Cloud of Witnesses
Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version)
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Whether we know it or not, we are all surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Not only those around us, but those who have come before us, who have passed on their faith stories so that we might come to know our own faith. And their stories, and their faith, become our own. My Uncle Bubba was a man who was always aware of the "cloud of witnesses." Like a lot of folks, he had a tremendous interest in geneology. His body of work is well known among the many families who have traced their heritage back to the Maryland Catholics who migrated to the Kentucky frontier. We know our history because Uncle Bubba, and others like him, have taken the time to find out, to write it down and pass it on. Today, many people came together to say goodbye and to give Uncle Bubba back to God. I wasn't there, because I live half a country away, but I know that he's still there, a part of the great cloud of witnesses around me.
I met a man here in Houston last weekend who told me he had been released two days ago, but when he came to Houston to find his sister, but she had moved on, no one knew where. Since his mother had died while he was in prison, he was alone. We gave him what help we could on Sunday morning, and asked him to come back on Monday so we could put him in touch with our neighborhood service organization. I really wasn't surprised that he didn't come back. But I hope that he found someone to connect with, to help him get his feet back on the path. And I hope he knows the great cloud of witnesses are there for him too.
Dear God, Sometimes we feel very alone, and very isolated. But help us connect with our spiritual heritage, the line of saints of which we are all a part. Help us to know that in you we are never alone. Today we include the following in our cloud of witnesses: Randi Brown and her family, Archie Glass, Rickie Alvarado Mathews and his mother Angela Herrera Mathews, a little boy named Nick in Tampa, Fl, the women in East Baton Rouge Women's Parish Prison (S04), Casandra Weaver, Rebecca Simmons, Gabriel Rodriguez, Sherry Turnage and her family, Trisha Kirkland, Virginia Hallum, Audrey Sparks and her Uncle Patrick, William Houston, Marc Hatcher and his family, Donald S. Randolph, Matthew Hollis and Lezlie Daniel, Nikki Davis, Barbara Graham, Timika White, Bro. Charles McCaskey, Will Aldridge and Jennifer Cave and their new baby, Uncle Bubba Robertson and all his family and friends everywhere. For all who have asked for prayer, we lift our petition that you be present in their hearts and minds, create in them an awareness of all the wonderful things you have done for us. For everyone who feels alone, connect us with your power and energy with your children in this world and in the world to come. In Jesus' name we lift these prayers, Amen.
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Whether we know it or not, we are all surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Not only those around us, but those who have come before us, who have passed on their faith stories so that we might come to know our own faith. And their stories, and their faith, become our own. My Uncle Bubba was a man who was always aware of the "cloud of witnesses." Like a lot of folks, he had a tremendous interest in geneology. His body of work is well known among the many families who have traced their heritage back to the Maryland Catholics who migrated to the Kentucky frontier. We know our history because Uncle Bubba, and others like him, have taken the time to find out, to write it down and pass it on. Today, many people came together to say goodbye and to give Uncle Bubba back to God. I wasn't there, because I live half a country away, but I know that he's still there, a part of the great cloud of witnesses around me.
I met a man here in Houston last weekend who told me he had been released two days ago, but when he came to Houston to find his sister, but she had moved on, no one knew where. Since his mother had died while he was in prison, he was alone. We gave him what help we could on Sunday morning, and asked him to come back on Monday so we could put him in touch with our neighborhood service organization. I really wasn't surprised that he didn't come back. But I hope that he found someone to connect with, to help him get his feet back on the path. And I hope he knows the great cloud of witnesses are there for him too.
Dear God, Sometimes we feel very alone, and very isolated. But help us connect with our spiritual heritage, the line of saints of which we are all a part. Help us to know that in you we are never alone. Today we include the following in our cloud of witnesses: Randi Brown and her family, Archie Glass, Rickie Alvarado Mathews and his mother Angela Herrera Mathews, a little boy named Nick in Tampa, Fl, the women in East Baton Rouge Women's Parish Prison (S04), Casandra Weaver, Rebecca Simmons, Gabriel Rodriguez, Sherry Turnage and her family, Trisha Kirkland, Virginia Hallum, Audrey Sparks and her Uncle Patrick, William Houston, Marc Hatcher and his family, Donald S. Randolph, Matthew Hollis and Lezlie Daniel, Nikki Davis, Barbara Graham, Timika White, Bro. Charles McCaskey, Will Aldridge and Jennifer Cave and their new baby, Uncle Bubba Robertson and all his family and friends everywhere. For all who have asked for prayer, we lift our petition that you be present in their hearts and minds, create in them an awareness of all the wonderful things you have done for us. For everyone who feels alone, connect us with your power and energy with your children in this world and in the world to come. In Jesus' name we lift these prayers, Amen.
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