God in the Works

Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you desire;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labor and not to ask for reward,
except to know
that I am doing your will

My Catholic sister Karen introduced our small group to a small devotional book that was based on The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Ignatius lived primarily during the first half of the 1500s and in his early life became a solder, had his right leg shattered, and during the months and months of healing became a strong follower of Christ, eventually founding the Jesuits. He is one of the many Christians of the past who left for us a legacy and example in their struggle to follow the son of God. The prayer above is attributed to him.

I have found his prayer as more than words and rather a yearning of the heart. Having felt that I have just mechanically served our Lord in the past, I now focus on serving with a new heart and vision. The excitement of youth reminds me of this call and invigorates my service. One example involves my daughter who is now serving Jesus in the bodies of orphaned HIV+ children in Tanzania. It only took her a week to come to start loving everyone and everything there. Her excitement is similar to that of many of the All Souls brothers and sisters I am coming more and more to know. In a recent gathering with some who have a special heart for justice issues, I asked a question that congregants of All Souls will be asked in the near future - How are you seeking the peace of the city? The answers rang loud with concerns and love so deep that I was especially proud to be in the body of believers. Some of the things people were doing included supporting local businesses (e.g. local food, etc.), trying to understand racial dynamics, helping a Mechanicsville resident with some necessary home repair, developing relationships with Amachi mentees, becoming an integral part of the community where they lived, praying, developing and struggling with intentional relationships with Christian and non-Christian co-workers, and making life style changes to speak justice to others. The list goes on. We pray "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done...." The work of the kingdom continues.

Jesus said there were two great commandments - Love God with your entire being and love your neighbor. Our neighbors would have to include our families, our co-workers and/or boss, our clients, our All Souls family, our geographical next door neighbors, those who have no homes, and neighbors whose lives we affect by our choices and behaviors. We soon realize that there is no one who is not our neighbor. We pray as we seek the peace of the city that we will love God with our all, that we will love each other in our community, and that we will love the city, its people and God's creation and all that is in it. The world will know we are Christians by our love.

Father you created me
and put me on earth for a purpose.
Jesus, you died for me
and called me to complete your work.
Holy Spirit, you help me
to carry out the work
for which I was created and called.
In your presence and name -
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Teach us to love you and our neighbor
as you loved us. Amen