Innocent as Doves

Jesus said, “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:16-22 

Innocent as Doves

Loving God who breathed life into all

giving us the capacity to daily choose

innocence and wisdom, love and hate

in a world that is filled with wolves.

We live in scary, unsettled times

and it seems as if evil is winning

yet you still send us two by two

and empower us to bring healing.

Let our motivation be for love alone

let our hearts move to forgiveness

make us those vessels of possibility

that grants the world hope again.

Strengthen us for the coming days

when violence happens may we be peace

when ridicule mounts let us always pray

and when things settle, let us see your face. Amen.