"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my community of faith. May we learn patience, tolerance, compassion, empathy and gentleness. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, shame, self-centeredness and ignorance. May we know and follow Jesus more intimately, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
Matthew 18:19-20
19Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’
1) "...if;" "...if two of you agree on earth;" "...I am there among them;" Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there;" "...truly I tell you;" "...again;" "...if;"
2) If two of us agreed on anything it would be a miracle, indeed. I am so discouraged by people running off, making decisions on their own without actually consulting the body, taking action on those decisions and then the consequences come back to my study. Every individual thinks they know what is best and will be dammed before they consult with the rest of the community. It just makes more work for those few of us trying to hold the whole together. Everyone thinks their little piece is more important than the whole. Today, I am discouraged... good thing I don't go in to the office today. And then of course, I'm just thrilled when certain people take initiative. Because some people take initiative and when something has gone astray, it already coved because someone was looking to that. So what's the difference? Is it the who? Is it that I like some people and their decisions and I don't like other people and their decisions? Maybe. But it also seems that some people make decisions that don't take the whole into account. I do trust some people's competence more than others. I have reason to trust some peoples' competence more than others. We live in a time when we are so inclined to isolationism in the church. We are so much better as a body than as isolated cells. Maybe I'm grieving the way the church used to be - with a centralized authority. Do I need to let go of the notion of centralized authority in the community of faith? God help us all.
3) what is the invitation in all this? To continue to reflect on ways to praise individual initiative and yet still call us back to accountability to the whole body.
"God help us all as we continue to figure out church in the 21st Century. Help us to maintain a sense of connection in the body, even as we reorganize and discern distinct and diverse ways of being in the world."
Breathprayer: "It will be done... I am there."
Friday 31 March 2017
Thursday 30 March 2017
"With You... to the End of the Age."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my community of faith. May we learn patience, tolerance, compassion, empathy and gentleness. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement and shame. May we know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
Matthew 28:18-20
18And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’*
1) "...make disciples;" "...teach them to obey;" "...I am with you always;" "...to the end of the age;"
2) I remember the first time I had a genuine sense of Jesus being with me and knew that was what I was feeling. I was on the floor of the United Church in Fort Langley and Debbie Hemmens was leading a guided meditation for the youth and young adults gathered for worship and fellowship. I'd done "guided mediations" before, and found them relaxing, and interesting, but not much more than that. At a point in the meditation everything changed. We were imagining sitting with Jesus and asking him questions listening for his answers. But Jesus wasn't doing what he was supposed to do. He looked at me as if he could see right through me. I had this warm feeling, like cuddling with someone I trusted implicitly and loved deeply. Jesus wouldn't answer any of my questions, he just held me, saw me - all of me, and loved what he saw. After the meditation concluded, I couldn't talk about what I'd experienced right away, but later I spoke to my minister, Nancy Talbot. I realized I'd had that feeling a lot throughout my life. Moments when I felt absolutely known and loved. They were fleeting and rare, but stood out in my memory. I learned to savour the experience and to express gratitude for it. Eventually, I could remember and call it up when I needed it. It was very tangible in those days. It was really like someone was sharing space with me. The feeling isn't like that any more, it is still real, just different.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To remember, "I am with you always, to the end of the age." To perhaps recall that experience through out the day, maybe make an effort to remember that experience in a difficult moment.
"Holy One, teach me to remember and to obey."
Breathprayer: "With you... to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20
18And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’*
1) "...make disciples;" "...teach them to obey;" "...I am with you always;" "...to the end of the age;"
2) I remember the first time I had a genuine sense of Jesus being with me and knew that was what I was feeling. I was on the floor of the United Church in Fort Langley and Debbie Hemmens was leading a guided meditation for the youth and young adults gathered for worship and fellowship. I'd done "guided mediations" before, and found them relaxing, and interesting, but not much more than that. At a point in the meditation everything changed. We were imagining sitting with Jesus and asking him questions listening for his answers. But Jesus wasn't doing what he was supposed to do. He looked at me as if he could see right through me. I had this warm feeling, like cuddling with someone I trusted implicitly and loved deeply. Jesus wouldn't answer any of my questions, he just held me, saw me - all of me, and loved what he saw. After the meditation concluded, I couldn't talk about what I'd experienced right away, but later I spoke to my minister, Nancy Talbot. I realized I'd had that feeling a lot throughout my life. Moments when I felt absolutely known and loved. They were fleeting and rare, but stood out in my memory. I learned to savour the experience and to express gratitude for it. Eventually, I could remember and call it up when I needed it. It was very tangible in those days. It was really like someone was sharing space with me. The feeling isn't like that any more, it is still real, just different.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To remember, "I am with you always, to the end of the age." To perhaps recall that experience through out the day, maybe make an effort to remember that experience in a difficult moment.
"Holy One, teach me to remember and to obey."
Breathprayer: "With you... to the end of the age."
