Faith and Fear

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what he had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.” He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer walked about openly among the Jews, but went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the wilderness; and he remained there with the disciples. John 11:45-54

Loving Creator you made us for love

instilled us with a faith to move mountains

baptized us with your life giving spirit

and send us stars to guide us on our way.

We live in a time of encroaching nations

fear and safety have replaced our faith

the mighty and the greedy try to overrun

the lands where your people dwell.

The religious leaders conspired about you

yet even in death your love defeated them

you rose victorious from shame and fear

and promise us all new life now and forever.

Help us to choose faith and love today

as world's collide and strife is everywhere

let us be your peace and your promise

so that others may know your presence today. Amen.