Sunday, July 27, 2025 – The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reflections From The Rectory Patio Number 2: On a more recent evening on the rectory patio as the day closed and darkness engulfed East Walnut Hills, I was drawn to the lights again, but this time not to our two light towers as previously explained, but this time to the lights of the apartments of DeSales Flats and the new structures north of Staubach Stadium. Before I say more about those lights, it was an extremely quiet and peaceful evening with the only sounds coming from our church bells. As I viewed the lights of the apartments, I wondered what was taking place in those apartments. Were people resting, reading, watching television, playing games, in conversation etc.? But then it dawned on me, maybe the neighborhood was not as peaceful as meets the eye—or to be more precise, the ear. I feared those lit apartments were occupied with individuals who were worried and scared to death about finances, job stress, lack of employment, relationship issues or possible eviction to name a few. Maybe the neighborhood was not as settled as I initially presumed.
This prompted me to enter into a prayer for all in our neighborhood for them to be well, and if struggling, for God’s blessing and grace to move them from the turmoil they face. It was an interesting moment. I also thanked God for those who are at peace and just enjoying the evening. At that moment I recalled the song Peace Before Us by David Haas (1987) which I had not heard in some time, and I began to hum it as I reflected on the neighborhood.
Peace before us, peace behind us, peace under our feet.
Peace within us, peace over us, let all around us be peace.
Love before us, love behind us, love under our feet.
Love within us, love over us, let all around us be love.
Light before us, light behind us, light under our feet.
Light within us, light over us, let all around us be light.
Christ before us, Christ behind us, Christ under our feet.
Christ within us, Christ over us, let all around us be Christ.
At the end of my announcements every Sunday I have recently closed with saying “and let us pray for one another.” This is a good practice for us. It is not possible for us to solve all societal problems or even the energy to address a number of them, but we can pray for the Spirit’s working in and through them. As I drive and move about our city, I often see events and situations which are concerning. I often find myself saying/praying “God, be with them.” A good way to unite ourselves with our world is to invest time to pray for those around us. It is a way for us to embrace our world. At the same time, let us be aware of those areas where we can actively intervene and offer direct service to.
Let us make a commitment to unite ourselves with our neighbors, city, country and world in the act of regular prayer for them and in action when possible.