Wednesday 29 March 2017
"I Will Be Their God... They Shall Be My Poeple."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my community of faith. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy and compassion. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame. May we know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
2 Corinthians 6:16-17
16What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we* are the temple of the living God; as God said,
‘I will live in them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore come out from them,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch nothing unclean;
then I will welcome you,
1) "...we are the temple of the living God;" "...I will live in them;" "...I will welcome you;"
2) My first thought is to wonder whom Paul is quoting. It sounds like Jeremiah to me. "I will be their God, and they shall be my people." Paul is stretching interpretation to make his own point (surprise!). And I'm not sure what the relationship is between the first two sentences, what's the relationship between idols and us being the temple of God? Its a difficult text without some context. So what is being said right here, right now for me? "We are the temple of the living God." That is what Paul is proof texting. Not idols, not buildings or structures, but us. Our bodies, and the body of Christ that we constitute. We are the temple of the Living God. Do once again, I have to wonder, do we treat ourselves and one another as temples of the Living God?
3) What is the invitation in all this? Perhaps to take a walk and with each step, focus my attention on being a temple of the living God. Does that change how I move? How I feel? How I interact with the people around me?
"Holy One, live in me, walk with me, and be my God and I shall be your temple."
Breathprayer: "I will be their God... they shall be my people."
2 Corinthians 6:16-17
16What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we* are the temple of the living God; as God said,
‘I will live in them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore come out from them,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch nothing unclean;
then I will welcome you,
1) "...we are the temple of the living God;" "...I will live in them;" "...I will welcome you;"
2) My first thought is to wonder whom Paul is quoting. It sounds like Jeremiah to me. "I will be their God, and they shall be my people." Paul is stretching interpretation to make his own point (surprise!). And I'm not sure what the relationship is between the first two sentences, what's the relationship between idols and us being the temple of God? Its a difficult text without some context. So what is being said right here, right now for me? "We are the temple of the living God." That is what Paul is proof texting. Not idols, not buildings or structures, but us. Our bodies, and the body of Christ that we constitute. We are the temple of the Living God. Do once again, I have to wonder, do we treat ourselves and one another as temples of the Living God?
3) What is the invitation in all this? Perhaps to take a walk and with each step, focus my attention on being a temple of the living God. Does that change how I move? How I feel? How I interact with the people around me?
"Holy One, live in me, walk with me, and be my God and I shall be your temple."
Breathprayer: "I will be their God... they shall be my people."
Tuesday 28 March 2017
"Spirit within... Glorify God"
"I pray for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my community of faith. May we learn patience, tolerance, gentleness, compassion and empathy. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement and shame. May we know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19Or do you not know that your body is a temple* of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
1) "...a temple of the Holy Spirit;" "...you are not your own;" "...glorify God in your body."
2) Nope. We do not know this. It's something we talk about, maybe. But I expect very few of us actually trust, believe, acknowledge that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. And of course, which "body" is Paul speaking of at this moment? Is he talking about "the body of Christ" which is the church? Or is he speaking of our bodies of flesh? Usually, when he talks about "flesh" he is talking metaphorically about the world under the rule of sin and darkness, not our physical bodies at all. That's the problem of using metaphor on top of metaphor. Certainly, the Body of Christ is a temple of the Holy Spirit and we should glorify God in that body. But I think Paul is also wanting us to understand the reality of the gift God has given. We have been bought out of whatever bondage held us. And that is a physical reality. Do we glorify God in our bodies? Just this morning I'm thinking how much I need and want some exercise. It's been months since I've gone for a run because the weather has been so miserable. And now I'm anxious about having time to exercise and take the time for prayer and meditate daily. At least I'm sitting outside to journal, pray and meditate these days.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To respect the needs of my body a little more. To be more intentional about what I put into it, and what I expect out of it. To get some exercise. To consider how I treat all the members of the Body of Christ.
"Holy One, let me glorify you with my breath, with my words, with my actions."
Breathprayer: "Spirit within... Glorify God."
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19Or do you not know that your body is a temple* of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
1) "...a temple of the Holy Spirit;" "...you are not your own;" "...glorify God in your body."
2) Nope. We do not know this. It's something we talk about, maybe. But I expect very few of us actually trust, believe, acknowledge that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. And of course, which "body" is Paul speaking of at this moment? Is he talking about "the body of Christ" which is the church? Or is he speaking of our bodies of flesh? Usually, when he talks about "flesh" he is talking metaphorically about the world under the rule of sin and darkness, not our physical bodies at all. That's the problem of using metaphor on top of metaphor. Certainly, the Body of Christ is a temple of the Holy Spirit and we should glorify God in that body. But I think Paul is also wanting us to understand the reality of the gift God has given. We have been bought out of whatever bondage held us. And that is a physical reality. Do we glorify God in our bodies? Just this morning I'm thinking how much I need and want some exercise. It's been months since I've gone for a run because the weather has been so miserable. And now I'm anxious about having time to exercise and take the time for prayer and meditate daily. At least I'm sitting outside to journal, pray and meditate these days.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To respect the needs of my body a little more. To be more intentional about what I put into it, and what I expect out of it. To get some exercise. To consider how I treat all the members of the Body of Christ.
"Holy One, let me glorify you with my breath, with my words, with my actions."
Breathprayer: "Spirit within... Glorify God."
