Walking With My Brother

I’m feeling very little in this time, Lord, as though You in a holy chastisement have sent all us squabbling children Into a sort of global time-out,

Restrictions, like when I was a child and someone else was in control of my life.

I gave in back then to my parents authority. I wasn’t one to talk back or rebel.

That came later.

Back then, though, I submitted to their authority. And there were some important lessons even though they wouldn’t adhere until later.

What do You have in mind for us now, Father? What lessons are we to take from this time suspended, alone, with You, centered on You?

Will we find You waiting patiently for our attention?

Will You run out to meet us who have been lost for so long? We, who now want to return home?

Will we run to meet others with You? Embrace them as You would do? Clothe them as You would with the finest robes? Place jewels upon their hands?

Or will we shun them still? Awaiting their submission, demanding first that their penitent hearts seek forgiveness,

Will we withhold the mutual giving love of Your Holy Spirit?

Until when, Father?

When do we move on from the little things of our smallness, from the pettiness of our human ways,

How do we learn to reach out for the greatness of Your Being? How do we learn to love, to do great things, in any other way, but through You?

Be with all of us, now, Holy Lord.

In our aloneness, take our eyes, as we watch and await Your triumphant entry into our holy city this Palm Sunday,

Take our hands, Holy Lord, and teach us Your ways.

Take our hearts and show us Your humility.

Take our strength that we might know Your authority,

Take our pride that we might seek Your forgiveness,

Take our being, Father, that we may be one again with You.

Then continue to hold our hands along the Way. Show us how to accept Your forgiveness for our sin. Guide us as we grow strong in Your ways. Teach us to love through You. Show us how to be Yours first.

And, when we find again that small, tender child, Father, the child You created us to be, lead us through the Cross of Your Son, our brother, Jesus Christ, to once again embrace the world.