e-vo for April 23

Dearest e-votees,

Our hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship aka ELW aka the cranberry hymnal, has a daily lectionary which starts on page 1121.  Today is the Thursday after the 2nd Sunday of Easter so our appointed readings for today are Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19, Isaiah 25:1-5 and 1 Peter 1:8b-12.

Peace,

Karl

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Isaiah 25:4a says:

For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and shade from the heat.  (NRSV)

Those who are impoverished realize that they don't have what they need on their own to survive.  They are willing to seek assistance and shelter (refuge) from those who can help them.  Pride has its place but so does shelter from the elements and food in the belly.

Those who are needy and in distress realize that the circumstances are bigger than they can wrestle their way out of.  They are willing to seek food, funds, clothing and whatever else might tend to their needs:  physical, emotional and spiritual.  They seek refuge.

The truth is all of us are impoverished in one way or another.  All of us are needy and lacking in one way or another.  Martin Luther on the day before his death wrote a note saying "We are all beggars, that is true."  We need help.  We need care.  We need love.  We need respite.  We need refuge.

We need shelter.

There is an Irish proverb that says in the shelter of each other the people live.  Jars of Clay has a marvelous song based on this proverb called "Shelter".  I would invite you to give the song a listen.

God calls us together to be shelter for one another.  It may be hard or even seem impossible with all of the strains and distresses of COVID-19.  But what is impossible for us is possible for God.

Jesus, come into our poverty and our needs and give us shelter.  Help us grow in being shelter for one another.  Amen.