Monday 27 March 2017
"My Cup Overflows... My Whole Life Long."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my community of faith. May we learn patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion, and gentleness. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame. May we know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
Psalm 23:5-6
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely* goodness and mercy* shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
1) "...in the presence of my enemies;" "...all the days of my life;" "...my whole life long;"
2) It is quite something to know simultaneously being "in the presence of my enemies" and that "my cup overflows." Usually, when dealing with someone I find hard to be around, all sense of the abundant table, the anointing oil and the overflowing cup, go flying out the window. It takes effort in the presence of some people to remember that God is preparing a table before me, even as someone is yelling at me, either venting or truly being malicious - sometimes its impossible to tell the difference between someone venting and being malicious. It takes a lot of trust to trust that God is preparing a table in those moments. And discipline to remember, a discipline that sometimes (often?) escapes me. Its easy to experience my cup overflowing while I'm sitting in the small hours of the morning on my balcony, listening to the birds and the rain, studying my planters for signs of spring (signs that are finally there), hearing the occasional seagull, seeing an eagle (I miss the coyote, there have been far too many rats lately!). It is not so easy to remember I am in the house of the Lord when someone is yelling at me, or cutting me off in traffic, or driving too fast through a rain puddle while I'm on the sidewalk in my Sunday best getting soaked!
3) What is the invitation in all this? To trust that I am surrounded by goodness and mercy, that I dwell in the house of the Lord, even when things are not going my way. To continue to take time to truly experience the overflowing cup when it is easier, because that still nourishes me and prepares me for the day.
"Holy One, fill my cup."
Breathprayer: "My cup overflows... my whole life long."
Psalm 23:5-6
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely* goodness and mercy* shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
1) "...in the presence of my enemies;" "...all the days of my life;" "...my whole life long;"
2) It is quite something to know simultaneously being "in the presence of my enemies" and that "my cup overflows." Usually, when dealing with someone I find hard to be around, all sense of the abundant table, the anointing oil and the overflowing cup, go flying out the window. It takes effort in the presence of some people to remember that God is preparing a table before me, even as someone is yelling at me, either venting or truly being malicious - sometimes its impossible to tell the difference between someone venting and being malicious. It takes a lot of trust to trust that God is preparing a table in those moments. And discipline to remember, a discipline that sometimes (often?) escapes me. Its easy to experience my cup overflowing while I'm sitting in the small hours of the morning on my balcony, listening to the birds and the rain, studying my planters for signs of spring (signs that are finally there), hearing the occasional seagull, seeing an eagle (I miss the coyote, there have been far too many rats lately!). It is not so easy to remember I am in the house of the Lord when someone is yelling at me, or cutting me off in traffic, or driving too fast through a rain puddle while I'm on the sidewalk in my Sunday best getting soaked!
3) What is the invitation in all this? To trust that I am surrounded by goodness and mercy, that I dwell in the house of the Lord, even when things are not going my way. To continue to take time to truly experience the overflowing cup when it is easier, because that still nourishes me and prepares me for the day.
"Holy One, fill my cup."
Breathprayer: "My cup overflows... my whole life long."
Sunday 26 March 2017
"Green Pastures... Still Waters."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my community of faith. May we learn patience, tolerance, compassion, empathy and gentleness. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, self-centeredness, and ignorance. May we know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly. This morning, I say an extra prayer for our musician and his wife who is in labour and expecting any time now. May God continue to sneak up on and surprise all of us with challenge and joy."
Psalm 23:1-3
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;*
3 he restores my soul.*
He leads me in right paths*
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,*
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
1) "... I shall not want;" "...green pastures;" "...still waters;" "...restores my soul;" "...darkest valley;" "...comfort me;" "...lie down in green pastures;" "...restores my soul;" "...for his name's sake;" "...you are with me;" "...makes me lie down;" "...green pastures;"
2) Looking for green pastures, what I see around me are muddy fields. Months of unprecedented ice, snow and sanding have left us in a grey/brown hole as the rain comes down. Plants that have usually spent their bloom by the end of March are still weeks away from blooming. There is a hint of budding greenery on the riverbank. Birds are singing. Robbins flock the muddy patch beside the church looking for worms in the sod turned over by the raccoons looking for red beetles underneath. Geese fly over head, the occasional eagle swoops low over the condos. The green is slow in coming this year. Some years are like that, the green is slow to come.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To keep looking for the green. Perhaps to help the green along. I'll be heading to the greenhouse tomorrow. Good timing. Time to bring out the green.
"Holy One, lead us to green pastures, restore our souls."
Breathprayer: "Green pastures... still waters."
Psalm 23:1-3
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;*
3 he restores my soul.*
He leads me in right paths*
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,*
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
1) "... I shall not want;" "...green pastures;" "...still waters;" "...restores my soul;" "...darkest valley;" "...comfort me;" "...lie down in green pastures;" "...restores my soul;" "...for his name's sake;" "...you are with me;" "...makes me lie down;" "...green pastures;"
2) Looking for green pastures, what I see around me are muddy fields. Months of unprecedented ice, snow and sanding have left us in a grey/brown hole as the rain comes down. Plants that have usually spent their bloom by the end of March are still weeks away from blooming. There is a hint of budding greenery on the riverbank. Birds are singing. Robbins flock the muddy patch beside the church looking for worms in the sod turned over by the raccoons looking for red beetles underneath. Geese fly over head, the occasional eagle swoops low over the condos. The green is slow in coming this year. Some years are like that, the green is slow to come.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To keep looking for the green. Perhaps to help the green along. I'll be heading to the greenhouse tomorrow. Good timing. Time to bring out the green.
