Chotard Doll

Dear Friends,

“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.”
—Psalm 33,v 1.

I find myself grieved these days at the deep political divisions which separate us. Suddenly the gap between the two parties has become a huge crevice, impossible to cross. And the ramifications reach down to everyday living, dividing households and alienating friendships.

In Matthew’s gospel today, Jesus “had compassion for [the crowds] because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” —Matt 9:36.

That sounds like us.

But we are not without a Shepherd. We get harassed and helpless when we falter in our belief that God is with us. He has equipped us with all the tools we need for building up the body of Christ.

We are the architects, and the gifts we are given can help build the bridges we need. The Church, that is all of us who follow Christ, is a voice the world needs to hear.

Ephesians today reminds us that each of us was given grace according to the measure of God’s gift, and lists some of the active ways to build bridges: prophets, evangelists, teachers. (Ephesians 4: 7, 11-13). Those are individual gifts and we may be called to fill one of  those roles.

But all of us have a common gift to offer: prayer.

Don’t underestimate the power of prayer, a gift and responsibility we all have. As we read and learn about the policies of our country, we are educated in the specific ways to pray for the presence of the Holy Spirit in the minds and hearts of those on both sides of the aisle.

And prayer is a strong bridge, built by an Architect we can trust.

Pray for “peace within your walls and security within your towers.” 
—Psalm 122, v.7

Faithfully,

—Chotard