Compassion

After a long and arduous campaign, we now know who the next President of the United States will be. Although reactions to the election vary depending on who people voted for, most of my conversations today have been with people feeling deep anxiety about the next four years.

When I’m feeling anxious and uncertain, I often find it helpful to remind myself of what I can count on. Today the old evangelical hymn, “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine” keeps going through my head. So, where can we find “blessed assurance” in the midst of uncertainty? 

First, Jesus is still with us. At the end of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus tells the disciples “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (28:20) Jesus’ presence is not dependent on who wins elections. This is true when life is good, and we don’t feel like we need Jesus. It’s also true when life is challenging, and we feel as if Jesus is absent. Jesus is with us today as he was yesterday and will be tomorrow. Here is a prayer to remind us of God’s continual presence.

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Second, our vocation as Christians remains the same. Whenever we renew our Baptismal Covenant, we commit, with God’s help, to a vocation of service. We promise to “continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,” to “persevere in resisting evil,” to “proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ,” to “seek and serve Christ in all persons,” and to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” This is the life to which we are called at all times and especially in difficult times. Here is a prayer we can pray to remind us of our call to serve.

Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Third, our mission as a parish continues. “Inspired by sacred worship and Jesus’ call to love our neighbor, St. Paul’s welcomes and serves all with a commitment to justice, inclusion and generous hospitality.” This is who we are. This is what we do. We are a people committed to sharing Christ’s love, creating community and striving for justice. People need Jesus’ compassion today. We are the people called to share it.

This Sunday we will gather for worship as we always do. We will pray, sing and share communion together. Both in person and via the livestream, we will form ourselves together as a community of faith, hope and love. Then we will go forth to be Christ’s light in the world. As Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38)