"Holy One, lead us to green pastures, restore our souls."
Breathprayer: "Green pastures... still waters."
Saturday 25 March 2017
"Make Known... the Hope of Glory."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my community of faith. I ask for patience, tolerance, gentleness, compassion and empathy. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame. May we know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Colossians 1:26-29
26the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me.
1) "...the mystery;" "...ages and generations;" "...God choose;" "...the riches of the glory of this mystery;" "...Christ in you;" "...the hope of glory;" "...teaching everyone in all wisdom;" "...mature in Christ;" "...I toil and struggle;" "...he powerfully inspires within me;" "...has now been revealed;" "...the mystery;" "...among the Gentiles;" "...the riches of the glory;" "...Christ in you;" "...this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;"
2) Another chain of beautiful words. So many possibilities for breathprayers to be sat with and absorbed: "the mystery... hidden, revealed;" "mystery... the hope of glory;" "mystery... revealed;" "Revealed... the hope of glory;" "Christ in you... the hope of glory;" "Wisdom... in spires within me;" so many options. Christ is in us... this is the mystery, hidden, now revealed. The Glory of God, Christ incarnate, is revealed in us. That is why Paul toiled and struggled. Why do we toil and struggle? I think if we were clear on this, it would make the toiling and struggling less. Clarity of purpose can make life so much easier. Do we sometimes betray the mystery revealed in us? How do I reveal the mystery more effectively?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To contemplate the mystery revealed in me. To accept and affirm it. To do my best to "warn and teach" others in all wisdom.
"Holy One, reveal the mystery to us. Powerfully inspire in us your hope, glory and wisdom."
Breathprayer: "Make known... the hope of glory."
Colossians 1:26-29
26the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me.
1) "...the mystery;" "...ages and generations;" "...God choose;" "...the riches of the glory of this mystery;" "...Christ in you;" "...the hope of glory;" "...teaching everyone in all wisdom;" "...mature in Christ;" "...I toil and struggle;" "...he powerfully inspires within me;" "...has now been revealed;" "...the mystery;" "...among the Gentiles;" "...the riches of the glory;" "...Christ in you;" "...this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;"
2) Another chain of beautiful words. So many possibilities for breathprayers to be sat with and absorbed: "the mystery... hidden, revealed;" "mystery... the hope of glory;" "mystery... revealed;" "Revealed... the hope of glory;" "Christ in you... the hope of glory;" "Wisdom... in spires within me;" so many options. Christ is in us... this is the mystery, hidden, now revealed. The Glory of God, Christ incarnate, is revealed in us. That is why Paul toiled and struggled. Why do we toil and struggle? I think if we were clear on this, it would make the toiling and struggling less. Clarity of purpose can make life so much easier. Do we sometimes betray the mystery revealed in us? How do I reveal the mystery more effectively?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To contemplate the mystery revealed in me. To accept and affirm it. To do my best to "warn and teach" others in all wisdom.
"Holy One, reveal the mystery to us. Powerfully inspire in us your hope, glory and wisdom."
Breathprayer: "Make known... the hope of glory."
Friday 24 March 2017
"Take, Eat... This Is My Body."
"I pray for the desire to pray and meditate for my community of faith. I ask for patience, tolerance, compassion, empathy and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
Matthew 26:26-30
26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ 27Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; 28for this is my blood of the* covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’
30 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
1) "...gave it to them;" "...gave it to them;" "...drink from it;" "...poured out for many;" "...fruit of the vine;" "...while they were eating;" "...drink from it;" "...all of you;" "...blood of the covenant;"
2) "...my blood of the covenant;" is what seals the covenant, like a signature, only more binding, blood was the life force itself. The wine reminds us just how binding this promise is. How often do I stop to share a meal with Jesus? How intentional am I in remembering the seal of the covenant in the meal? How intentional am I in remembering the nourishment is a gift? I say grace, I acknowledge presence, but so often my meals are really quite rushed.
3) What is the invitation in all this? At least one meal in the next day or so, to eat intentionally with Jesus. To let the nourishment remind me of the binding promise that God provides, God has provided, and God will provide until the end of time. Perhaps practicing the breathprayer throughout the meal with each breath.
"Holy One, in each meal, nourish us that we may seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with you."
Breathprayer: "Take, eat... this is my body."
Matthew 26:26-30
26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ 27Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; 28for this is my blood of the* covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’
30 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
1) "...gave it to them;" "...gave it to them;" "...drink from it;" "...poured out for many;" "...fruit of the vine;" "...while they were eating;" "...drink from it;" "...all of you;" "...blood of the covenant;"
2) "...my blood of the covenant;" is what seals the covenant, like a signature, only more binding, blood was the life force itself. The wine reminds us just how binding this promise is. How often do I stop to share a meal with Jesus? How intentional am I in remembering the seal of the covenant in the meal? How intentional am I in remembering the nourishment is a gift? I say grace, I acknowledge presence, but so often my meals are really quite rushed.
