God is “for us”, “with us” and “in us” – Richard Rohr
For the Christian: God for us, is the creator, sustainer. God with us is Jesus the Christ, present in our gatherings, the Word and our Eucharist. God in us is the Holy Spirit enlightening and dwelling with us and our comrades.
For Jews. God for us is seen in Genesis creating and sustaining. God with us, God’s Word with us in the Talmud and accompanying us in the Exodus. In Isaiah 43:5 “Do not fear, for I am with you.” God in us, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound…” Isaiah 61:1
God of love and mercy. You are totally Other and yet, You are never far from me. May I experience your presence today, so that the peace that you bring me may be shared with others on the way. Did you not make us stewards of the earth? Likewise we are stewards in this organization. As we are united with You, so may we be present to our colleagues, people will find their natural dignity in your creation.
Section 2, Scripture: Ps 104:24ff; Romans 8:28-31
| Hebrew Scripture | New Testament |
| God is for us: God created and sustains us. Psalm 104:24ff.
O Lord, how many are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all; The earth is full of thy possessions. There is the sea, great and broad, in which are swarms without number, Animals both small and great. There the ships move along. And Leviathan, which Thou hast formed to sport in it. They all wait for Thee, To give them their food in due season… God is “in us”: Thou dost hide Thy face, they are dismayed. Thou dost take away their spirit, they expire, and return to their dust Thou dost send forth Thy Spirit, they are created: and Thou dost renew the face of the earth.
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Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. 4 I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.5 Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.
6 “I revealed your name* to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, 8 because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. John 17:3-8 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:14-17 We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:28-31
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Section 3
You may wish to be silent for a few minutes.
Section 4
Offer prayer in your own words speaking to God who is for us, with us and in us.