We’ve talked quite a bit about ‘saltiness’ and being ‘light’ these last couple of months. And while too much repetition can dull the senses, let us risk one more prayerful reflection for the sake of the church. This week, we join together in praying that whatever might dilute the tanginess of a life lived out of love and whatever might press us to hide away the lamp of good works would be overcome by heaven’s care. Let us pray together these words adapted from Ernest Campbell.
As we look to the world within we are prompted to lay our many needs before you Father. In the brilliance of our Savior’s birth, his entrance into our dim world, we ask for power to overcome whatever in us runs counter to his love, and for courage to be loyal to the light he came to share.
May his lowliness curb our status-seeking,
his humility melt away our pride,
his purity condemn our lust,
his love for people shame the love we waste on things and ideas,
his sense of mission challenger our aimlessness and steady our passions.
Give us feeling for those whose lot in life is harder than our own, and a particular concern for those who live and dies as though Christ has not come, who do not know at the heart of things love reigns, and heaven cares.
All this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.