Three small pebbles,
Each one quite different,
Each one found on the same beach,
Each one the material from which the sand
Will, eventually, be made.
The beach itself appears to have its own
Uniformity
Of colour and of grains,
Yet it is an erroneous perception:
For the grains are many colours,
And some coarser, some finer,
Than others.
God of all creation
I look around and think that I see,
That I understand,
Yet you have always more to show me.
With these three pebbles
You remind me of the way creation works.
Within each pebble there are different colours
Caused by different components,
And the effects of crushing or of fire.
To release, once again,
These varied components
And thereby create the soft sand on which I sit,
They must rub against each other
With the movement of the waves,
Until little by little tiny fragments fall away.
Even then the ceaseless movement of
Wave on wave
Will grind them smaller until they
Are as fine as dust.
So, what is it that you help me to understand
Perceive?
The human family is vast and
Varied and yet one.
We are the raw material
With which you build your kingdom.
We are one,
Yet each one is unique.
Each one will suffer,
Each one will lose a little of
Herself, himself
In the rough ravages of time
Yet the fragments
Are themselves a new creation.
We choose to see our differences
But find it much more difficult
To perceive our common
Humanity
And thus we ridicule, deride, abuse
Each other
Because we do not understand.
Remind us that we are –
We are the raw material
That you choose to use
To build your kingdom.
So as we rub against each other,
Apply your soothing oil
Of anointing.
Thus may we be appointed
To serve you and your creation.
Amen
Reading: Acts 9:1-19
StF 401 Come sinners to the gospel feast
Prayers for June by Hazel Parsons
