Dear Friends of Longview Chapel,
In the third to fifth centuries A.D. in the Egyptian desert, there were monks who studied and prayed and are known as the Desert Fathers and Mothers. In one of their prayer cells, on a wall, was written this very simple prayer:
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.”
This prayer, now known as the Jesus prayer, is sometimes said, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”
The prayer is one that can easily be repeated and, in some ways, used as a mantra or phrase to help calm and focus our minds. All of us are in need of mercy, sometimes more than others. And all of us are called to be merciful as well. This prayer can help to remind us.
In this Lenten season that begins with Ash Wednesday this Wednesday, the 18th (remember, we have a service from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.), it is a wonderful time to savor the gifts of God’s mercy that we have already received and ones we are receiving. Part of the Good News we celebrate is that God loves us so much God has and will extend mercy to us.
How will we share that mercy with others?
Celebrating the Good News with You,
Pastor Donna