December 8 - The Three Courageous Agents
Matthew 2:1-12 | Drew Theological School
Today, in "the Little Town of Betlhem" violence has broken out over the question of who belongs, and who should have power in the land.
When Jesus' mother, Mary, was pretty far along in her pregnancy (the point when doctors today might tell her not to travel), the question of who belonged and who had power was also being rased. A census was ordered to determine who was in the land. King Herod, upon hearing that there was a baby who might threaten his line of succession and access to power, called in Wise Men to determine his location and report it back to him. As it turned out, the three Wise Spies were not loyal agents. They turned on Herod, and turned away from Herod and worshiped the baby instead. Their act - the decision to turn away from the leader of their time and do what might secure peace and life instead - was an act the required courage. Today, we, too, ask for courage as we face challenges that are easier to ignore. |
God,
You ask for our courage to protect the powerless but we prefer to remain safe, preserving ourselves for future challenges. You ask us to speak out for justice but we whisper, in case we are heard. You ask us to stand up for what is right, but we would rather blend in to the crowd You ask us to have faith, when doubting seems so much easier. Lord forgive our calculated efforts to follow you, only when it is convenient to do so, only in those places where it is safe to do so, only with those who make it easy to do so. Together we pray God forgive us and renew us; Inspire us and challenges us So that we might risk the journey, to your kingdom with you. *Prayer from United Network for Justice & Peace in Palestine & Israel |
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