LBW #205, "Now the Silence"
Devotion
Now the silence, now the peace, now the empty hands uplifted;
Now the kneeling, now the plea, now the Father’s arms in welcome;
Now the hearing, now the pow’r, now the vessel brimmed for pouring;
Now the body, now the blood, now the joyful celebration;
Now the wedding, now the songs, now the heart forgiven leaping;
Now the Spirit’s visitation, now the Son’s epiphany,
Now the Father’s blessing. Now. Now. Now.
Waiting for Christmas dinner, for Easter brunch, for the birthday cake…how hard it is to wait for a feast and celebration. We are not a culture gifted at patience. Reading through the words of this hymn, it sounds like a child demanding food: “now, now, now!” Perhaps this is not by accident – for we are the children of God, making demands yet dependent on the providing of our heavenly parent.
The feast is now. The body, the blood, the heart forgiven leaping – all given and shed for you, now. Come and see!
Prayer
Almighty God, you give us daily bread and all that we need for life. Feed us with your living bread, that we may know your mercy and your steadfast love, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.