* * * 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
Revised Common Lectionary: Plumb Lines
What holds you down, keeps you grounded? What keeps you in line, provides accountability? What helps you find your bearings, your plumb line, your skeg? On a kayak, a skeg is a small fin on the bottom rear of the vessel, used to keep the kayak steady (more or less) on the course of its… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Whirlwinds
Through the chaos, O Eternal God, grant us a vision. In the midst of trouble, O Merciful God, grant us a clear path. Before the cup of sorrows, O Faithful God, grant us a portion of joy. Until the idolatry of power ends, O Jealous God, grant us a spirit of generosity. From the world’s… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Wilderness
We long for your voice like a deer longs for water, but no, Lord — do not put your voice in our ears and our hearts, for it might split us open and rend us from the comforts and assumptions with which we have clothed faith. We long for your presence like a ship longs… Read More
Trinity Sunday Prayer
When you pray, say: Our Creator, our Justification, our Advocate in heaven — hallowed be thy Name, thy Body, thy Presence. Your Realm come, your Imagination fulfill, your Peace arrive in all ways & all places. Be our Bread, our Breath, and our Beckoning. Jealous One, forgive our self worship. Just One, save us from… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Trinity Sunday
Wisdom raises her voice. At intersections and entrances, she proclaims to the people: “Before the earth, I was. Before the springs and mountains, I was. Before the skies and seas, I was. I have always been the Inspiration and the Delight.” (Proverbs 8:1-4 & 22-31, Revised Rachel Version) In the Revised Common Lectionary readings for… Read More
