Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Returning with Joy


The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’ At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’ Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’ Luke 10:17-24

Yesterday I began my June five mile swimming challenge to raise money for the American Cancer Society. I am swimming a half mile at a time over the month. Getting in the water, and beginning, I remember and pray the whole time. Water is sacred for me and all Indigenous people as water is life. It gives me so much joy to be in the water, whether a pool a stream or an ocean. It is holy work for me as I pray while I swim. I pray for those who are suffering with cancer and those who are helping them thrive. The world is such away and the only noise is my breathing, and the water splashed while I am kicking. A year ago, it would have been impossible for me to do this and only by the grace of God am I able. And when I see the hand of our Creator healing the world and offering us love and peace despite all odds, I can only be very grateful and filled with joy.

Loving Creator, you brought the world into being
an orb pulled out of the deep waters for our lives
you offer us a place of sanctuary and healing
and restore the joy we lose as we see so much pain.

We feel as if we are sinking like big stones
sinking and struggling to our head up above it all
we thrash around with great fear, anger and hurt
and ache for a time of floating on gentle waters.

Lord, give us your strength and power today
to find the joy you have put deep into our hearts
so we might go out and share your healing love
and be those who rescue those who are sinking. Amen.



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