First Sunday Advent 2013

'Tis the first Sunday in Advent 2013.....in today's sermon I heard "it's time to do the deep work of Advent"....I wonder what that will look like? 
Here's what I have for today - a quote by Fr. Alfred Delp who lived a deep and meaningful life...



"Light your candles quietly,

such candles as you possess,

wherever you are."

 

Do you like my 'candles'???
My husband put lights on my prayer flag that attaches to the side of our 5th wheel....
They are making me very happy~!



 

The Sacredness of Autumn

 

O sacred season of Autumn, be my teacher,
for I wish to learn the virtue of contentment.
As I gaze upon your full-colored beauty,
I sense all about you an at-homeness with your amber riches.

 

You are the season of retirement,
of full barns and harvested fields.

The cycle of growth has ceased,
and the busy work of giving life
is now completed.

I sense in you no regrets:
you’ve lived a full life.

 

I live in a society that is ever-restless,
always eager for more mountains to climb,
seeing happiness through more and more possessions.

As a child of my culture,
I am seldom truly at peace with what I have.

Teach me to take stock of what I have given and received,
may I know that it’s enough,
that my striving can cease in the abundance of God’s grace.

May I know the contentment
that allows the totality of my energies
to come to full flower.

May I know that like you I am rich beyond measure.

 

As you, O Autumn, take pleasure in your great bounty,
let me also take delight
in the abundance of the simple things in life
which are the true source of joy.

With the golden glow of peaceful contentment
may I truly appreciate this autumn day.

 

Edward Hays, contemplative, spiritual director, author, chaplain, etc.

This poem/prayer is taken from the book Earth Prayers

 

photo is of leaves at Earth Sanctuary taken by Helen Forshee. 

Our Mothering Hen

Today’s Gospel reading from Luke 13 has the Pharisees trying to convince Jesus to run away from Herod in fear.

But Jesus doesn’t give in to the “what ifs” because there is nothing that will stand in his way of heading towards Jerusalem.

Speaking of Jerusalem, Jesus laments:



"How often have I desired to gather your children together

as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,

and you were not willing!"

I took this photo and the following prayer

(which was based on the Lord’s Prayer) from a previous blog post

because it was just that good!

"Our Mothering Hen

Who art brooding over us

hallowed be thy sheltering wings.

Forgive our unwillingness to come into your embrace

And gather us in, reluctance and all.

Free us from fear of foxes

And the sharp bite

of anything that separates us from you.

Open our eyes

To the plenty around us.

Open our hearts

That our plenty be shared.

Lead us not into contention

But into the dance of connection.

For thine is the grace that wakes us each new day

And thine is the mercy that puts our souls at ease

And thine is the love that sets our hearts alight.

For ever and ever, amen."

Tammerie Day - posted at Day at a Glance

Celebrate St. Francis Day

 

 

During group this morning we looked at the following prayer

from the book, "Prayers for Healing"  edited by Maggie Oman

 and since this is the Feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi let us

remember all the creatures, both past and present,

that God has so lovingly created. 

Let us also remember and be thankful for all who devote

their lives to caring for our friends, the animals.

 

"Hear our humble prayer, O God,

for our friends the animals,

thy creatures.

We pray especially for all that are suffering in any way;

for the overworked and underfed,

the hunted, lost or hungry;

for all in captivity or ill-treated,

and for those who must be put to death.

 

We entreat for them Thy mercy and pity;

and for those who deal with them we ask

a heart of compassion,

gentle hands and kindly words.

 

Make us all to be true friends to animals."

 

- Christian, date unknown

 

Here is the link for the Humane Society website in the

picture above.

 

monday prayer

Prayer for Monday

Keep us, O God,

from all pettiness.

Let us be large in thought,

in word, in deed.

Let us be done

with fault-finding

and leave off all self-seeking.

May we put away all pretense

and meet each other face to face,

without self-pity

and without prejudice.

Grant that we may realize that

it is the little things of life that

create differences, that in the

big things of life we are as one.

And, O God,

let us not forget to be kind.

- Mary Stewart

from Prayers for a Peaceful World

Let Peace Fill my Heart

Benetvision.org

art by Rob Reynolds is from here

baffled

Baffled is such a terrific word.  It sounds like it feels.

When I'm baffled it feels like cotton candy in my head.

Not a pleasant sensation.

It's been one week since we celebrated Easter and Walter Brueggeman's prayer is a good fit
in light of today's infamous Doubting Thomas gospel reading...

We are baffled

”Christ is Risen
He is risen indeed!
We are baffled by the very Easter claim we voice.
Your new life fits none of our categories.
We wonder and stew and argue,
and add clarifying adjectives like “spiritual” and “physical.”
But we remain baffled, seeking clarity and explanation,
we who are prosperous, and full and safe and tenured.
We are baffled and want explanations.

