There is no such thing as the Poop Fairy God, you are not the Poop Fairyyou do not clean and bag my messesjust because I ask forgiveness. You call me to apologizefor the mean word, the betrayal,and to seek reconciliation. You call me to attemptrestitution as I canin for my personal unkindnessand deeds in which… Read More
Thursday Prayer
“Thursday’s Child” I don’t know whether you remember the children’s poem about children and the days of the week. I do. The poem begins: “Monday’s child is fair of face.” Here we are, on Thursday of the week. Today’s offering? “Thursday’s child has far to go.” That feels so sadly familiar right now. I am… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
As we begin to settle in for the night We give thanks for this day smiles along the way, steps towards justice on the journey We ask for forgiveness for love withheld or moments of othering allowing fear to lead and insecurities to distract As we surrender for the night We pray for those without… Read More
Sunday Prayer: have mercy
In dark cells
and pits of despair …
held captive by clanging chains
and by agonizing grief
and by debts that cannot possibly
be repaid … Read More
RCL reflections for 13 September: Forgiveness and debts
We have here an abundance of texts–Matthew 18:21-35, Genesis 50:15-21, Psalm 103–about forgiveness this week. And as I am in the middle of feeling vey angry about the state of–gestures around–everything I find the concept of forgiveness with more foreboding than usual. Here is Peter, who has perpetual foot-in-mouth, asking just how many times someone… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
God, we can’t even remember what day it is These times still seem so surreal A pandemic Constant political unrest A Black man shot down while jogging Babies in cages Yet we still sing, “It is well with my soul…” Willing it. Believing it. Working to make it so. But how can it be? How… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Permission to Lament (Ruth 1:1-17)
Lament has been on my mind quite a bit lately. I carry it deep within my heart and right on the edge from where my tears pool. I feel it in my spirit, in the tightness of all of my muscles and within the stiffness of my too often clenched jaw. Maybe it’s because I… Read More
Friday Prayer: Poison Ivy
Oh Lord, I know what I have done. As soon as my words left my lips, I knew. I responded out of hurt. I responded out of my woundedness. I responded out of defensiveness. I was not loving. I was angry – Correction!! I am still angry! Forgive me for my selfishness, my lack of… Read More
Friday Prayer: Flattened
Holy One, This mess we’re in… I know it’s one of our own making, and we’ve managed to mess up your Creation rather completely… But please, Mighty One, save us from ourselves! This stench we smell… I know we have chosen to roll around in the biggest pile of (um) “fertilizer” we can find… But… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Forgiveness
Like bulky orange barrels along a construction zone, there are red flags and caution tape that catch my attention as I read this week’s Revised Common Lectionary texts: 1. Forgiveness (Genesis 50:15-21 and Matthew 18:21-35) is a theme that can tempt us preachers toward unhelpful generalizations about injury and reparation. Caution: Check whether your definition of forgiveness,… Read More
