I will listen

0:04

O God, Will You Restore Us?

Bifrost Arts

Today is Sunday the 25th of October, beginning the 30th week of Ordinary Time.

Bifrost Arts sing, ‘O God, Will You Restore Us?’. As you come to prayer today, remember the heart of God; God who hears the cries of those in distress.

O God, will You restore us, and grant us Your salvation?

I will hear what God proclaims

The Lord our God proclaims peace

Kindness and truth shall meet

Justice and peace shall kiss

“Here is the fast I choose –

To loosen the bonds of the oppressed and break their chains

Let righteousness and justice go out before you

Then you will call out and I will hear”

Near indeed is His salvation to those who call on Him

He will incline is ear and hear their prayers

Truth shall spring out of the earth

and Justice will rain down from heaven

The Lord will guide you on a righteous path

His vindication will shine down forth as the dawn

Your people will be called repairers of broken walls

making straight the path to proclaim His reign!

4:28

Today’s reading is from the Book of Exodus.

Exodus 22:21-27

You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. You shall not abuse any widow or orphan. If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me, I will surely heed their cry; my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children orphans.

If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not deal with them as a creditor; you shall not exact interest from them. If you take your neighbour’s cloak in pawn, you shall restore it before the sun goes down; for it may be your neighbour’s only clothing to use as cover; in what else shall that person sleep? And if your neighbour cries out to me, I will listen, for I am compassionate.

6:18

Heartmelt

Raphah

The main category of persons whom the Israelites are to protect and defend is “resident aliens”. How does this speak to you of the migrants in our world, our neighbourhoods, our countries? How can we better care for them.

We hear too God’s heart to protect “widows and orphans”. We hear that God hears their cries. How can we better care for those in need of our help such as widows and orphans?

This passage seems to reveal a special relationship God has with the oppressed and marginalised. As you listen again, listen also to the inner movements of your soul... what stirs you?

9:24

Exodus 22:21-27

You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. You shall not abuse any widow or orphan. If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me, I will surely heed their cry; my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children orphans.

If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not deal with them as a creditor; you shall not exact interest from them. If you take your neighbour’s cloak in pawn, you shall restore it before the sun goes down; for it may be your neighbour’s only clothing to use as cover; in what else shall that person sleep? And if your neighbour cries out to me, I will listen, for I am compassionate.

10:54

As this time of prayer comes to a close, pray specifically for those who are oppressed and marginalised. Perhaps you can speak with God about one action you could take in the coming week to hear the cries of the oppressed and help where you’re able.

13:16

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen