A Call to Prayer

O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you
as the day rises to meet the sun.

What a wonderful sentiment for the beginning of each new day.  Whatever darkness may have cloaked me through the night, this simple greeting reminds me that 'this is the day the Lord has made.'  As morning breaks, the sun will eventually shine over the horizon once more.  God has done his part, and calls me to "rise up" and meet him in this work of new creation.  Amazing.

The lessons for February 22 (p. 154 of Common Prayer) are right on time for me.  The reading of Psalm 108 calls me to "wake up" and speak out with words of confession, proclamation, and praise.  Why?  "Because (God's) loving-kindness is greater than the heavens and (God's) faithfulness reaches to the clouds."  This is the God who saves us and answers our cries, says the psalmist. 

The reading from Genesis continues the Joseph narrative.  His master saw that the Lord was with him...which seems to change the entire course of Joseph's misfortune.  It makes me question what others might see in you or me, were we ever stripped of the security of our relationships or dazzling accessories.  Would they see the Lord, or just a more desperate, pitiful version of myself?  Like many of us, Joseph had other personal attributes that he could fall back on in order to make his way in the world, but as the Scriptures are quick to 'reveal,' relying on something as shallow as charm or good looks alone will get you in an even bigger heap of trouble (39:6-19).  A better plan is revealed in the reading from Hebrews: without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (11:6).   

And how about that quote from Catherine de Hueck Doherty?  We must make the other person aware we love him.  If we do, he will know that God loves him.  He will never hunger again.  I was not familiar with dear Catherine until now, but this makes me wonder what else she had to say!  Just moments ago, I had a living reminder come into my office to affirm the truth of that message.  Acknowledging my own sin, I find it much easier to ask God to communicate his love for others so I won't have to follow through with it myself.  The problem is, they're still hungry and I go home none the wiser.

Soon, we'll be gathering together for our Ash Wednesday service.  It is a fine time for confession, and the acknowledgement that we are dust.  Thank be to God, who stoops to meet us there at ground level, and who is prepared to blow the breath of new life once again. 

What wondrous love is this, O my soul!