“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 about you an at-home-ness with your amber riches. You are season of retirement, of full barns and harvested fields. The cycle of growth has ceased; 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 ever restless, always eager for more mountains to climb, seeking 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’ve been given and received; may I know that is enough, that my striving can cease in the abundance of God’s grace. 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 great bounty, let me also take delight in the abundance of simple things in life that are … [Read more...]
The Fire of Pentecost – Quotes
Pentecost is the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit to the early Christians. It marks the birth of the Christian church and means "fiftieth day" as it is celebrated fifty days after Easter, this coming Sunday.I have been reading about Pentecost for my own meditations and collecting some quotes about this event.Red is the liturgical color for this day. Red recalls the tongues of flame in which the Holy Spirit descended on the first Pentecost.A tradition of some churches in ancient times was to baptize adult converts to the faith on Pentecost. The newly baptized catechumens would wear white robes on that day, so Pentecost was often called "Whitsunday" or "White Sunday" after these white baptismal garments.On the 50th day after the Sabbath of Passover week, the Jews celebrated a festival of thanksgiving for the harvest. It was known by a number of different names:Feast of Weeks (Ex. 34:22; Deut. 16:10)Feast of Harvest (Ex. 23:16)Day of First fruits (Num. 28:26)The "Feast of … [Read more...]
HE IS RISEN – All Other Words are Unnecessary
Lectio Divina - April 4 2010After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 1Then Jesus said to … [Read more...]
What Does Maundy (Thursday) Mean?
What does the word “Maundy” mean? As we progress through this holy week of Christ’s passion, I paused and realized I didn’t really know the definition. The name "Maundy" derives from Latin, mandatum novum, the first sung response of the traditional ceremony for the washing of the feet. (See John 13.) The Christian church observes Maundy Thursday as the commemoration of the sacrament of Holy Communion and, in some traditions, the footwashing.Another place claimed the word came from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "commandment," Maundy refers to the commands Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper: to love with humility by serving one another and to remember his sacrifice.The observance is one of Christianity's oldest celebrations, dating back to the first century church. In the 12th century, the English Church initiated a custom of distributing money to older adults who had performed outstanding service to the crown. Known as "Maundy Money," these specially minted coins are … [Read more...]
Spring – the Season of Singing – Lectio Divina – March 28, 2010
See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. Song of Solomon 2:11-13 (NIV)The season of singing has come!Lord, I love how you wake up the earth in spring. How your hope blasts through the trumpets of daffodils with the music of “I am alive and love you.” The bells of pink and yellow tulips ring in triumph beating away the chilled wintry air. The scent of lilacs drift through the warming breezes. Spring does make me want to sing.The season of singing - what a great way to describe the feeling of this year. I can almost hear the earth singing with you, Lord. Can I join in too?I hum my little tune of thankfulness for arriving safely through dark January and February into the light-filled March and April. I jump with joy seeing the robins, dancing in the rain puddles. I am like a child anticipating Christmas when I see the first signs of pointed green leaves erupting from … [Read more...]
Subtle Signs of Spring – Hidden Hints of Hope
February is the longest month in the year. At least it seems that way in dreary cold snowbound Northwest Ohio. I really think we should lift this month out of winter and move it in between July and August – extending summer and shortening winter. I don’t mind the changes in seasons, but by this time of year, the weight of winter seems heavy and never ending. Sort of like some of the problems we have in life. Is there any hope? If I just focus on the bleak weather and lifeless trees, then that is all I see. But if I step back with unobstructed eyes, subtle changes become visible. The days grow notably longer and brighter. Someone said to me the other day he drove home after work without turning on his headlights. When winter began on December 21, we had only nine hours of light; two months later we have 11 hours of light. Within two miles, I saw a deer, skunk, opossum, and raccoon while driving this week. The animals are awake and moving – another faint clue something … [Read more...]
ASHES TO ASHES – ASH WEDNESDAY
This week Lent begins – the 40 days before Easter. On Wednesday many churches hold Ash Wednesday services. This service, being utilized by more and more denominations, originated in the 10th century. Why ashes? Lent is a time to turn our hearts to God, giving thanks for the sacrifice of His son and acknowledging our own sins and limitations. We repent and like the Prodigal Son return once again to a forgiving, loving Lord.Ashes refer to the Biblical practice of mourning. Though the actually Ash Wednesday custom is not mentioned in the Bible, the use of ashes in grief is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21. We grieve our sinfulness during Lent.Ashes symbolize dust-to-dustness and remind us of the need for cleansing, scrubbing and purifying. If they are applied during an act of kneeling, the very posture of defeat and submission expresses humility before God. We are marked by the Cross of Jesus.In my church and many others, the ashes come from the … [Read more...]
Epiphany – Time to Bless your Home
Epiphany is my word of the week.Epiphany - even the sounds of this word roll off the tongue in smooth, grace-filled manner.Epiphany. January 6 is when the church celebrates Epiphany, also called Theophany in the Eastern Churches, recognizing the visit of the Wise Men to the Christ child.The word "epiphany" also means to have a sudden understanding or insight. Reading about epiphany this year did open my eyes with a new understanding of this long time Christian observance. It also brought back memories of my 2006 trip to Germany.Epiphany is an ancient feast, dating to the 3rd century in the East. In the East, the Epiphany feast pre-dates the Christmas feast, although the West knew of the Nativity Feast before the Epiphany feast. Originally the Epiphany celebrated the Baptism of Christ. The Church in Jerusalem celebrated Christ's Nativity on January 6 until AD 549.The Epiphany feast was introduced in the Western Church by the 4th century, but the connection between the feast and … [Read more...]