Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)
Webster defines the word “intercede” as: to plead for the needs of someone else. Other definitions include: to act on behalf of another.
I wonder how many of you,
by this time in the season of Advent, with the celebration of Jesus birth set
for just a few days from now, are both excited and maybe also a bit
weary. Maybe you could use someone to intercede on your behalf, to call
out the things your heart and spirit are seeking in this holy reflective season
of Advent?
As I write this in September, there are so many things weighing on the world. COVID continues to surround us. Every day we hear the numbers, join in the discussions about masks and vaccines. People are digging out after storms and fires and floods. There are divisions in our country and our world.
Will anything have changed by the time you are reading this? For better? For worse? What other things: global, communal and/or personal, will occupy our minds and mute the joy to the world, silent night celebration of Jesus’ entry into the world?
When I worship with residents at The Hearth and at Artman, I ask for whom and for what they are praying. There are so many things…family, friends, those who have died, things in the world that cause concern and worry. It is a sacred litany that rises up like the most perfect hymn or Christmas carol. Names and needs lifted up in sure and certain hope that the spirit will intercede. As we pray for the needs of others, as we pray on behalf of those we love, we count on the Spirit to hear every sigh.
Our Advent faith assures us - those sighs, sometimes spoken, sometimes too deep for words, are held and carried by the Spirit. They are known to God. Perhaps a gift we can give ourselves in this last week of Advent is just to sit in the place of our own weakness, need, weariness… and to sigh deeply, quietly, with blessed assurance that Jesus Christ is born for this.
Incarnate God, whose birth into the
world we will retell in joy in only a few day, may we always know how lovely
your Spirit pleads for us. Hold the weight of our weariness so that our
hearts are free for the rejoicing! Amen.
The Reverend Ghislaine Cotnoir is Director
of Pastoral Care at Artman and The Hearth at Drexel.
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