yes, day 2

Come to Stillness: Take a few minutes to allow your mind and heart to be still before God.

Opening Prayer:
"I belong to the Lord, body and soul," replied Mary, "let it happen as you say." (Luke 1:38 JBP)

Psalm for the Week: Psalm 77

Scripture for the Day: Luke 1:26-38

Reading for Reflection:

Even though we may not fully understand where this response will take us and even though some of us will resist, still God waits for our yes….

     When Mary said yes, she could not have known about the silent night of birth in a stable or the angelic hosts singing and praising God.  Would she have known about the visit to the Temple with twelve-year-old Jesus?  Could she have foreseen that her son would willingly place himself in harm’s way for the sake of others?  Would she have said yes if she had known about the betrayal of her son that would lead to his public scourging or his trip to Calvary and crucifixion?  Mary only knew for certain that if she said yes to God, everything would change.  And so it will be with our yes.

     An old age may end and a new age begin with the yes we speak.  In the places where we give birth to our holy imaginations, God may take root in our hearts.  Impregnated by God’s Holy Word, the wombs of radical hope may yet blossom and bless our efforts to build a world of justice and peace.  Each time we say yes, the Holy Spirit overshadows us and something new comes to birth in us. (Mother Roots by Helen Bruch Pearson)

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

Song for the Week: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, thou long expected Jesus

Born to set thy people free

From our fears and sins release us

Let us find our rest in thee

Israel’s strength and consolation

Hope of all the earth thou art

Dear desire of every nation

Joy of every longing heart

 

 

Joy to those who long to see thee

Dayspring from on high appear

Come thou promised rod of Jesse

Of thy birth we long to hear

O’er the hills the angels singing

News, glad tidings of a birth

Go to him your praises ringing

Christ the Lord has come to earth

 

 

Come to earth to taste our sadness

He whose glories knew no end

By his life he brings us gladness

Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend

Leaving riches without number

Born within a cattle stall

This the everlasting wonder

Christ was born the Lord of all

 

 

Born thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a King,

Born to reign in us forever,

Now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone,

By thine all sufficient merit,

Raise us to thy glorious throne.

Closing Prayer
I have heard your call, my Lord, and respond with a yes that arises from the depth of my being. I know that if I follow close to you, nothing shall be able to separate me from your love. Amen. A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God by Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job)