05-05-20

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 5, 2020
Scripture: Acts 1:14
…all [the disciples] were united in their devotion to prayer, along with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Thought for the Day: I often overlook this verse in the Book of Acts. There is a tendency to focus on the Ascension of Jesus (earlier in chapter 1) and then jump to the Day of Pentecost (chapter 2). Can you imagine what it was like for Mary the mother of Jesus? Her son had been tortured and executed. He was dead and in the grave for three days, and then news comes that he has been raised. It doesn’t sound as if Mary got much quality time with her son before the Ascension. In that sacred time of waiting for the coming Spirit, she was invited into the inner-circle of his followers – “united” in a commitment to prayer. What were Mary’s prayers like in that moment? For a mother whose emotions had run the gamut in a rather short period of time, what were her petitions and supplications? We all probably hold Mary in high regard, but she was very human – a mother – and not just the mother of Jesus, but the mother of Jesus’ siblings. Tradition tells us that James, the brother of Jesus, was killed for his faith. That possibility must have been weighing heavy upon her heart. When your prayers are this mixed bag of poetry and gibberish, beauty and blunt emotion, sensible requests and selfish laments, remember that you are in excellent company.

Prayer: Thank you for meeting me in this space, O Generous Spirit. Thank you for having no expectations in regard to the words I utter or the span of my silence. Thank you for coming and sitting with me as I seek to unite with you in this time of prayer. Amen.

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