3) What is the invitation in all this? At least one meal in the next day or so, to eat intentionally with Jesus. To let the nourishment remind me of the binding promise that God provides, God has provided, and God will provide until the end of time. Perhaps practicing the breathprayer throughout the meal with each breath.
"Holy One, in each meal, nourish us that we may seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with you."
Breathprayer: "Take, eat... this is my body."
Thursday 23 March 2017
Daily Prayer with Rev David: "In the Lord... You Are LIght"
Daily Prayer with Rev David: "In the Lord... You Are LIght": "I pray for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my community of faith. May we learn patience, tolerance, gentleness, compassi...
"In the Lord... You Are LIght"
"I pray for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my community of faith. May we learn patience, tolerance, gentleness, compassion and empathy. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, discouragement, compulsive behaviour, and shame. May we know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
Ephesians 5:8-14
8For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
‘Sleeper, awake!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.’
1) "...in the Lord, you are light;" "...children of light;" "...good and right and true;" "...visible;" "...everything... visible is light;" "...rise from the dead;" "...Christ will shine on you;" "...live as children of light;" "...once you were in darkness;" "...in the Lord you are light;"
2) What does it mean to be "in the Lord?" It is opposed to our previous experience of being in darkness. Do we understand ourselves as having been in darkness... do we even know the difference between darkness and light? Perhaps there is the rub? We don't know our light from our darkness. Traditions that talk about "being saved" are clear about what they were saved from and for. What is our darkness? What is light for us? We move about in a fog of trusting that God has been good to us, but perhaps not as clear as we could be. I do know darkness. I remember. I remember loneliness and isolation. I remember the closet. I remember self-denial and a complete failure of self-identity and self-esteem. I remember loss and searching for meaning and purpose. AND, I know that those things passed. It isn't as clear as "then and now." Certainly I still have bad days, weeks, months. But even on my worst days, I know and trust that I am connected to more than I can imagine. I know there is meaning and purpose for me, even when I don't currently perceive it. I know that with a few still breaths, I can return to peace, awe, wonder and connection to the Sacred and the Holy. I know that I'm free of the closet, I have a powerful sense of who I am and what I have to offer. I am a child of light. I have always been a child of light, but now I know it and often, I even experience it. And all this in "light" of what I have said previously about "Lord" being night language for "What is." "The Lord" is absolutely present, in fused and accessible to, from and for all that is.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To help others identify their own movement from darkness into light. to help us accept and embrace the movement of good days, bad days, better day and worse days and to trust that they are all embraced by the God of light.
"Holy One, shine on us."
Breathprayer: "In the Lord... you are light."
Ephesians 5:8-14
8For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
‘Sleeper, awake!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.’
1) "...in the Lord, you are light;" "...children of light;" "...good and right and true;" "...visible;" "...everything... visible is light;" "...rise from the dead;" "...Christ will shine on you;" "...live as children of light;" "...once you were in darkness;" "...in the Lord you are light;"
2) What does it mean to be "in the Lord?" It is opposed to our previous experience of being in darkness. Do we understand ourselves as having been in darkness... do we even know the difference between darkness and light? Perhaps there is the rub? We don't know our light from our darkness. Traditions that talk about "being saved" are clear about what they were saved from and for. What is our darkness? What is light for us? We move about in a fog of trusting that God has been good to us, but perhaps not as clear as we could be. I do know darkness. I remember. I remember loneliness and isolation. I remember the closet. I remember self-denial and a complete failure of self-identity and self-esteem. I remember loss and searching for meaning and purpose. AND, I know that those things passed. It isn't as clear as "then and now." Certainly I still have bad days, weeks, months. But even on my worst days, I know and trust that I am connected to more than I can imagine. I know there is meaning and purpose for me, even when I don't currently perceive it. I know that with a few still breaths, I can return to peace, awe, wonder and connection to the Sacred and the Holy. I know that I'm free of the closet, I have a powerful sense of who I am and what I have to offer. I am a child of light. I have always been a child of light, but now I know it and often, I even experience it. And all this in "light" of what I have said previously about "Lord" being night language for "What is." "The Lord" is absolutely present, in fused and accessible to, from and for all that is.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To help others identify their own movement from darkness into light. to help us accept and embrace the movement of good days, bad days, better day and worse days and to trust that they are all embraced by the God of light.
"Holy One, shine on us."
Breathprayer: "In the Lord... you are light."
Wednesday 22 March 2017
"My Soul... Waits for the Lord."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my community of faith. May be tolerant, patient, gentle, compassionate and empathetic. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame. May we know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice loving kindness and walking humbly."
