Untroubled in her devotion

The Season of Easter concluded with the Feast of the Pentecost. We are now back to the Ordinary Cycle in the liturgy that begun after Christmas and gave way to Lent and Easter time. The readings are taken again from the Old Testament and New Testament alike, and in this 8th Ordinary Week they come from the Book of Ecclesiastes and the Gospel of Mark. 

The prayers designed for this time of the liturgical season are very meaningful. Today’s opening prayer is one of my most favourite prayers.

Collect
Grant us, O Lord, we pray,
that the course of our world
may be directed by your peaceful rule
and that your Church may rejoice,
untroubled in her devotion.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

We trust in the peaceful rule of God that prevails over chaos, despite the distraction that our decision and activities bring upon the world. We know that if necessary God will send us a new Moses to lead us through the waters of the seas and keep us safe from oppressors. If we persist in our devotion, in our prayer and trust ... nothing will trouble us, and we will rejoice.