O Present and Still Coming Wisdom, contrary to the lessons of this world: From the littlest ones teach us love, and from the meekest show us majesty. In the ire of self-righteousness reveal human foolishness, and in the heartbeat of wealth lay plain hopelessness. To the most outcast announce the greatest joy, and for the… Read More
Friday Festival: Last Tastes of Advent
In these last days of Advent, our bloggers are pondering the empty spaces that remain. Underneath the tinsel and carols, they’re exploring places of quiet and absence, calling us to a different kind of wholeness. Who belongs in the nativity scene? Michelle Henrichs is wondering. She balks at putting the magi into the scene, since… Read More
Friday Prayer: Walking
Holy One, These last few days of Advent could be frantic, a furious sprint to Christmas Eve: the lists, the rehearsals, the sermons, the last-minute shopping, the wrapping of presents, and mailing cards. We push. We fret. We lose the wonder and joy of the season. So in the midst of it all, may we… Read More
Wednesday Prayer: For all the things
For all the things yet to be done, for all the bulletins being proofed, and the office staff running them, for the final versions (and belated first drafts) of meditations and prayers invoking light, imagining peace, or agitating for change, for the figures of Baby Jesus so well-and-carefully hidden we cannot find them, (check the… Read More
Advent 3: Sunday Prayer
Sing aloud, o daughters! Shout with joy, o children! The peril against you is gone. Yet again and again, O God, we have picked it back up: the peril of fear, the peril of greed, the peril of jealousy, the peril of nationalism, the peril of self-abasement. Again and again we pray, O God: show… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Messy Feelings
The first time I ran across Isaiah 42 verse 1 was when I was preparing my mother’s homegoing service in November of 2002. The words, “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights,” brought me some comfort and a bit of peace at the time. This morning, the more… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Joy!
JOY: Sing aloud! Do not be afraid! Be welcomed home! (Zephaniah 3:14-20) JOY: Draw water! Shout to the whole world! Call on God’s name! (Isaiah 12:2-6) JOY: Rejoice always! Do not worry! Give thanks! (Philippians 4:4-7) JOY: Flee from wrath! Do not hoard! Be cleared of chaff! (Luke 3:7-18) The exhortations of John the Baptist… Read More
Advent 2: Sunday Prayer
Not to have peace, but to be peace; Not to endure the fire, but to live with fire; Not to be called prophets, but to catch the vision; Not to be complete, but to be preparing; This is our Advent prayer. Rachel G. Hackenberg‘s book with co-author Martha Spong, Denial Is My Spiritual Practice (and… Read More
Friday Prayer: Traveling home
Holy One, I sat in this traffic tonight, impatient and tired, (and a little bit whiny). When I had to wait for the traffic light to cycle through a third time, I yelled, “I just want to go HOME!” (to no one in particular) But really, I was calling and crying out to You. For… Read More
RCL: Coming Christ & Preparations
The theme of preparation is strong this week. How can we prepare for the one who is coming? Every year, we need to practice. We have to practice how to wait. How do you wait? I suspect we prepare to help us wait, because we can never truly be ready. Luke 3:1-6 juxtaposed… Read More
