Monday in the First Week of Advent

A Prayer from "Advent Readings from Iona"
On the feast day of St. Andrew 
by Brian Woodcock and Jan Sutch Pickard
(slightly adapted)

Yes, adoni* - the best we can do for anyone is to lead them to you.
And the best we can do for ourselves as well, I suppose.
When our words have been said, and our knowledge aired,
if there has been no meeting with the bringer of life,
what's the point?

Some simple things still elude me.
How do I begin? Where do you live? Do I have the right?
Fine preachers, with long words from high pulpits
have not answered these simple things, at least for me.
Perhaps there are others who could teach me;
others I have not noticed,
others who do not push themselves forward or try to impress;
others who just do good and act with kindness.....all the time.

Like St. Andrew.
Now there was someone who did not push * forward.
But ki* was quite happy to go to you though, it seems.
And others like the lad with the loaves and fishes.
There was no false modesty or special knowledge.
Nothing between you and their desire to serve you.
They just knew where to find you and how to be easy in your presence.

What we really want, and what I really need
is to find a way to you this Advent, my God.
Save me from getting in the way.
Help me to stay awake.
Help me to open the door.
And if I cannot prepare myself for your coming,
give me the humility to ask for help from someone who can.

In the name of the One, Holy and Living God. Amen.


* an asterisk notes all changes made to remove gendered pronouns or references to God....in keeping with our Advent theme: Words Matter.