Psalm 130:5-8
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
8 It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.
1) "...wait for the Lord;" "...in his word, I hope;" "...my soul waits for the Lord;" "...more than those who watch for the morning;" "...hope in the Lord!" "...steadfast love;" "...power to redeem;" "...he... will redeem;"
2) As I read today, I think of Michael Dowd's distinction of "day language" and "night language" day language is transmission of information through precise, sometimes technical language to depict as denotatively as possible what is while night language is the language of metaphor, song, myth and scripture. I hear "Lord" as night language for the Cosmos, everything that is, what we know, and what we don't and what we cant, the push and the pull of creation. The "Lord" isn't just some old man with a long beard outside creation with his finger over a couple buttons labeled "smite" and "redeem." Steadfast love, redemption, hope, power, are infused in the very fabric of the cosmos, everything that is, that isn't, that could be. And that "Is-ness" favours what is, favours life, favours intelligence, favours diversity, favours community, favours chaos and order from the chaos. That "Is-ness" is me, and the members of my community (even the disagreeable ones), and the world we are serving. And that, I can wait for, my soul can wait for, even more than those who watch for the morning, more than those w ho watch for the morning.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To remember that as the world is turning to ashes all around us, the turning to ashes is happening in this context, a huge context in which it is worth waiting for the Lord. To patiently, humbly, kindly, justly, go on doing what we know is right. And once again, some days, we'll do better than others.
"Holy One, instill in me a sense of your sacred presence infused with all that is as I wait, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
Breathprayer: "My soul... waits for the Lord."
Psalm 130:5-8
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
8 It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.
1) "...wait for the Lord;" "...in his word, I hope;" "...my soul waits for the Lord;" "...more than those who watch for the morning;" "...hope in the Lord!" "...steadfast love;" "...power to redeem;" "...he... will redeem;"
2) As I read today, I think of Michael Dowd's distinction of "day language" and "night language" day language is transmission of information through precise, sometimes technical language to depict as denotatively as possible what is while night language is the language of metaphor, song, myth and scripture. I hear "Lord" as night language for the Cosmos, everything that is, what we know, and what we don't and what we cant, the push and the pull of creation. The "Lord" isn't just some old man with a long beard outside creation with his finger over a couple buttons labeled "smite" and "redeem." Steadfast love, redemption, hope, power, are infused in the very fabric of the cosmos, everything that is, that isn't, that could be. And that "Is-ness" favours what is, favours life, favours intelligence, favours diversity, favours community, favours chaos and order from the chaos. That "Is-ness" is me, and the members of my community (even the disagreeable ones), and the world we are serving. And that, I can wait for, my soul can wait for, even more than those who watch for the morning, more than those w ho watch for the morning.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To remember that as the world is turning to ashes all around us, the turning to ashes is happening in this context, a huge context in which it is worth waiting for the Lord. To patiently, humbly, kindly, justly, go on doing what we know is right. And once again, some days, we'll do better than others.
"Holy One, instill in me a sense of your sacred presence infused with all that is as I wait, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
Breathprayer: "My soul... waits for the Lord."
Tuesday 21 March 2017
"In His Word... I Hope."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my community of faith. May we learn patience, tolerance, compassion, empathy and gentleness. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, shame, and isolation. May we learn to listen to one another and create an environment of trust. May we discern together the presence and will of Christ Jesus, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly. Today I pray for my larger community of faith that extends beyond my own congregation as community continues to break down."
Psalm 130:1-5
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
2 Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
1) "...out of the depths:" "...I cry to you;" "...supplications;" "...there is forgiveness with you;" "...I wait for the Lord, my soul waits;" "...in his word, I hope;" "...my soul waits;" "...in his word, I hope;"
2) Once again, I hear many possibilities for breath prayers: "Out of the depths... I cry to you;" "I cry to you... hear my voice;" "Hear my voice... be attentive;" "wait for the Lord... my soul waits;" I could go on. I pull this psalm out of the lectionary for next week as I start preparation for Lent 5. It happens to fit the discouragement I'm feeling around regional relationships in the church. It frustrates me that we tend so strongly to isolation when I know that this is not how we discern God's will in the church, we discern God's will in community. But I can't force other people to participate in community with me. Everyone cries out of the depths: "I'm too busy!" "My life is harder than your life!" "You don't know what I've been through this year!" "My church's work is more important than your church's work!" "You don't trust me the way you should and that's an attack on me!" And the fact is we are leaderless. It is not dissimilar to the issues we face within our congregations, no one willing to step up and lead. No one willing to take responsibility for a process. No one letting go of their own cause long enough to hear the cause of the group, God's cause for the group. I hear the crying from the depths... where is the listening, waiting, hoping? No one steps up to lead because the people want to stone Moses.
3) What is the invitation in all this? Perhaps to take seriously the call to take up leadership? I have a strong impulse against that. I don't want that responsibility. But maybe I need to nurture a willingness to hear what God has to say about that?
"Holy One, teach us to wait and to find hope in the waiting."
Breathprayer: "In his word... I hope."
Psalm 130:1-5
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
2 Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
1) "...out of the depths:" "...I cry to you;" "...supplications;" "...there is forgiveness with you;" "...I wait for the Lord, my soul waits;" "...in his word, I hope;" "...my soul waits;" "...in his word, I hope;"
2) Once again, I hear many possibilities for breath prayers: "Out of the depths... I cry to you;" "I cry to you... hear my voice;" "Hear my voice... be attentive;" "wait for the Lord... my soul waits;" I could go on. I pull this psalm out of the lectionary for next week as I start preparation for Lent 5. It happens to fit the discouragement I'm feeling around regional relationships in the church. It frustrates me that we tend so strongly to isolation when I know that this is not how we discern God's will in the church, we discern God's will in community. But I can't force other people to participate in community with me. Everyone cries out of the depths: "I'm too busy!" "My life is harder than your life!" "You don't know what I've been through this year!" "My church's work is more important than your church's work!" "You don't trust me the way you should and that's an attack on me!" And the fact is we are leaderless. It is not dissimilar to the issues we face within our congregations, no one willing to step up and lead. No one willing to take responsibility for a process. No one letting go of their own cause long enough to hear the cause of the group, God's cause for the group. I hear the crying from the depths... where is the listening, waiting, hoping? No one steps up to lead because the people want to stone Moses.
