Ever Faithful One, bringer of Light. The week is beginning whether or not I am ready. As the days unfurl, I am asking for many things: Peace. Patience. Perspective. I believe that it is You upon whom the future rests. Would that my life and love model this trust– let this peace settle deep within me. When I am troubled […]
Silently, they peered from the south-facing front yard. I saw them peeking over cars. Reverent, beautiful, cold. Sisters, swinging wildly through the mid-winter air, late afternoon shadows, cast long and blue. Giggling, shrieking, oblivious to all but one another. Taking in the scene before them, I looked again– What are they seeing?
I am listening.I am watching.I am dizzy over the peace you describe.Wolves guests of the lamb? No harm or ruin on your holy mountain?A rescue for the poor?Lives saved?I am listening.I am watching.Strengthen me to hear your voice,that I might be animated by your Spirit. That when the words and work before me feel futile,
This morning, my daughter’s class was talking about the people in our community. They brainstormed a list of people they know in their communities, and the jobs they each perform. Firefighters and police officers topped the list. Beyond some of these more prominent, public figures, there was a lot of brainstorming. While some listed the professions
wandering in wonder Read More »
A prayer of hope Gracious God, make me a seeker of far-off things,long-awaited things. Find me steadfastly following,even in the darkness clinging to wild hope for an encounter with you–unbelievable and brief as it might be. Should I receive such grace, I pray that you find me with heart out-poured,strengthened to continue on carrying in a new way
Gracious God, You know this heart–its impatience, imperfections and tenderness. You hear the cries of those who are without–whose circumstances won’t afford the luxury of joyful anticipation. In the midst of all of this, we celebrate joy! The truth that I have learned and re-learned–is that I see the most joy in those who have only you.
Holy ordinary Advent breezed in this weekend without the pomp and circumstance we might be inclined to give it, just as it does every year—with dimmed lights, flickering candles and space for quiet—everyday reminders to help carve out space for the holy in our ordinary. Even more fittingly, we celebrated the arrival of our Church’s’
A tale of two Advents Read More »
A prayer in Advent Christ of my heart, I can feel your nearness. I want so badly to touch you and feel you with me. I hear stories of violence, war and voices calling out to the love they know is You and I imagine your heart pulled toward these calls–reaching out to touch them,
Light of the nations. You are my hope. I come to you in the darkness–morning and night–looking to the One who out of love, became human. I am seeking signs of Your light. With a single candle lit, I will wait. Watching in unlikely places for movement,that my heart, too, might be moved. Moved from places of blindness to
Elizabeth of Hungary was a great many things in her relatively short life–princess, Third Order Franciscan, wife, mother, widow. We celebrate her feast today as a woman of means who felt deep compassion for those who went without: How can I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown and thorns and
A couple of my favorite ladies Read More »