Praying for Ethiopia
As a people of faith we have no greater power than the power of prayer. With prayer we can extend our love and support to people half a world away. With that in mind we invite you to take the next 5 minutes to pray for the people of Ethiopia right here at the computer.
Reading: Exodus 17:5-6
The LORD answered Moses, "Go over there in front of the people, along with some of the elders of Israel, holding in your hand, as you go, the staff with which you struck the river. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb. Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink." This Moses did, in the presence of the elders of Israel.
Reflections from Ethiopia
The road to Egypt was long and the journey wearisome. Joseph walked in front to show the way, and Mary walked behind with Salome, who had followed them to Egypt.
Sometimes Mary carried the child on her back, sometimes on her shoulder, and sometimes in her arms, and sometimes Salome carried him in turn.
Mary would set him down on the ground to walk by himself, and he would walk a little way at a time, holding the hem of her skirt. Then he would lift up his arms as children do who ask their mothers to carry them, and Mary would pick him up and kiss and carry him again.
Joseph's heart grew tired because of the length of the road. "I am too old," he said. "I cannot go on."
But Mary put the child into his arms, and Joseph lifted him onto his shoulder, and he forgot that he was tired. He kissed the child from his head to his feet and went on again with new strength.
Closing Prayer
Lord,
With all the things you ask us to carry,
And all the useless things we pick up and decide to bring along,
We might be tempted not to carry you.
Yet it is only when we carry you that we have strength for the road,
We have learned that from our lives,
And from our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia who have given us this parable.
Lord we ask you to remember them today.
Their road is harder than ours,
Because they struggle to take care of the body and the spirit.
We have reflected on the scourge of AIDS among them and their loved ones.
We have remembered the desperate search for water,
That follows the Ethiopians as it followed Moses when he and the people of Israel walked through the desert.
As we continue on our pilgrimage to Sydney and World Youth Day,
Help us to remember that your cross is in Ethiopia.
Give us the faith to pray that your resurrection may be there as well.
Amen