Kyrie eleison*.
It has been a long week in this world, Lord.
Full of violence to body, earth, and spirit.
Lord, have mercy.
Christe eleison.
Bombings.
Shootings.
Explosions.
Flooding.
Earthquakes.
Earthquakes.
Rejection.
Abuse.
Starvation.
Some of it unexpected,
And some of it horribly routine.
Christ, have mercy.
Kyrie eleison.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Come through your Word, Spirit, and Sacraments.
Come and show us that you are Immanuel—God with us.
Immanuel at the musty funeral home.
Immanuel in the sterile hospital room.
Immanuel at the prayer service.
Immanuel in the flooded home.
Immanuel when the computer bears bad news.
Immanuel when the partner keeps manipulating.
Immanuel when there is no rice or bread.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Come and bring your new heavens and new earth.
Come and turn swords into plowshares.
Come and wipe every tear from our eyes.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on us!
*Kyrie eleison means “Lord have mercy” in Greek and is an
ancient liturgical prayer.
Personal image taken on Iona, Scotland, January 2013.
