For all the saintswho from their labors rest……and we, somewhere in the space between mourning and jealousy, continue to labor in a world that assumes little opportunity for rest. The law is slack and judgment is perverted (Habakkuk 1:4), our bodies groan day & night and our strength is dried up (Psalm 32:3-4), faithful discipleship… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Generations
Blessed are those who pray in the mountains,where the signs of heaven are clear, wherethe echoes of creation’s praise roll like thunder.Blessed are those who pray in the dark of night,when the promise of the sun is distant, whenthe LORD whispers secrets to the despairing.Blessed are those who pray in the cities,where the revelation is… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Remember
Though our teeth are set on edge, O God,let us never forget your name.Though the night is long with wrestling, O God,let us never forget your blessing.Though the sun and moon strike us, O God,let us never forget your help.Though the litany of lies grows, O God,let us never forget we belong to you.Though justice… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Send Word
Tell the stars to send word, O Creator,of your faithfulness to every generation,of your trustworthiness through the long night of injustice.Tell the children to send word, O Love,of your accompaniment in places of exile,of your blessed increase even in the presence of enemies.Tell the prophets to send word, O Hope,of your oasis in the desert… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Wormwood and Gall
God of our ancestors,the song we inheritedhas been starved in this famine of injustice;our tongues have driedfrom crying in this desert of hopelessness.Increase our faith!God of all creation,the grass will witherand we along with it, no matter our fretting;our breath will endlong before the mountain melts into the sea.Increase our faith!God of daily mercies,mustard seeds… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Bent Over
* * * Kyrie eleison, the weight of pain has worn me down these long years so much that I have lost my faith in sabbath rest and the hope of healing no longer visits my deepest dreams. Christe eleison, I have longed to lean back and feel the sun’s smile on my face, my… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Beloved
Let me sing for the Beloved, and let the Beloved sing for me: songs of delight and satisfaction, of discovery and renewal, of harmony and hope. Let me hum for the Beloved, and let the Beloved hum for me: lullabies of comfort and patience, of possibility and peace, of justice and love. Let me chant… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Setting Expectations
“Setting expectations” is a tactic of management: both self-management and other-management. It necessitates intentionality in communication and reflection. It provides a vantage point for reviewing successes and struggles, relationships and systems. Unclear and/or uncommunicated expectations tend to cause strain and conflict. Enter this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary texts as case studies: Isaiah 5:1-7 sings of the… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Distant Promises
They died in faith without having received God’s promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. (Hebrews 11:13) What do we ask of you, O God, but faithfulness in presence and mercy from devouring powers? What do you ask of us, O God, but integrity in discipleship and compassion in community? How have… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Psalm 107
O give thanks to the Holy One, whose reputation is goodness, whose love is steadfast and forever. From the depths of mourning, in anger and in tears we pray: O give thanks to the Holy One, whose reputation is goodness, whose love is steadfast and forever. From the wasteland of gun violence, in distress and… Read More
