Earth teach me stillness as the grasses are stilled with light. Earth teach me suffering as old stones suffer with memory. Earth teach me humility as blossoms are humble with beginning. Earth teach me caring as the mother who secures her young. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me limitation as the ant which crawls on the ground. Earth teach me freedom as the eagle which soars in the sky. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring. Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me to remember kindness as dry fields weep with rain. — Ute prayer … [Read more...]
Palm Sunday Ponderings
We are having a parade this weekend at church in celebrating Palm Sunday. I get to help lead the children in, waving their palms and shouting Hosanna. One of the few times they get to yell in church! I want to find one of those foam “number one” gloves to wear. Jesus is number one! Well at least he was the day he rode into Jerusalem to the praise of the crowds. Before everything changed from cheers to jeers. From hailing a king to crucifying the King. From adoration to abandonment. That finger that pointed heavenly, praising Jesus suddenly became a finger pointing to crucify him. In the midst of celebration and good times, the truth of the rest of Holy Week weighs on my heart. I know what is coming. I wondered about the custom of starting this holy time of year with this story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The celebration of Palm Sunday originated in the Jerusalem Church, around the late fourth century. By the fifth century, the Palm Sunday … [Read more...]
Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?
The last few weeks the melody of the old spiritual “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” has been echoing in my mind and heart. Its words haunt me. My emotions this Lenten season verge closer to solemn sadness when I ponder how much Jesus suffered. I realized how often I want to jump over these verses of the Bible and rush into the celebration of Easter morning. I missed the lessons in the whip, the crown of thorns, the ridicule, the horror of the cross and the silence of Holy Saturday. So I trudge through Bible verses I normally skim. I pause and listen to their rawness. I sit amazed at his forgiveness and defeat of death and sin. My answer to the question - Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? – is, well at least I am closer now than before. This hymn originates from the African-American slaves in the early 1800s. The lyrics reflect the terrors the slaves endured. Full of emotion I think we all “tremble” as we sing it and realize the reality of … [Read more...]
Thank You for Hearing Me, Lord – Lectio Divina
“Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. I know that you always hear me...” John 11: 41-42a Lord of the Universe, how your ears must ring and your heart overflows with the prayers of the world. You watch over the sparrow and observe the ants. World leaders bow their heads to you; parents cry out for help. The trees dance in your honor and the birds sing your praise. Majestic choirs tell of your love and you smile at the soft bedtime prayers of a young child. Thank you for listening, Lord. For hearing my repetitive prayers, my concerns, and my whining. For celebrating with me with good news and staying by my side when I fall. Your attentiveness to each of us reflects just a portion of your endless unconditional love. It is hard to comprehend that with all the noise, talk, racket and clamor heading towards heaven, you hear each individual whisper. You tenderly gather each word, spoken and unspoken. You collect each … [Read more...]
A New Serenity Prayer – James Martin – Quote of the Week
God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, which is pretty much everyone, since I'm clearly not you, God. At least not the last time I checked. And while you're at it, God, please give me the courage to change what I need to change about myself, which is frankly a lot, since, once again, I'm not you, which means I'm not perfect. It's better for me to focus on changing myself than to worry about changing other people, who, as you'll no doubt remember me saying, I can't change anyway. Finally, give me the wisdom to just shut up whenever I think that I'm clearly smarter than everyone else in the room, that no one knows what they're talking about except me, or that I alone have all the answers. Basically, God, grant me the wisdom to remember that I'm not you. James Martin … [Read more...]
A Letter to Spring
Dear Spring, Welcome back. You were sorely missed, especially after the tough winter we had in the Midwest. I am empty from this past chilly time of year and yearn to see the world come alive. I know you aren’t fully here yet, but I see you tease me of your arrival as you drop hints of your slow emergence. You are my favorite time of year. I learn so much from all the seasons, but find hope when I spend time with you. When you come, I am reminded of the rhythm of life – the seasons change and sometimes are rough, but the cycle of birth and life and death continues. Rain replaces snow and washes away the dirt of winter. Spring reminds me that I am resilient, I can be courageous and even the depth of a cold hard winter, life does go on eventually. Where do I need to be less afraid and take risk right now? I love your light – days gradually lengthening like sleepy Saturday morning when we don’t have to jump out of bed right away. No alarm. Just a stretching yawning of a … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Gift of Laughter
I forget to laugh some days. Laughter is a healthy habit to practice, not only for the physical and emotional benefits, but also for social and spiritual reasons. What a gift laughter is. Think how laughter helps you: it reduces stress, recharges your focus, often gives you a much needed break, renews the spirit to find that courage to face a tough situation, connects people on a deep level, and I have read that it stimulates creativity. I believe the joy found in laughter comes from God. For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17 April 1st can be a fun day. Now, I don’t like practical jokes but starting this day from now on, I want to build more laughter into my life. We so easily allow ourselves to carry burdens, hurts and childhood baggage – why not drop one of those unnecessary weights and pick up a … [Read more...]
Living as Children of the Light – Lectio Divina
For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— Ephesians 5:8 Live as children of light. Once I was blind but now I see. I see you Lord and I believe. I used to live, alone and afraid, in the darkness of my sin. But you never left me, you held my hand, you watched over me. You stayed when I closed my eyes in fear, lust, and even selfishness. You bring the light into my shadow existence and brought me home. Home where you shine eternally. Where we dance together in the cascading beams of your love. Home where darkness never comes. Where we play, laugh and gaze lovingly within your radiance. Shine on, Lord Jesus. Your glorious glow lights my way Illuminate my heart so I can live as a child of the Light. … [Read more...]