Pilgrim’s Progress Chapter 2
Pilgrim’s Progress, Chapter Two by Rev. Deacon Kate Wisz
These are the concluding words from Rev. Deacon Kate Wisz’s sermon last Sunday and an encouragement to place ourselves intentionally in proximity to others stories.
“Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and The Legacy Sites, speaking at Tulane University, with Laurene Powell Jobs, explained that in order to understand a person’s story, there has to be proximity. He said when you are close enough to hear their song, then a relationship begins, there is an openness to mercy, the interaction is no longer a face off, but a coming together of two human beings, made in the image of God, loving their neighbor as themselves.”
AND The Prayers of the People -composed by Deacon Kate for our closing eucharist at St. John’s Episcopal church in Montgomery:
God who sent your child to hang on a cross for the sins of all humankind, be with and amongst us as we endeavor to model the world you would have us create, one of justice and mercy.
Jesus Christ, be with us and hear our prayer.
Almighty and powerful God wipe away tyranny, give those in authority the ability to know the path to greatness in your eyes is through care of the least among us.
Jesus Christ, be with us and hear our prayer.
Lord of all ages who has seen and known every conflict ever waged in this world of your creation, help all of humankind move swiftly to the time when the wolf shall live with the lamb, the cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together, and young children will live safely among serpents as the whole earth will be full of the knowledge of you, Lord.
Jesus Christ, be with us and hear our prayer.
God who led the Israelites out of Egypt as a pillar of cloud by day and as a pillar of fire by night, who has been present with pilgrims Egeria, Margery, and so many others, be with us, guide us as we wrestle like Jacob with the Anglo-Saxon myth, the sinful practice of slavery, and the ever-present impact of those beliefs and practices on our community at St. Matthew's and Hillsborough. Hold us in our discomfort, let us see the manna you provide, keep us free from false resolution.
Jesus Christ, be with us and hear our prayer.
You who are no stranger to the cries of your people who are in distress. Open our eyes and ears to the laments of immigrants and trans youth as they bear the brunt of targeted attacks. Bring our awareness to the tribulations of our sisters and brothers across the globe in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, The Sahel, Myanmar, and Syria. Move our hearts to find ways to welcome the stranger and feed the hungry.
Jesus Christ, be with us and hear our prayer.
Greeter of all who have departed this earth, welcome to your heavenly kingdom those we now see and know memorialized and honored at the Legacy Museum, the victims of lynchings, those who were killed in their witness to a demand for civil rights. May they know the joy and glory of your presence.
Jesus Christ, be with us and hear our prayer.
The Rev. Kate Wisz
