O people of the Promise: What is the character of your faith?

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Heb. 11:1)

Faith is not belief in spite of the evidence.