WOV 718, “Here in This Place, Gather Us In”
Devotion
Jesus gathered around himself an impressive array of what we might tend to consider misfits or outsiders. These were not the people at the center of society. Instead, they were those on the margins, people whom the powerful tend to forget: the blind, the lame, lepers, women, Samaritans, tax collectors, prostitutes; that is, people considered unclean by those with religious, political and economic power.
At the same time, Jesus invited those at the center of society to follow him as well: religious leaders like Nicodemus, political leaders like Pilate and the rich young man. In “Gather Us In,” Marty Haugen captures the ridiculousness of Jesus’ attempt at gathering a new, inclusive community of both lost and forsaken, blind and lame and rich and haughty, proud and strong.
Prayer
Gathering God, we call to mind before you those it would be easy to forget: the lost, the forsaken, the rich, the haughty, the poor, the sick, the young, the old, the abused, the abuser, the imprisoned, the addicted; and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy in your companionship. Amen. (LBW #181, rev.)