Sunday Stretch: Vol. 156, Epiphany III

Start off your week with a grounded take on Bible, prayer, the world, and your life ...

Dear Friends,

I wrote most of this post to you early this week, prior to the incredible and inspiring protests and marches here in Minneapolis - in dangerously cold weather - on Friday, and before the tragic, heartless, insane beating and then killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a group of masked, armed, bloodthirsty ICE agents, just 5 miles from my home.

I write to you so sad - I feel like I cry every few hours - and also so, so mad. At the many who prepared the way for this gratuitous violence and hatred. At the Christians, Christian leaders, and politicians who stubbornly dig in their heels, who refuse to repent, who insist upon more and more bloodshed, sacrifices poured out to the gods of violence, war, and money.

Pray for Minneapolis, for Minnesota. For Alex’s loved ones. For the eyewitnesses. For the press who were teargassed and pepper sprayed. For the children who see it all and wonder, how they can ever possibly become adults in a world like this. For America. For our churches, embattled and exhausted. For neighborhood leaders who again host vigils and light candles. For brave observers. For the VA Hospital, where I served my chaplaincy internship, and where Alex worked in the ICU. For the woman whom Alex tried to help, who was being assaulted by ICE agents, who then turned their attention to Alex. For the ecosystem of lies and those who profit from them. For justice. For truth. For courage. For love.

Amen.

Hi Readers,

I’m writing to you earlier in the week, and I guess my prayer is that by the time you read this - on Sunday morning - God will have given us revelation about where our country and our world - and our state, here in Minnesota, is going.

By the time you read this, you will also have read some posts from me - about my genuine joy and inspiration in the work of so many courageous leaders and ordinary people, here in Minnesota and around the world, to stand up bravely to the tyranny of a violent occupying force and a nihilistic MAGA regime whose only guiding principles are the naked acquisitions of wealth and power, destroying whatever stands in their way - even themselves. And about my anger and frustration and worry that the narrative is being distorted and turned upside down by merchants of lies.

As I write this, though - and likely still on Sunday morning, we sit in the uncertainty of the present moment. As we do, I’m reminded of the wise and Spirit-filled with of the Rev. JaNae Bates, codirector of ISAIAH, “a multi-faith nonpartisan coalition of faith communities dedicated to building a multiracial democracy by moving collectively and powerfully for racial and economic equity in the state of Minnesota.”

Earlier this week, Bates told a gathered group of Minnesota clergy-members of her own wrestling in this critical moment. What is my place? What is my role? What are the stakes? What is my call?

And she said: “We are doing this together in uncertainty. And that’s where faith comes in.”

Thank God.

We’re going to do some study and prayer now, because those are some of the only things that keep me grounded in these weighty and consequential days. And first as always, if you’d like to see some insights on today’s Lectionary texts, here’s a link:

Now let’s continue our study of the Lectionary psalms.

Psalm 27

Psa. 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold^a of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

Psa. 27:4 One thing I asked of the LORD,

that will I seek after:

to live in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the LORD,

and to inquire in his temple.

Psa. 27:5 For he will hide me in his shelter

in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

he will set me high on a rock.

Psa. 27:6 Now my head is lifted up

above my enemies all around me,

and I will offer in his tent

sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

Psa. 27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud,

be gracious to me and answer me!

⁸ “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”

Your face, LORD, do I seek.

⁹ Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger,

you who have been my help.

Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,

O God of my salvation!

For our study of the Psalms (and other songs of Scripture), I’m going to make a suggestion. Psalms - like poetry - require deep contemplation and study. Each word is weighted and heavy. So even though my typical tendency is to read quickly, I’m going to force myself to slow down. To read each word again. Aloud.

OK, I just did that. How about you?

That first verse stops us in our tracks. It reorients us, centers us, places our fears and worries in the context of the Almighty God, who is gracious and merciful, abounding steadfast love. Therefore who shall I fear? The feeling is of a cool wave of water washing over you. Whom shall I fear?

Still, as I read this passage again, I’m struck by verses 4-6. There is a sense of providence and peace even in a stormy world. In my prayer time lately, I have heard a consistent steadying voice of God: that there is much more to come, much more story to be written. The present needs and dangers, in a Minneapolis and Minnesota occupied by a violent and lawless federal force, seem so overwhelming and all-consuming. But God’s assurances have been of a long future ahead, of an after-time. A peace that this moment is critical and layered and essential. And also that it is not all we have; that there is much, much more to come.

Questions to Ponder

Why do you think the Psalmist bothers to mention beauty in a Psalm that begins about fear? How can beauty coexist with fear, and why does it matter?