But there are those not baffled, but stunned by the news,
stunned while at minimum wage jobs;
stunned while the body wastes in cancer;
stunned while the fabric of life rots away in fatigue and despair;
stunned while unprosperous and unfull
and unsafe and untenured . . .
Waiting only for you in your Easter outfit,
waiting for you to say, “Fear not, it is I.”
Deliver us from our bafflement and our many explanations.
Push us over into stunned need and show yourself to us lively.
Easter us in honesty,
Easter us in fear;
Easter us in joy,
and let us be Eastered. Amen.”

Easter Tuesday/April 17, 2000

taken from

Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth

Prayers of Walter Brueggemann

Fortress Press, 2003, p. 162

Mary of the Sign

Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception,

which has been celebrated as far back as the 7th century

and celebrates the conception of Mary in her mother Anne's womb.

 

As we count down the days until the birth of Christ,

let us honor Mary through this icon (and what, in an ancient yet modern way,

resembles an ultrasound of the child she carried!)

The following piece is from  the December issue of

Contemplative Outreach News

which you can read in its entirety here.

Mary of the Sign

Mary stands square to the viewer, her poised

stillness or silent constant prayer is noted in

the hands, palms extended outward in total

surrender to what has been given. Mary clutches

and yearns for nothing. In early icons Mary was

portrayed as the Burning Bush and Christ the

fire that burns within. She is represented as the

divine vessel of burning love. She knows

and loves Him even before His birth.

 

The orb containing this revelation rests within her

being, Christ surrounded in gold, symbolizing

the totality of God without image. Christ is

holding a tiny scroll, a symbol of the Scripture

being fulfilled in Him and later to be filled in

each and every one of us. Christ is our interior

teacher, guide master, and rabbi. The icon’s

theology is the link between the Jewish tradition

and the new understanding of Christ.

 

“The Lord Himself will give you a sign, behold a

young woman shall conceive and bear a child

and his name will be Emmanuel.” - Isaiah 7:14.

 

Excerpt taken from The Mary Collection 2008

by Mary Jane Miller. To see more work done by

Mary Jane Miller, go to:

http://sanmiguelicons.com/galleries.php

 

 

click here to see Mary Jane Miller's icon of Mary of the Sign.

it is stunning!

chorus of gratitude

And now for the final segment of Christine Hemp's 'Prayers of the People'

which were read on the First Sunday of Advent 2011

"Finally, Lord, we offer you a chorus of gratitude.

Even when we are grouchy and sad, confused and agitated,

you cup us in your hands.

For we are the clay and you the potter. And oh! what shapes you have made!

We thank you for our bodies, our families, our animals and friends.

The wilderness and the cities and the lights that never go out.

For the trails and the trees, the parties and the silence.

For that which is just around the corner.

And, of course, for the corner of Tyler and Jefferson

where we pray this very moment.

With you at the center of this blessed St. Paul’s family,

unbridled love can’t help itself: See it now?

Spilling from our hearts? Seeping out over the kneelers?

The pews? Beyond the narthex and out the door?

With jubilation that cannot be contained,

thank you for the feasts and celebrations we share.

Continue to show us the light of your face!"

 

visit Christine's website here

 

like stars falling...

here is the next segment of Christine Hemp's 'Prayers of the People'...

"You ask us to stay awake, Lord, and we are trying.

Sometimes it’s not so easy.

Please tip our ear toward your song so we know you are always available,

no matter where we are:  shopping, baking, meeting, planning.

Balancing our checkbooks, sending an email, or trying to find a parking place.

And, when liturgical life itself seems like a stern master,

remind us that structure is only meant to keep us conscious,

mindful of things larger than “holidays” and empty phrases.

Help us to move toward your birth and your coming again

with the excitement we felt as children,

when we wanted to stay awake all night.

Like stars falling from the heavens, Lord,

Awaken us for your arrival, for your infinite surprise."

 

 visit Christine's website here

 

as old seasons pass...

...here is the continuation of Christine Hemp's 'Prayers of the People'...

"Just as the old seasons pass,

we, too, will slough off our leaves and branches in the wind

and join you with the Christ. 

Until then, we pray for those who have already shed their vexations

and now celebrate the lightness of being.

Help us to trust that they, too, will help us to the next chapter of our infinite life,

showing us how easy it is to fall into your arms.

We bless them now, with love, either silently or aloud.

Though heaven and earth may pass away,

Sustain us with your word and love forever."

visit Christine's website here

another window to the mystery

And here is the continuation

of Christine Hemp's prayer from last Sunday.

"Since each living being is an extension of our own heart,
open our eyes to the sacred in all creation:

from the horse’s fuzzy winter coat

to the collage of needles on the forest floor;

from the juncos hop-scotching under the feeder

to the thick mud on our boots.

Each raindrop, each barren tree, each winter storm
is but another window to the mystery that is yours.

When the fire causes water to boil, Lord,

we see the power of your lungs.

Teach us to find your breath in all things, Lord,

and inhale the cloud of the Son of Man."


photo of winter storm, spider rock, nevada from here

Like the doorkeeper on watch...

Here is the next section of Christine Hemp's

Prayers of the People:

"We pray for all those humans and creatures troubled in heart, mind or body,

and those whose hunger goes beyond the belly.

