I often turn to the book, “Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals,” for my own devotional reading. The prayer for yesterday was this:
While we sat in darkness, Lord Jesus Christ, you interrupted us with your life. Make us, your people, a holy interruption so that by your Spirit’s power we may live as a light to the nations, even as we stumble through this world’s dark night. Amen.
The words, “You interrupted us with your life,” took my breath away. Jesus, planned as he was by God, was a total interruption for us and our death dealing ways.
Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus interrupted a teen girl and her assumed powerlessness.
In his birth he interrupted Herod’s assumed power.
In his childhood he interrupted the teachers, amazing them at his understanding.
In his adulthood he interrupted his hometown with his harsh truths.
He interrupted the Pharisees and their narrow understanding of the law.
Jesus interrupted social codes and norms, demons and illness, storms and food shortages.
Jesus even interrupts death.
Come, Lord Jesus, and interrupt us.
Interrupt our fascination with status.
Interrupt our obsessions with guns.
Interrupt our corruption, our cheating, our “every person for themselves” way of life.
Interrupt our fears, our doubts, our hesitation to do what is right.
Interrupt our ways of “othering.”
Interrupt us so much that we no longer see the need to hang on so tightly to the kingdoms we have built, but strive to expand the kingdom you have built.
Interrupt us with the water that splashes as you wash feet.
Interrupt us with broken bits of bread and cups of wine.
Interrupt us with your anguished prayers.
Interrupt us with cock crows, rough wood, and shouts of “Crucify!”
Interrupt us so that we lift our heads, eyes wide and ears open to hear your story, our story, again.
And then…“Make us, your people, a holy interruption so that by your Spirit’s power we may live as a light to the nations, even as we stumble through this world’s dark night.” -In Peace, Pastor Ruth
Let us pray:
We are turning, Lord, to hear you, see you, and know you. You are merciful and kind, slow to anger, rich in blessings. With every twist and turn, lead our steps back to your grace and your mercy. Lead us in your ways of new life, forgiveness, and re-creation. We pray in the name of Christ, the one who reveals your love, Amen.