“Now Thank We All Our God”
That’s reasonably easy to do when things are going well; not so simple in challenging days.
Imagine living in the 1600s, invaded by outsiders with many dying all around you due to plagues. Penning a song of thankfulness in the midst of such times would be a challenge.
Benjamin Pratt shares some wonderful perspective of a 17th Century saint who did exactly that. In the article “Faith in a Pandemic: ‘Now thank we all our God’ ” (HERE) we read of Martin Rinkart, a German Lutheran clergyman and author of hymns who endured much over a lifetime. Inspiring!
At the end of the article are these prayerful words that resonate:
“… May we remember those who will lose work and have no monetary cushion. When we cannot embrace our loved ones, let us seek new ways to be the a loving embrace of God to our neighbors. Amen”
Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!
P.S. Want to hear the song “Now Thank We All Our God”? One rendition is HERE
Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 20, 2023:
- Genesis 45:1-15 and Psalm 133
- Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 and Psalm 67
- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
- Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: This season will likely find increasing numbers of folks looking for food, presenting opportunities to
- share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
- check with your faith community about upcoming opportunities to feed community members
- volunteer to help with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
- find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items
- share financial gifts and/or volunteer time with organizations helping alleviate childhood hunger. One such organization in the Cincinnati area (a CP favorite) is Whole Again (HERE)
NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE
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