Through the Night of Doubt and Sorrow ELW 327, Verse 3
Devotion
Through the night of doubt and sorrow,
onward goes the pilgrim band,
singing songs of expectation,
marching to the promised land.
Clear before us through the darkness
gleams and burns the guiding light;
pilgrim clasps the hand of pilgrim
stepping fearless through the night.
One the light of God's own presence
on the ransomed people shed,
chasing far the gloom and terror,
bright'ning all the path we tread.
One the object of our journey,
one the faith which never tires,
one the earnest looking forward,
one the hope our God inspires.
One the strain that lips of thousands
lift as from the heart of one;
one the conflict, one the peril,
one the march in God begun.
One the gladness of rejoicing
on the far eternal shore,
where the one almighty Father
reigns in love forevermore.
Onward, therefore, sisters, brothers;
onward, with the cross our aid.
Bear its shame, and fight its battle
till we rest beneath its shade.
Soon shall come the great awak'ning;
soon the rending of the tomb!
Then the scatt'ring of all shadows,
and the end of toil and gloom.
How do we travel together to the cross and grave in
these days of Lent? As community, a "band of pilgrims,"
as the hymn proposes. Some of our Christian sisters and
brothers do undertake a pilgrimage, either through town
or across the world, seeking the places and moments
that make faith more alive. Our Lenten discipline may be
quieter, something given up or a faith practice adopted
for the duration of this season. But this metaphor of
pilgrimage is apt for even our more spiritualized path.
The self-reflection we are invited to do might also be
right for communities of faith. For all of us, there is
comfort in hearts-gathered as one- to seek the truth in
these days, in the painful and awe-full story we revisit
on our journey. What does it mean for us, in our time
and place? How is it a witness to the mercy that reaches
beyond us to the whole world?
Prayer
God, your light leads us. Strengthen us for the journey
borne up by each other, and the promise of the good news
we share of Jesus, whose story we share. Amen.