3) What is the invitation in all this? Perhaps to take seriously the call to take up leadership? I have a strong impulse against that. I don't want that responsibility. But maybe I need to nurture a willingness to hear what God has to say about that?
"Holy One, teach us to wait and to find hope in the waiting."
Breathprayer: "In his word... I hope."
Monday 20 March 2017
"You Are in Me... and I Am in You."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my community of faith. I ask for patience, tolerance, compassion, gentleness and empathy. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame. May we know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
John 17:20-26
20 ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us,* so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
25 ‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’
1) "...that they may all be one;" "...may they also be in us;" "...so that they may be one;" "...that they may become completely one;" "...see my glory;" "...loved me before the foundation of the world;"
2) Wow, don't try to figure this one out with your head, it talks in circles, but feel for the call to oneness. We don't do this well as a church. The Protestant tradition blew this vision of oneness all to smithereens. though, to be fair, the "oneness" that had been was one of violence, oppression, and silencing of diversity, which is to say a false oneness. Will we learn to be one in our diversity? That is what Paul calls for, one body that celebrates the diversity of the parts, in which each part is paid honour. Do we even want to be one? I would gladly be one for a kingdom of God that honoured all the parts. But so many visions of oneness do not include and honour everyone: people of racial minority, aboriginal people, LGBTTQ+ people, women, people living in poverty, or with mental illness... the list could go on and on. Do we here at Trinity represent oneness on all these issues? I don't know. Do the churches of the Loughheed Corridor? I don't know. Does the United Church of Canada? Perhaps the General Council, but honestly, I don't know. There are ideals, then there is what we are willing to let go of to make real change.
3) What is the invitation in all this. Humility. We are not all that. To remember there is a reason we tell as story of the "fall" and "original sin". To remember there is a reason we look to God for reconciliation and healing and not to ourselves or our own institutions. To place all this brokenness and division before God.
"God help us all."
Breathprayer: "You are in me... and I am in you."
John 17:20-26
20 ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us,* so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
25 ‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’
1) "...that they may all be one;" "...may they also be in us;" "...so that they may be one;" "...that they may become completely one;" "...see my glory;" "...loved me before the foundation of the world;"
2) Wow, don't try to figure this one out with your head, it talks in circles, but feel for the call to oneness. We don't do this well as a church. The Protestant tradition blew this vision of oneness all to smithereens. though, to be fair, the "oneness" that had been was one of violence, oppression, and silencing of diversity, which is to say a false oneness. Will we learn to be one in our diversity? That is what Paul calls for, one body that celebrates the diversity of the parts, in which each part is paid honour. Do we even want to be one? I would gladly be one for a kingdom of God that honoured all the parts. But so many visions of oneness do not include and honour everyone: people of racial minority, aboriginal people, LGBTTQ+ people, women, people living in poverty, or with mental illness... the list could go on and on. Do we here at Trinity represent oneness on all these issues? I don't know. Do the churches of the Loughheed Corridor? I don't know. Does the United Church of Canada? Perhaps the General Council, but honestly, I don't know. There are ideals, then there is what we are willing to let go of to make real change.
3) What is the invitation in all this. Humility. We are not all that. To remember there is a reason we tell as story of the "fall" and "original sin". To remember there is a reason we look to God for reconciliation and healing and not to ourselves or our own institutions. To place all this brokenness and division before God.
"God help us all."
Breathprayer: "You are in me... and I am in you."
Sunday 19 March 2017
"I Am the Father... the Father Is in Me."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my community of faith. Today I pray for our wider church, an institution that is struggling, an institution that is experiencing conflict within itself, an institution that has committed atrocities for which it is attempting to make amends, but is not always aware of its privilege and responsibility. We can be terribly easily distracted by minutia. May we experience patience, tolerance, empathy and compassion. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, self-centeredness, discouragement, and shame. May we know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
John 14:9-14
9Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me* for anything, I will do it.
1) "...you do not know me;" "...the father is in me;" "...dwells in me;" "...do the works that I do;" "...will do greater works than these;" "...glorified in the son;" "...I will do it."
2) I find passages like this so opaque. John putting complex philosophical statements into the mouth of Jesus. It is hard to get out of my head with such passages and into my heart. I do really want to know if Jesus first sentence in this passage (v9) is a question or a statement. I prefer it to be a statement. After all this time, Philip still doesn't know Jesus. That makes complete sense to me. How can we come to know Jesus fully? What arrogance to think we might. So what is Jesus asking? Once again, if I read "trust" in lieu of "believe" the passage opens up a little more to me. I do hear the compelling... "do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater."
