Prayers Advent Reflections

Saturday

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5  
Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26; Psalm 147; Matthew 9:35-10 :1, 5a, 6-8

Peace becomes possible when we accept that the world is made up of fallible and sinful individuals at every level of society, and we are, in fact, no different. It's a tremendously difficult truth to accept because it disrupts our impulse to axe the world into two clean halves: the good, who are with us, and the bad, who are not.

Ours is a world that thrives on such division and profits from the pain it causes. But Christ calls us to be People of God, not people of the world. People of God know there is no "us" and "them." We are all sinful, fallible and wounded. Yet, our brokenness has been met and transformed by grace. Like recognizes like, and we meet the world as it is, as we are, transformed and transforming, with the only remedy strong enough to heal our fragmentation – love, poured into our hearts. Peace becomes possible when we meet one another with the same mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation that we ourselves have received.

Bonny Bobka, MTS, BCC
System Director, Spiritual Care & Mission Operations

Hospital Sisters Health System

Pause

How might you partner with God's mercy to bridge the visible divides in your community?

Pray

God of the Universe, Creator of Light and Dark: You have formed us together as one body to proclaim Your peace. Draw us beyond our own narrowness to recognize Christ within ourselves and one another. Help us to choose unity – humility over pride and patience over anger. Make in us Your dwelling place, O God, that we may be worthy builders of Your Kingdom and true instruments of Your grace. Amen.