Friday, November 6, 2020

The Rev. Anne Williamson

John of the Cross

On Thursday mornings there is a regular Zoom call for the clergy in the Diocese of New Hampshire with Bishop Rob Hirschfeld. Each week we reflect together on our ministry in light of the ever-changing COVID situation in New Hampshire, share best practices and pray together. Yesterday we also reflected together on the election, this time of waiting and the hard, sweet work of the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement in the days, weeks and years to come. Bishop Rob offered this prayer, written in another tumultuous time (16th Century Spain) by Juan de Yepes y Alvarez, better known to us as St. John of the Cross. His prayer resonates with me as I pray for patience in this time of waiting and I offer it to you with my prayers for you, for me, and for our nation.

O Blessed Jesus, grant me stillness of soul in you. Let your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of gentleness, King of peace. Give me control, control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of meekness, want of gentleness, O dear Lord, deliver me. By your own deep patience give me patience, stillness of soul in you. Make me in this, and in all, more and more like you. Amen.

May you know God’s peace today.

Anne

*The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. Galatians 5:22-23