Tuesday, December 15, 2009

A Christmas prayer from Bishop Marc


Dear God, the troubles of our world have left many of us speechless. We don’t know how, in the numbness around jobs lost, illnesses we don’t have the resources to cure, a planet imperiled by the accumulated effects of our greed, and the seemingly endless presence of war and violence, to say our prayers. We are lighting candles, though – in our Advent wreaths, quietly, in side chapels of our churches, in our rooms where no one else but You can see. The candle flame is our prayer, wordless but filled with meaning, with petition, hope, and faith. And the candle flame is your answer to our prayer. You lighten our darkness, O Lord. Amen.
--+Marc Californiae

8 comments:

susan s. said...

Amen to this.

Anonymous said...

In hopelessness where else can we turn but to the One who is Hope itself, Amen

susankay said...

Paul -- we here in Durango just had a 102 year old member die. Some are stressed at having to deal with a funeral in the middle of Advent/Christmas, some are saddened and think the family will have somehow experienced a Christmas tainted by death. I would hope they will experience a death "tainted" by the miraculous Birth and Incarnation. Candles, indeed.

June Butler said...

Amen.

Paul said...

Prayers for the departed soul and all who mourn.

MichaelD said...

In the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen!

Ellie Finlay said...

Oh, my.

Wonderful, wonderful prayer.

Mind if I nick it?

Paul said...

Nick away, my dear. It was on our diocesan newsletter; I'm sure +Marc wouldn't mind.