Description
Imagining the Lectionary: Out of our depth (Advent 3A)
Reflection accompanying image "Ford on North York Moors"
Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God." (Isaiah 35:4) When I used this image recently as an open invitation to prayer I had anticipated responses around the theme of "getting out of our depth". With the many stories of God's people crossing intimidating boundaries in mind, and all the attendant fears and anxieties which such challenges inevitably bring out into the open, I expected to hear prayer which tapped into that very recognisable set of emotions. Instead what I heard was a beautiful prayer asking for courage to get out of our depth. It was the sort of prayer which has surely enabled God's people to cross fearsome boundaries and barriers in the past. It was a prayer which inspired and challenged in equal measure. I can imagine many such prayers being voiced at critical moments during Exodus and Exile, and during the journey of the disciples with Jesus.
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