The Voice of Water

Reflection:

The church always remembers Jesus’s baptism on the first Sunday after the Epiphany.  By doing so, we are all also called to remember our own Baptisms and the life into which the waters call us to live.  As hard as this week has been – with the news as bad as it gets – it is a perfect time to remember our baptism, and re-commit to our calling – as Christians and as the Church – to be the ones who proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ the beloved son of God to a hurting world.

A prayer for the nation’s way forward
by Jimmie Hawkins, director of the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness in D.C.)

God of justice, love and hope,

So many Americans, and people around the world, have hearts that are saddened and minds that are in shock.

This country has been an inspiration on the right of people to self-governance, and yet on Wednesday all of that fell apart. American democracy has been a model for numerous countries and changed the course of world history. But this week democracy came under brutal attack and in the aftermath we find ourselves in danger of self-destruction and implosion from within.

Help us to come together as a nation and realize that any political and ideological differences are negligible and can be overcome. Lead us as only you can to live in acceptance of each other’s differences and united by our common allegiance to you and to nation. Help us to go forward with a new determination to learn from our mistakes, to overcome our divisions and advance to being a better nation.

Please use the United States as an example of a country that is determined to become more compassionate, just and democratic. A nation where justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream. A nation determined to promote peaceful engagement for all people.

Amen.