First Corner! Key West, FL
Today I road to the first corner (Key West) to pray a litany I prepared for the four corners. Today’s ride was ~120 miles there and 120 miles back from Homestead, FL. The keys were amazing. The weather ranged from 84-93° (warm in the direct sun!)
We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and, for the glory of thy Name, turn from us all those evils that we most justly have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honor and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I noticed a few things. One was the amazing colors. The water seemed to be different colors in different places. Another thing that I noticed were the old dilapidated bridges. Some were used as fishing piers and some were just falling down. One actually had a tree growing up in the middle of it. The last thing I want to point out that I noticed were the boats. Hundreds and hundreds of boats. In the water, at the marina, pulled by trucks and cars. All sizes, all shapes, all kinds. I’m starting the feel the clarity and freedom that I feel when I ride. It’s euphoric.
Knowing God created all things, I wonder why the wonderful vivid colors were reserved for places like Key West and Key Largo and Long Key… and the multitude of all the key islands I crossed today? I’m not sure the pictures do it justice, but it was gorgeous!
I’ve always considered myself a bridge builder, helping one side understand the other. Much of my ecumenical work does that helping the many voices of healthy Christianity thrive. Seeing the dilapidated old bridges reminded me that things decay and fall apart if we don’t take care of them. That includes relationship and connections such as the bridges in life that we build. I the case today, a new bridge was built, thanks be to God.
I talked a lot about water yesterday, but I want to point out that boats have their place in scripture too. Noah and his family were delivered from the flood waters in a large boat. Baby Moses was saved from the wrath of Pharaoh in a small basket (boat) floated down the Nile. The fishermen (Andrew, Peter, James, and John) used a boat when they caught fish before they were called to be disciples and even after. It seems like boats are used to deliver God’s people. In the Episcopal Church we call the part of the worship space where the people sit “the nave.” Nave is from the Latin Navis meaning ship. So we’re all in the boat together, if you will.
I prayed the litany today at the Key West terminus, which I modified using the supplication from the Great Litany in the Book of Common Prayer. I was going to video myself praying the litany, but he crowd at the point was much larger than I expected and everyone was very loud. This sabbatical is a pilgrimage to the “Four Corners” with an intention to pray the Supplication of the Great Litany at each corner.
Here’s the litany (pray it with me!)
O Lord, arise, help us; and deliver us for thy Name's sake.
O God of Grace and Glory, I stand here at Key West, the first corner of the land that we call our country. I ask that you heal our hateful divisions with your life giving spirit and reconciling love.
O Lord, arise, help us; and deliver us for thy Name's sake.
O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us, the noble works that thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them.
O Lord, arise, help us; and deliver us for thy Name's sake.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O Lord, arise, help us; and deliver us for thy Name's sake.
V. From our enemies defend us, O Christ;
R. Graciously behold our afflictions.
V. With pity behold the sorrows of our hearts;
R. Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people.
V. Favorably with mercy hear our prayers;
R. O Son of David, have mercy upon us.
V. Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ;
R. Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord Christ.
R. Graciously behold our afflictions.
V. With pity behold the sorrows of our hearts;
R. Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people.
V. Favorably with mercy hear our prayers;
R. O Son of David, have mercy upon us.
V. Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ;
R. Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord Christ.
We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and, for the glory of thy Name, turn from us all those evils that we most justly have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honor and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Challenge to St. James: I encourage you during this time of social and political stress in our country to ramp up your prayer life and keep the faith. We can’t do it alone, but we can with God’s help!
Challenge to Self: Hold on to your prayer life. Use the clarity from the ride to connect closer to God.
Homestead, FL to Key West, FL (and back!)
Ride: 236 miles
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