Deus Misereatur

Because Christ Is Risen! Colossians 2.6-15 At the beginning of this month, many churches around the U.S., and the world, were saying something significant – something we should be saying all year long: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! But wait! What if Jesus was only “raised” in the hearts of his followers; if only the memory of Jesus was resuscitated and infused into the life-stories of his disciples; if the resurrection of Jesus is just a spring time myth (a rehashing of the Horace/Isis myth); What If all that remains of Jesus is the “spirit” of Jesus; if by “resurrection” we mean only that the timeless-teachings of Jesus still go on; what if the rising of Jesus is only about some fertile freshness blossoming in our hearts? What if!!! Because Jesus is risen from the dead: We Live Different (6-10): Look at all the “walk in him”, “in him” “Rooted…in him” “filled in him” “alive together with him” etc. Because Christ did rise from the dead – body, blood, bones, toenails...

Our God and Father, who has made us your well-loved sons and daughters, we lift up to you our petitions and supplications, appreciating the fact that you know what we have need of before we even ask (Matthew 6.32). O Lord, hear our prayer. We pray for those who are burdened and encumbered with hardships, fears, brokenness, worries and perplexities….Remember them in their need, grant them courage, peace, strength, and be pleased to raise them up to praise and honor you. O Lord, hear our prayer. By your great mercy, please keep safe and sound our people who are in foreign lands…and sustain their families. O Lord, hear our prayer.  Guide the nations of the earth, including the U.S.A., so that all nations may cast off the greed and arrogance that feed unjust wars, oppression and slavery. Please provide economic stability, family harmony, and communal healthiness in this State. And prosper our cities and neighborhoods with hospitality, friendliness, and cooperation that...