O people, blessed are youwho come in the name ofthe One who was and will be. In death, in life, in renewalthe Promise says to the mourner:“Peace be with you even whenthe wounds seem to suggestpeace is not possible.” O people, blessed are youwho come in the name ofthe faithful Testimony. In hope, in awe,… Read More
Easter Sunday: Empty
“Do not hold on,” you said,and so we empty our expectationsof their aspirations for control. Hallelujah! “Go and tell,” you said,and so we release life’s miraclesfrom the duty of explanation. Hallelujah! “Wait and see,” you said,and so we accept the work of wonderwithout the need for certainty. Hallelujah! Most Holy Gardener: in the timeless wisdom… Read More
Palm Sunday Confession
We have shown ourselves to be fools, O Teacher. Celebrating the Robin Hood come to challenge the prince,we failed to recognize the outcast Sovereign before us. Cheering the jester’s parade in all its mockery of power,we ignored its earnest portrayal of the realm of God. Triumphantly paving life’s way with our coats & palms &… Read More
Prayer: New Ways
Through the dry desert, a river. Through the yawning grief, perfume. Through the war-torn streets, laughter. Through the fallow season, a harvest. Through the dense fog, a sunbeam. Through the howls of night, peace. Through the wilderness, new ways. God have mercy,may it be so. on Isaiah 43:19 The Rev. Rachel G. Hackenberg‘s book with co-author… Read More
Sunday Prayer: The Eve before the New
Do not ask us to turn back, O Mother, or to return to what has been; although there is beauty in the past, we cannot remain there. Read More
Sunday Prayer: Psalm of Job
From dawn to dusk, from dusk to dawn,O God guide our breaths, our lives, our loves. We are fragile and frail, O Eternal Glory. We are so full of pride that we downplay our faults, and so full of faults that we downplay our possibilities. What is the sky to a speck of dust? What… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Peace
Peace to your path, winding into the night; peace toward your path, moving toward the light. Read More
Sunday Prayer: Forsaken
Consider, O God, those pounding at the door for your justice, for your steadfast love, for your deliverance. Will you not answer? We are fainting on your front porch, weary with grief. Can you not spare a cup of mercy? In your house is peace; will you not let us in? In your hands is… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Sunset
Now I lay me down to sleep.I pray the sun’s rays not to weepor linger o’er our earthly achesbut whisper “peace” as stars awake. Now to rest in awe of night,to wonder as celestial heightssing lullabies of mysterythat put our turbulence at ease. And now to trust within our fleshthe kinship lived in every breathwith… Read More
Sunday Psalm: Arise and Come Away
From greed, from vanity,from despair, from doubt,come away, o my soul.Arise and come away. From apathy, from anger,from mistrust, from fear,come away, o my soul.Arise and come away. Breathe in love, breathe out peace.Notice life as it touches your skin.Arise and come away, o my soul —there are a thousand deaths, but come to life.… Read More