For the refugees, migrants, and displaced persons of this world, Lord, hear our prayer, and let our cry come to you. O God, do not be silent; Do not keep still nor hold your peace, O God. God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, Have mercy upon them. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy upon them. God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier … Continue reading A Litany of Prayer for Refugees, Migrants, and Displaced Persons
A few days ago I posted A Litany of Prayer for Aleppo. I was and still am heartbroken and overwhelmed, maybe even possessed, by what is happening in Aleppo. Omran has become for me an icon of that tragedy. His face and silence are ever before me; waiting, questioning, and convicting. I could not not pray. I also know, however, that Aleppo is just a microcosm of … Continue reading Aleppo Doesn’t Need Our Prayers
How long, O Lord, how long? There is no peace in Aleppo. There is no peace in Syria. Every night the people flood their beds with tears and drench their couches with weeping. Their eyes waste away with grief. Their spirits shake with terror. You are the one who took them out of the womb. They have been entrusted to you ever since they were … Continue reading A Litany of Prayer for Aleppo
“Flee to Egypt.” With those words echoing in his ears Joseph got up, took Jesus and Mary by night and went to Egypt. Regardless of whether this story really happened the way Matthew tells it, it’s not hard to know that it’s true. The names and faces might change but it’s a story that continues to be lived in lands throughout the world today. We’ve … Continue reading Retelling the Flight to Egypt – A Sermon on Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
One option for this coming Sunday’s gospel is the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23). I can no longer hear this story without also hearing the words of poet George Szirtes and the music of Richard Causton. Richard Causton is the composer of the 2015 commissioned Christmas Carol, “The Flight,” performed by King’s College during the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on … Continue reading “The Flight” by Richard Causton and George Szirtes
