Reflections: When the Prophet Elijah was facing the hardships of persecution, he sought to withdraw to safety (dare we say run away?) – although with good reason. We may not be facing persecution, but many are facing disaster and suffering. Elijah’s story is a reminder that life in the service of God can be hard and that faith is not a guarantee of an easy life. In times of extreme difficulty, including natural disasters, it is good to remember that just as in this story, God is not necessarily in the acts of nature such as fire or earthquake as their direct cause. However, we can believe that God is present in our circumstances as a still small voice. Even in the face of hardship, God calls us into the world in mission to share the message of compassion, love and hope, not only in words, but in our love and good deeds.
Prayer:
Floods,
Fires,
Droughts,
Earthquakes,
Landslides,
Hurricanes, typhoons, tornados and cyclones,
The world tosses and turns us,
It throws us challenges and troubles,
It leaves us with struggles and suffering,
And you are not in these things,
At least not as the cause,
But as Immanuel – God with us,
For you are with us and all who struggle
Bring your comfort, God,
Floods,
Fires,
Droughts,
Earthquakes,
Landslides,
Hurricanes, typhoons, tornados and cyclones,
The world tosses and turns us,
It throws us challenges and troubles,
It leaves us with struggles and suffering,
And yet, you are not in these things,
At least not as the cause,
But you are present as the still small voice which sends us back into the world,
To share your message of hope,
And to live compassion and love to all in need.
Gather your people to join with you in your caring,
Opening hearts and minds in compassion.
Christ,
You lead us to see all as neighbours,
And command us to love them as ourselves.
You truly are God with us,
This is why we pray.
Amen