24 Mar 2020
Our spirit is perplexed about many things, but we live in faith, hope and the knowledge-of-God. A friend in Maryland mentioned in a funny moment “God has a wicked sense of humor” this coronovirus they said is keeping-families-at-home it may bring them-back-together, tis what the family needs
This presiding-bishop see’s the value in this funny thought. Families no longer dine at the dinner-table, they do-not-communicate, Mom text her daughter upstairs to tell her dinner-is-ready, she rushes downstairs phone-in-hand grabs her plate and rushes back upstairs. Dad does not disturb his son on the all a important-Xbox, ESPN is now showing replays he has already knows the scores, thus he goes online with in the next room
In this Lenten season we look back at the words of the blind hymn writer Fanny J. Crosby in which she reaches out. Blind at the age-7 she could not see the beauty of the world, but she knew there was one constant and asked “Jesus keep me near the cross” perhaps as we look at this-linage we too should look-to-the-cross, it might-just bring us closer-to-God. Here she pleads “Near the cross O trembling soul, Love and mercy found me ”
Corono-19 demands to shelter in place (SIP) it could be a good time to draw us nearer to the cross understanding its love. At the foot of the cross perhaps that husband can just walk the corridors-of-his-home and tell his wife he loves her, holding her in his arms to remind her. She too can proclaim, perhaps they can both walk into the children room and let them know they are loved, perhaps once again they can find space-at-the-dinner table, or play a game of scrabble together, perhaps, God wicked sense of humor is working, perhaps, new family-relationship can begin again. Hear Mrs. Crosby again, “Near the cross O Lamb of God, Bring it scenes before me Help me walk from day to day, with it’s shadows ore me”
While we are saddened by what’s upon us, we are assured that God will deliver us as we climb steadfastly to his cross. Hear Fanny one last time
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait, Hoping trusting ever Till I reach the golden strand, just beyond the river
The full text follows
Jesus keep me near the cross, there’s a precious fountain
Free to all the healing streams, Flows from Calvary’s mountain
Chorus
In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever
Till my ruptured soul shall find, Rest beyond the river
Near the cross O trembling soul, Love and mercy found me
There’s a bright and morning star, Shed it’s beams around me
Near the cross O Lamb of God, Bring it scenes before me
Help me walk from day to day, with it’s shadows ore me
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait, Hoping trusting ever
Till I reach the golden strand, just beyond the river
Abp. Hartley, Presiding Bishop of the ACW
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