God,
As we take this journey
That draws us ever closer to you
Walk with us
Sustain us,
Nurture us.
God, as we go through
The wilderness of lent and of our lives,
Send your manna to us,
give us wisdom to turn from temptation
And your grace to turn to.
God, as we walk through the pot holes of life,
The valleys, the pits of life,
Guide us with your hand
Keep our feet steady,
And our vision on you.
God, whether we choose to give up something for lent
Or do something positive,
Let us not do it out of obligation
Or the tyranny of oughtness,
But out of love for you.
Keep us in your paths of love, mercy and grace.
Lord help us to remember we are not alone
but that we are walking with our fellow/sister travelers . Amen
1 comment:
Abi, Loved your phrase, "tyranny of oughtness." Having grown up in a presbyterian tradition, which has little in the way of ceremony, etc., I was attracted to the Catholicism of most of my college friends (several of whom actually went to mass daily). I liked the traditions, the various rituals, and the option of taking communion daily (and the more "traditional" looking buildings). I even liked that kids were present in the service rather than required to (or at least strongly pointed to) attend the nursery or Sunday School programs. This was also when I first experienced "giving up" something for Lent. However, my fascination received a damper when, at a Palm Sunday service several years later, the priest spoke about which of the upcoming services would "fulfill your Holy Week obligations." All these years later, I still remember the disappointment I felt at the idea that worship should fit into a prescribed formula rather than springing from the desire for a closer relationship with God. It also nudged me back to the Presbyterian church, though I admit to attending more sporadically now that my kids are away from home.
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