In reading verse 5, of God hiding the Psalmist in danger, of course I am thinking of our immigrant neighbors who are under threat of abduction and detention by ICE. I am thinking of how hiding can be a holy act. When does God call us to hide rather than to reveal?

The final plea of the Psalmist is that God would not cast the Psalmist off. That God would remain present. Why is presence so important in relationship, with God and with one another?

PRAYER

Dear God,

We come to you as wanderers in a dark, stormy, and unfamiliar land. We seek your light to guide us along the way. Point us in the direction You would have us go. Lead us not in fear but in discernment and direction. Help us to be humble toward you but confident in Your calling.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

AMEN

An Invitation

A Community that prays for one another is transformed by the power of the Spirit. We’ve been praying for and with each other now for more than three years! About once a quarter, I will re-start this space for prayer requests and praises. Please email with your own requests and I will share here with your permission!

Happy New Year! Advent marked beginning of a new Church Year, and in that new season we started over and refreshed our prayer requests. If you’d like to add your request to the list - please hit REPLY to this email. I can also keep requests private but pray for them, too.

1. For all clergy and people of faith who are hearing the necessity and call of this moment, and responding in courage to work for justice, truth and love.

2. For the loved ones of Renee Nicole Good, tragically murdered by an ICE agent in South Minneapolis this week. For all those who risk their lives to be legal observers and document and challenge the violent tactics of ICE. For all in South Minneapolis rocked by tragedy after tragedy, from George Floyd to Melissa Hortman to Justine Damond to Annunciation - and too many more deaths to name.

3. For immigrant communities in Minnesota, especially Hispanic and Somali communities, for their leaders, for all who risk arrest and violence from ICE. For faith leaders who step out in bravery to care for neighbors.

4. As we mark a New Year, help us to take time to reflect with sobriety and gratitude over the year that has passed. Give us time to grieve, be joyful, and care for ourselves and others.

5. We give thanks for the wise Magi who followed the star to Bethlehem, and who heeded the warning not to return to Herod. Help us to follow where God leads, even if we don’t know every step of the way.

6. For Venezuelans as their country is in turmoil with Maduro in custody in the U.S.; for American military personnel in the midst of uncertainty. For national leaders who respect the rule of law and a check on vigilante justice and extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean.

7. We have been praying for Dan, who was hit by a car while crossing the street last month in Alabama. Sadly, Dan died after this accident. We give thanks for a memorial service that honored his life and saw the presence of many loved ones. We pray for comfort and peace in the midst of deep grief for Dan’s wife, Nicki; their children Wes (Clarence), Dave (Lori), Gabe, and Dru, and all Dan’s loved ones and friends, including I’m Listening reader Michael and his wife, Denise, who had been with Dan shortly before the accident. We also lift up the driver who hit Dan, that he is able to move forward and not blame himself for the accident.

8. We pray for all those who lost loved ones during the weeks between Christmas and New Year’s, which as pastors and church leaders know tend to be a time of death and grief. And bless all those who care for others in the time of grief.

9. For all those enduring war and suffering in Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine, Russia - and so many other places around the world - that world leaders might prioritize human lives, peace, and safety over profit and power.

10. For churches, volunteers, musicians, and church leaders who created music, decorations, messages, and special events in the season of Christmas. Might they be given time to rest and recharge in the midst of this busy season, and renewal of their creative energy.

11. For the Somali community and all immigrants in my hometown of Minneapolis, who have been vilified, singled out, dehumanized, and targeted by ICE and by federal officials. May they be protected and surrounded in support, and may many speak out on their behalf and resist the encroachment of ICE into our communities.

12. For all those who have risked their lives to protest and resist the violent and unjust tactics of ICE, especially as the National Guard is deployed to Chicago, North Carolina and Portland against the wishes of state and local government. For local clergy leaders and activists. For neighbors who care for neighbors. For all those who continue to build networks of compassion and trust in resistance to violent authoritarian rule. For all immigrants and migrants who are unjustly detained and separated from their families.

13. For all those workers who have been given layoff notices, that they might quickly find new work and also that they might know how important their work has been for our country. May corporations consider worker wellbeing and not only shareholder profits.

14. For all those, especially parents of young children and caregivers for young children, who are weighed down by the pressures and stresses of anxiety and relentless financial pressure. Help us to find ways to care for one another as communities, in faith communities and beyond, and as neighbors.

15. For comedians, artists, musicians, and all those who dare to criticize those who hold worldly power. Help us to protect the truth-tellers, and not bow to threats against them.

