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Eternal Spirit of gentleness and strength at the heart of all things,
who brings green growth through tiny, new tendrils,
and supports them with love’s everlasting arms.
guide us along our lives’ journeys here as well.
Dwell within us and among us this Easter morning,
as we gather in community to celebrate the victory of life,
even over death itself.
This we know:
the body can be abused, and scourged, and nailed to a cross—
the body can be killed—
but the indwelling Spirit never dies, and our souls are immortal.
Only yesterday, it seemed, we had despaired
of the coming of the promised realm of God;
now, we grasp in our hearts that it is already here!
This morning, we remember that pain, persecution, suffering,
even death,
are not always ends into themselves,
but can be passageways to life more abundant—
if we have the courage to put aside
the mind-narrowing forces of pettiness, prejudice, and hatred.
This morning, O Lord,
renew your dedication within us
to act from our love rather than from our fear.
Renew our faith in the inherent worth and dignity
of all humankind—and remind us
that that means all of us, too.
Remind us that no human branch is ever ultimately separated
from the Tree of Life.
In our moments of defeat and surrender,
turn us away from the paths of revenge, denial, and cynicism,
and guide our eyes toward those eternal truths
spun deeply into the web of life:
Help us to see our wounds as sacred teachings;
help us to grasp the wisdom embodied in the stories
of our own resurrections.
Be with us this day as we gather, O God,
and help us to celebrate the light in our souls
that burns through even the darkest nights
of all the winters we have known;
help us to cherish our green and beautiful planet Earth,
resurrected anew each and every spring.
Amen.
jbs
4/4/99 - 3/23/08
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