Daily Worship

One big ocean

Fiona Reynolds June 09, 2020 0 1
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Image credit: F Reynolds

2 Corinthians 13: 11-13 (NRSV)

11 Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Near the beginning of corona virus time, the phrase “We’re all in the same boat” was used a lot. Then folks pushed back saying, “No, we’re all in the same storm but we’re in different boats”. What sprung to mind then, and now, is the requirement of all ships’ masters to do whatever they can to save those endangered by the sea. A mutual recognition of the seas’ power obliges, morally as well as legally, all sailors to save another: friend or foe.

What does it mean for each of us having entered corona-virus time in different boats?

What makes one boat more sea-worthy than another?

What if the master of every boat in our current storm was legally obliged to save another?

What does a holy kiss look like right now? How do we embody the peace, grace, love and fellowship of God across the waves and gunwales?

PRAYER:

God of every nation,
remind us of our interconnectedness:
through you,
through our shared seas.
Give us the compassion to look beyond our own guardrails,
to notice those floundering in sinking vessels:
without lifejackets,
without hope.
Give us the courage to see our own abundance,
may we not be afraid to invite others on board:
sharing space,
sharing companionship.
God of every nation,
remind us of our interconnectedness:
may we through peace and grace
share love and fellowship, with all, AMEN.