Rain hail

Prayers at Morning Prayer

Bangor Cathedral, 22 March 2018

Psalm 40, Exodus 9:13-end Hebrews 12:14-end

“Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. For this time I will cause the heaviest hail to fall that has ever fallen in Egypt from the day it was founded until now, so that you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth.” (Exodus 9)

We begin to look east now,

to see him lifted up

fixed between two thieves

arms out-stretched

crowned with thorns

dice thrown, cloak torn, side pierced

water flowing, and blood.

We begin to look east now,

to see him lifted up,

gathering us all to himself.

We begin to look east now,

to adore.

But storm clouds block our view.

They veil the hill.

We barely see.

Rain hail on our hardened hearts.

Rain hail on our resentments and anger.

Rain hail on our dishonesty and fear.

Rain hail on our selfishness and distractedness.

Rain hail on our boasting and pride.

Rain hail on our hardened hearts

and strike us down

then stretch out your hand

and stop the storm

and scatter the clouds

and raise our eyes

and nail our gaze

through clear sky

on cross and thieves

on crown and dice

on cloak and lance

on arms outstretched

on pierced side

on Zion’s mount

the city of God

the new covenant,

the Crucified,

and light beyond

and stone removed

and dawn

and empty tomb.

Amen.