From the Four Winds

‘So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; someone on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, “Look! Here is the Messiah!” or “There he is!”—do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, “Look! He is in the wilderness”, do not go out. If they say, “Look! He is in the inner rooms”, do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. ‘Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see “the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven” with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:15-31

Many of our Indigenous traditions have stories about the four winds. Each has a purpose and a unique personality, sharing in the healing of the world and gathering all creation together as one. We live in a season, when it feels like we are being pulled in four directions at once, not brought together but being torn apart. Jesus understood how his ministry had undone the familiar hierarchy of life and faith. He knew they thought the end of all life was near. We know how that feels as well. We are reminded that we are all in the hands of the angels, who gather us all together and continue to bring us safely into the sacred circle where God abides.

Loving Creator, your charge angels with our care

you find us safe shelter and rest at our journey's end

and hold us as we travel rough roads and dark nights.

We tend to panic when the direction isn't clear to us

we seek to blame others and seek to damage others

yet you are walking with us even as we fall apart.

Remind us Lord, of the steadfastness of your love

today, make us faithful and hopeful again in you

and give us your peace as we walk through these times. Amen.