the church of the
ascension
in the city of
new york
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Saturday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Psalm 85:1-7
Ezekiel 37:21-28
John 11:45-53
"God, give me forgiveness." "God, give me peace." "God, grant me salvation." "God, answer my prayers!"
We all seek God for something at different times in our lives. Where's the proof He is listening? Where is the tangible evidence that He does answer us? I have not noticed anyone standing at the top of theEmpire State Building
It is hard for me not to look for ultra-obvious signs because I so want the answers to be that simple. Sometimes I do not want to have to pay so much attention. I want it bold and clear!
Nevertheless, I wonder... Maybe God's way of answering us has not changed from the seemingly overt ways described in so many stories in The Bible. Maybe in our complicated, techno-savvy lives we have just lost our ability to recognize His answers. Isn't it possible that the modern conveniences of travel and communication that we take for granted such as, airplanes, cars, telephones, and the internet could all be part of God's master plan for bringing the world together? What if God continually gives us the tools we have been praying for so that we may become one world united and our eyes just are not open enough to see them?
Also, what about the answers to my personal concerns? Is it possible forgiveness came when God welcomed me back into his home by bringing me to Ascension? Perhaps He brought peace to me partly in the form of my new apartment, which has become my safe place. I have a feeling my salvation comes in the joy I get out of being an uncle to my niece and nephew.
Maybe God is working as hard as He can to answer our prayers and bring us together and we just need to pay more attention.
Ezekiel 37:21-28
John 11:45-53
"God, give me forgiveness." "God, give me peace." "God, grant me salvation." "God, answer my prayers!"
We all seek God for something at different times in our lives. Where's the proof He is listening? Where is the tangible evidence that He does answer us? I have not noticed anyone standing at the top of the
It is hard for me not to look for ultra-obvious signs because I so want the answers to be that simple. Sometimes I do not want to have to pay so much attention. I want it bold and clear!
Nevertheless, I wonder... Maybe God's way of answering us has not changed from the seemingly overt ways described in so many stories in The Bible. Maybe in our complicated, techno-savvy lives we have just lost our ability to recognize His answers. Isn't it possible that the modern conveniences of travel and communication that we take for granted such as, airplanes, cars, telephones, and the internet could all be part of God's master plan for bringing the world together? What if God continually gives us the tools we have been praying for so that we may become one world united and our eyes just are not open enough to see them?
Also, what about the answers to my personal concerns? Is it possible forgiveness came when God welcomed me back into his home by bringing me to Ascension? Perhaps He brought peace to me partly in the form of my new apartment, which has become my safe place. I have a feeling my salvation comes in the joy I get out of being an uncle to my niece and nephew.
Maybe God is working as hard as He can to answer our prayers and bring us together and we just need to pay more attention.
Christopher Montella (2001)
