The Fourth Wednesday of Eastertide

Good morning!

What if in the middle of this pandemic Christian musicians from all over Great Britain decided to figure out how to sing together, each in the privacy of his/her own home, a blessing, a benediction, a prayer, over and on the behalf of the church universal?

And what if your lovely spouse showed you the video result of this collaboration and encouraged you daily to share it with your church? And what if you didn't, even though she's very wise about these matters?

Further, what if you went to a virtual Session meeting and Ward Palmer said, "I have something for us to watch that will be a great way for us to start our meeting"? And what if what Ward wanted to show the Session was the same video your lovely spouse has been encouraging you to share with the church?

And even further, what if this sung blessing consists in part of St. Patrick's Prayer, the familiar benediction from Numbers 6, and the assurance from Romans 8 that God is for us?

What if? In my case, eventually it will become clear that I'd be wise to offer this blessing to our church: to each of us and to all of us; for us and from us; from God's needy, scattered people, who are one in Christ, to God's needy, scattered world, toward the day when the "mystery of God's will" is at last realized - "when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." (Ephesians 1:10)

Here's the link. Below are some of the texts incorporated into the song.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PUtll3mNj5U

​St. Patrick's Prayer
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.

Romans 8:31b
If God is for us, who can be against us?

Numbers 6:24-2624 “‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”



Amen.

Charlie