Tag: poetry
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Writing Prayers Together: Mercy Embraced and Grace Discovered
. . . out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34b God spoke life and beauty into being in the beginning. Through psalm-singers and shepherds on hillsides, through prophesying women and dreaming men, through a teenager in Nazareth and an angel in Joseph’s ear, through prophets, priests, princes, and kings, God…
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Rock Us into Joy
Virtual worship. What an unusual and intriguing phrase, one that has made its way into my everyday vocabulary. Covid-19 has not been able to stop faith communities from worshiping together in spirit and truth–in safe and socially distanced ways. Zoom worship windows, Facebook watch parties, YouTube gatherings, and more have become sacred spaces where people…
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Windows in Walls
When we beautify our gaze, the grace of hidden beauty becomes our joy and our sanctuary. John O’Donohue I have been reflecting quite a bit in recent days about worship spaces. What is a “sanctuary” in these days when so many are worshiping virtually. One thing I have noticed is the conspicuous presence of windows…
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Rock Us Into Joy
We pray for strength and courage, for wisdom to seek Your ways.
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risus paschalis: when dust laughs
Risus paschalis means “the Easter laugh.” The pastor of the United Church of Christ congregation I attended some years ago had a practice of telling jokes (mostly corny jokes) during the announcements before worship on Easter Sunday morning. In doing this, he was reviving a historic clergy practice of telling a joke during the Easter…
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Savoring Gethsemane Places
Gethsemane midwifes agony. Gethsemane also midwifes the balm of Gilead.
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In Our Hands, Beneath Our Feet: Reflections for Lent 4
As we journey through Lenten disciplines and practices, we are invited again and again to attend to and celebrate the sacramentality of everyday life, the matter beneath our feet and in our hands that matters.
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Transfiguration
A reflection on change