Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58:12
Blessed are You, Lord
High King above all kings,
for through Your goodness we have this bread.
You have given us Your peace,
and set a hunger in our hearts.
Restore our strength.
Give new energy to tired limbs,
new thoughts to weary minds
Share the bread
Blessed are You, Lord
High King above all kings,
for through Your goodness we have this wine.
We thank You for Your loving kingness
which has filled our days
And brought us to this time and place.
May the wine restore our souls
giving new vision to dry spirits,
new warmth to cold hearts.
Share the wine.
“Family Shabbat” in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 90-91.
Isaiah looks forward to the restorative work of the people of God, only possible through communion with Christ. We are restored in Christ and become agents of restoration.
As I have been resting this week, I have engaged forms of recreation that have left me with severe back pain. It’s both unfortuate and unexpected. But when do we expect suffering?
This tired body gives thanks, at least for the gift of pain which slows me down to be renewed and restored in ways that can only be attributed to the grace of God (and the love of friends).
That’s what communion with Christ is all about.