First and Last

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.” Mark 9:30-41 

First and Last

Dear God of the weak and mighty
the one who made each one perfectly
help us, in this time of anxious hearts
to turn and see the struggling behind us.

Help us to give up our place in line
to keep our distance and make room
to listen deeply and from our homes
see the world that cries out for healing.

May we be those who deliver and bring
those who call and write to the lonely
the ones who are strong enough
to give all of our time and gifts away.

Help us, Creator, to put fear aside
facing the dangers of letting go
may we control nothing at all
and give away love always. Amen