We come to the eucharist this morning with all the sorrow and confusion of Holy Mary on Good Friday. Like her we’re looking at a crucifixion but ours is a crucifixion of the world by pandemic, yes, but also by terrorism, with the memory of 9-11 and the agony Afghanistan weighing upon us.
Like her we look beyond the foot of the Cross to the light of the resurrection - for whenever we look at a crucifix believers see their risen Lord standing behind.
The challenge of international crises puts a particular responsibility on Christian people to stand with St Mary by the Cross of her Son and pray with Jesus and Mary to the Father: Our Father - in this situation - hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done...deliver us from evil.
By his cross and resurrection Jesus has, in Paul’s words, disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in what he has done.
We Christians are salt and light because like Mary we can ask Jesus, by the sufferings he has borne uniquely, once and for all, to soak up the evil around us and turn the tables on it.
Our prayers and eucharists bring the potential of the Cross, which is like a mighty engine out of gear, into gear so the love of God floods into Afghanistan and the anguish felt through 9-11.
Paul says God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. It was true of Mary at her Annunciation and it is equally true of us in our baptism and confirmation. That love is poured upon us so that, at our prayer, it may cascade extravagantly upon all whom we bring to the foot of the Cross.
With Mary we stand at the Cross on behalf of a troubled, hurting, godless nation and a troubled world this morning - but if we go out from this eucharist church fired up to pray all the more for our nation he who is in us will show himself more powerful than those troubles.
Jesus living in Mary live in us is our prayer in church at every eucharist. Jesus living in Mary live in them is our prayer of intercession as we encounter the needy in the media and closer to home.
God sees what is in your heart. Keep lifting the pain you see on the TV to him. Stand with Mary by Jesus crucified. Treat those you see suffering as if they were Christ upon the Cross. Ask the Father to send them healing love and resurrection!
As you do so, pray in your own words. Use the slow recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. Use the Jesus Prayer, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. Use the Hail Mary if you know it.
Take up the weapon of prayer to come before the Lord with this aching nation upon your heart day by day, hour by hour in the coming week. Mary at the Cross, pray with us and for us!
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