We acknowledge them now either silently or aloud. 

We ask you to heft the burden of our worry,

that we may turn over to you what we cannot handle,

then roll up our sleeves to do what we can.

Like the doorkeeper on watch,

help us to be alert to your presence in those who suffer.

Keep us in your care so that we may comfort, nourish, and treasure

those who need us most."

author - Christine Hemp

photo of the doorkeeper from here

Advent stars falling...

Here is section 2 of Christine Hemp's prayer.

"The psalmist says "give us life," and we echo his prayer,

trusting that every time we return to you the past is irrelevant,
the future a mirage.

May this truth guide us and those who serve your church, including our bishop,

other ministers, and our own precious clergy Elizabeth and Karen.

We pray for all who have been placed in guiding roles: 

presidents and kings; coaches and teachers; police officers and admirals;

mullahs and rabbis; lamas and chieftains.

May we all blink with amazement, Oh Creator, at how our thoughts and deeds

have power to bring others ever closer to your heat, your light.

Even when the stars fall from heaven and the powers be shaken,

Know this, Lord:  We are your people."

photo from here

First Sunday Advent

Welcome to the First Sunday of Advent.

I've fallen in love with Christine Hemp's 'Prayers of the People'

which were read in church today.  With her permission,

I am sharing them in sections over the next several days.

Feast on these words as we enter another season of waiting.

 

"Good Morning, Lord. 

It's the first Sunday of Advent and the four winds of the new season are upon us.

Sometimes it feels as if we're being swept into events that have nothing to do with you.

We struggle to "keep up," we hurry to "get things done."

Please help us to live in the knowledge that you are the still center of the maelstrom.

Assure us that your calm and peace always occupy our deepest selves -

individually and collectively.

 

From the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven,

Restore those who look for you, Lord, each in his or her own way."

 

photo from here

My favorite blessing

"Live without fear; your Creator has made you holy,

has always protected you, and loves you as a mother.

Go in peace to follow the good road

and may God's blessing be with you always. 

Amen."

Happy Feast Day, St. Clare of Assisi! 

Love Thy Neighbor Near & Far

I received not one but two letters today (one was certified) from the CC&R Compliance Committee where our rental is located telling me that a regulation had been violated - Section 3.4.11 in particular - a garbage can and a BBQ were investigated and documented as being on the garage side of the dwelling.

I have 10 days to deal with this issue before I will be fined. Whatever happened to someone knocking on the door to ask the tenants to move the items? Or calling the owners?

Where does this situation fit in light of those suffering from famine in Somalia, or in light of those who have lost jobs and face foreclosure, and what about our collective fear surrounding the global economic crisis? We have little influence over all that.

Perhaps keeping trash cans and BBQ's in their proper places gives us a feeling of having control over something. Right now I need to harness my reaction to something so minor. Think I'll ponder the words on that colorful sign at the top of this post and say some prayers for all my neighbors - near and far.

building bridges

Jesus' prayer was, 'Father, forgive them;

they know not what they do.'

A prayer born in death, writhing with pain.

A prayer risking faith, facing the sorrow.

A prayer living in hope, seeing the future.

My prayer was, 'God, how can I forgive them?

They do know what they did.'

A prayer saying, 'It still hurts.'

A prayer wanting vengeance.

A prayer seeking direction.

My prayer became, 'God, help me forgive them;

they know what they did.'

A prayer saying, 'They were wrong.'

A prayer wanting reconciliation.

A prayer seeking courage.

My prayer became, 'God, forgive them;

they know what they did.'

A prayer that wrestled with injustice.

A prayer that acknowledges weakness.

A prayer that found hope in God's love.

My prayer remains, "God, forgive them;

they know what they did.'

Because forgiving recreates life from death.

Because forgiving cleanses the healing wound.

Because forgiving builds the bridge of freedom.

-Jared Pingleton, The Role and Function of Forgiveness

Prayer for the Aged

For the Aged

Look with mercy, O God our Father,

on all whose increasing years bring them weakness, distress, or isolation.

Provide for them homes of dignity and peace;

give them understanding helpers,

and the willingness to accept help;

and, as their strength diminishes,

increase their faith and their assurance of your love.

This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Book of Common Prayer

I read this prayer today on The Daily Office.

What struck me were these words,

"and the willingness to accept help"

Why is that so difficult for us?

Alone with God

"Grant me the ability to be alone.

May it be my custom to go

outdoors each day

among the trees and grasses,

among all growing things

and there may I be alone,

and enter into prayer

to talk with the one

that I belong to."

Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav

photo of this sweet strolling child

was taken from here

she looks so pensive...

knots & nots

The Knots of Prayer

Author Unknown

Dear God,

Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life.

Remove the "nots," the can nots and the do nots that I have in my mind.

Erase the will nots, may nots, might nots that may find a home in my heart.

Release me from the could nots, would nots and should nots
that obstruct my life.

And most of all, Dear God,

I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my life

all the 'am nots' that I have allowed to hold me back,

especially the thought that I am not good enough.

Amen.