love

loving reflection

/ Eric Mathews / Leave a comment
Loving you, O God,
   brings its own reward here on earth,
   as well as the eternal reward of heaven.
And failure to love you,
   even when we can offer a thousand excuses,
   brings its own punishment.
By becoming mirrors of your love,
   by wearing the mask of your likeness,
   and by allowing you to make us perfect,
   we can know the joy of heaven,
   even while we abide here on earth.
Our consciences are sullied by our many sins;
   cleanse them,
   that we may reflect your infinite goodness.

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True Hospitality

/ Eric Mathews / 2 Comments
God of the Widow at Zarephath,
God of Joseph the Forgiver,
we stand in awe of people
   who showed hospitality
   in the midst of sacrifice and betrayal.
Take us deep into the heart of hospitality.
Help us to understand
   that the generosity the world needs
   often demands sacrifice on our part.
Be with those who have never known
   a table blessed by laughter and welcome,
   who have seldom heard affirmations
   and who do not know your abiding love.
Remind us, O God, that we are to set many tables,
   to speak blessings often and to be your love in the world.
In the name of Christ we pray. Amen

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love in proximity

/ Eric Mathews / Leave a comment
O God, it is easy to love the whole world,
  but hard to love the person one works next to;
O God, it is easy to campaign for world peace,
  but hard to contribute to the peace within my own home;
O God, it is easy to be fascinated with some new truth,
  and miss you in the thing I have known for so long;
O God, it is easy to share my home and possessions with people I like.
  Teach me how to be generous towards others.
Enable me today to say something,
  or do something that will make a difference to the discouraged,
  to the inexperienced, to the despairing.
Let no selfish concern with my own affairs shut me off from any today.
For your love’s sake.

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