16. We cry out with grief and lament for the loved ones of all who were victims of the school shooting at Annunciation in South Minneapolis at the end of August. We pray for healing and repair for all those who continue to heal and suffer from injuries experienced during the shooting. We pray for mental health resources and support for all who were impacted, and for government leaders to take action against the easy availability of deadly automatic weapons.

17. We pray for Minnesota legislators as they weigh a letter signed by more than 1,200 clergy members in the state, asking for a ban on assault weapons and a special session to address gun violence.

18. We pray for all who have been victims and impacted by gun violence across America, especially throughout the summer. May we continue to value each and every single human life, and work together to care for our communities.

19. For teachers, students, and all who are facing illness as Covid and other infectious diseases continue to spread at higher rates and affect the vulnerable. God bring healing and support for all those who work in healing professions. May our government leaders be humbled to listen to scientists and doctors, and prioritize health and life over profit and grift.

20. We pray especially for all those in Minnesota and beyond who mourn the deaths of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. We also pray for continued healing for Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, after they too were victims of an attempted assassination. We pray for all those who were listed as potential targets of this politically-motivated shooting, and for all those who find themselves continually at risk of violence for their political beliefs and leadership positions in government. May all government leaders prioritize caution, care, and truth in condemning all violence, including violent and hate-filled rhetoric against political opponents.

21. Thank you for the blessings and support I’ve received as I have launched my new book and traveled to speak again. Please continue to expand this community of listening, understanding, and inspiration - and may my words be received with open hearts and new questions and opportunities for growth.

22. We pray for immigrants, migrants, and all those who are undocumented. May they be given sanctuary and support in America. May our churches find ways to resist the politics of demonization of immigrants.

23. For American federal government employees: may they continue to do their work with dignity and honesty and without the threat of political retribution. Also for aid workers and organizations who have been threatened and who have lost their funding access: that they may be given pathways forward to continue their work.

24. For brave faith leaders who dare to speak out against powerful political leaders, including those who wrote a new courageous faith statement in Idaho.

25. May all those who are providing aid and food, and seeking assistance in Gaza be protected in the midst of violence around food distribution. For the protection of journalists in Gaza.

26. For all immigrants and migrants around the world, far from home, seeking a new and safe homeland. Might they be embraced where they go, offered assistance and solidarity and friendship.

27. Be with all American lawmakers in this time of political upheavals and corruption by business leaders and wealthy individuals. Give them courage to speak truth and govern with care for humanity and life.

28. For so many loved ones of mine who have recently been diagnosed with cancer and are undergoing treatment. May they have caring and high-quality care, rest as needed, and loving support of family and friends.

29. We also pray for all those who are caring for loved ones who are going through myriad health challenges, including mental health and addiction. Grant them rest and relief in the midst of difficult and tiring times.

30. For all those who don’t have a safe place to live or enough food to eat, that they might be first and receive what they need.

31. For all around the world who face persecution for their religious beliefs, especially for religious minorities in places where governments sanction religion-based violence

32. For Christians to be emboldened to speak out courageously against anti-semitism and to acknowledge how we have been complicit in anti-semitic actions and speech against our Jewish siblings

33. For governments and leaders to prioritize climate change solutions and not be only ruled by profit or big business

34. For journalists, who risk their lives and livelihood to write and report truth - even against the wishes of media ownership and administration

35. For all the concerns deep on our hearts, that you hear and know and acknowledge, we pray …

May we begin the year with humility, kindness, patience, and hope,

In Jesus’ name we pray,

AMEN

This was a special FREE edition of the Sunday Stretch. This newsletter is typically available only to paid subscribers. But I wanted all the new subscribers to get a taste of what we do on Sundays around here. Thank you to the paid subscribers who help make this work sustainable.

Angela

P.S. …

A Few Notes:

First, a huge THANK YOU to all subscribers. I get a little email notification every time someone signs up, and every time I get one, I feel joyful and honored that you want to spend part of your day with this community. I mean it when I say: “I’m listening,” to you as well, and please don’t hesitate to share with me your thoughts + ideas for what you’d like to read in this space.

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On free vs. paid-subscriber posts only: My plan right now is that the Friday + Sunday posts, focusing on news + spirituality, in that order, are available for subscribers only (I am going to continue sharing a sample, with a line where the paywall cuts off for our paid subscriber community). My plan is that the Tuesday blog-style posts will always be free, to enable as much access as possible, while creating a smaller and more intimate experience for paid subscribers, who are also able to comment and share in community in fuller ways.

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