3) What is the invitation in all this? To walk into the mystery. To hear the commandment to do the works that Jesus did, and to obey to the best of my ability.
"Holy One, please, help me to love graciously, especially when it is most difficult to do so."
Breathprayer: "I am the Father... the Father is in me."
John 14:9-14
9Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me* for anything, I will do it.
1) "...you do not know me;" "...the father is in me;" "...dwells in me;" "...do the works that I do;" "...will do greater works than these;" "...glorified in the son;" "...I will do it."
2) I find passages like this so opaque. John putting complex philosophical statements into the mouth of Jesus. It is hard to get out of my head with such passages and into my heart. I do really want to know if Jesus first sentence in this passage (v9) is a question or a statement. I prefer it to be a statement. After all this time, Philip still doesn't know Jesus. That makes complete sense to me. How can we come to know Jesus fully? What arrogance to think we might. So what is Jesus asking? Once again, if I read "trust" in lieu of "believe" the passage opens up a little more to me. I do hear the compelling... "do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater."
3) What is the invitation in all this? To walk into the mystery. To hear the commandment to do the works that Jesus did, and to obey to the best of my ability.
"Holy One, please, help me to love graciously, especially when it is most difficult to do so."
Breathprayer: "I am the Father... the Father is in me."
Saturday 18 March 2017
"Believe in God... and Prepare a Place."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate regularly for my community of faith. I ask for patience, tolerance, gentleness, empathy, and compassion. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
John 14:1-4
14‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe* in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?* 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going.’*
1) "...heart be troubled:" "...many dwelling places;" "...I will come again;" "...take you to myself;" "...you may be also;" "...you know;" "Do not let your hearts be troubled;"
2) It is hard to not be troubled. I need a constant reminder. And it isn't little things either. LGBTQ people being persecuted in Nigeria needing refuge. Millions of people fleeing violence in the middle east. Canada's unjust participation in systems that prevent people from finding refuge because we act out of fear (troubled hearts), rather than out of need and compassion. 'Do not let your hearts be troubled.' Can I be concerned, without being troubled? Can I acknowledge the enormity of the violence, injustice and atrocity in the world without being troubled and still be human? Can I have empathy and not be troubled? 'Do not let your hearts be troubled." It doesn't say "Don't do anything." It doesn't absolve anyone of the crimes they commit. In fact, in the next couple verses, we will be reminded that to follow Jesus, the way the truth and the light, is to do what Jesus does and to serve the world and he has served us... giving of our whole selves. Perhaps what is meant by a "troubled heart" is a heart that stops loving graciously. And I should hear this as, "Do not stop loving graciously." Do not let the peril in the world stop you from loving and giving everything. Do not let the evil out there justify evil in here. And, of course, when I read the word "believe" I hear the word "trust." so: "Do not stop loving graciously. Trust in God, trust also in me."
3) What is the invitation in all this? To continue to give all I am to trusting God and to not let the weight of what is wrong in the world to justify not loving graciously. To "repent" and turn once again from despair in the world, and chose hope because that is simply what it means to "hear and obey."
"Holy One, keep me loving graciously, even when my heart breaks and when I have no reason to love."
Breathprayer: "Believe in God... and prepare a place."
John 14:1-4
14‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe* in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?* 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going.’*
1) "...heart be troubled:" "...many dwelling places;" "...I will come again;" "...take you to myself;" "...you may be also;" "...you know;" "Do not let your hearts be troubled;"
2) It is hard to not be troubled. I need a constant reminder. And it isn't little things either. LGBTQ people being persecuted in Nigeria needing refuge. Millions of people fleeing violence in the middle east. Canada's unjust participation in systems that prevent people from finding refuge because we act out of fear (troubled hearts), rather than out of need and compassion. 'Do not let your hearts be troubled.' Can I be concerned, without being troubled? Can I acknowledge the enormity of the violence, injustice and atrocity in the world without being troubled and still be human? Can I have empathy and not be troubled? 'Do not let your hearts be troubled." It doesn't say "Don't do anything." It doesn't absolve anyone of the crimes they commit. In fact, in the next couple verses, we will be reminded that to follow Jesus, the way the truth and the light, is to do what Jesus does and to serve the world and he has served us... giving of our whole selves. Perhaps what is meant by a "troubled heart" is a heart that stops loving graciously. And I should hear this as, "Do not stop loving graciously." Do not let the peril in the world stop you from loving and giving everything. Do not let the evil out there justify evil in here. And, of course, when I read the word "believe" I hear the word "trust." so: "Do not stop loving graciously. Trust in God, trust also in me."
3) What is the invitation in all this? To continue to give all I am to trusting God and to not let the weight of what is wrong in the world to justify not loving graciously. To "repent" and turn once again from despair in the world, and chose hope because that is simply what it means to "hear and obey."
"Holy One, keep me loving graciously, even when my heart breaks and when I have no reason to love."
Breathprayer: "Believe in God... and prepare a place."
Thursday 16 March 2017
"Day by Day... the Glory of God."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my congregation. May we express patience, tolerance, compassion, empathy, and gentleness. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, and discouragement. May we know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
13 But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—‘I believed, and so I spoke’—we also believe, and so we speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. 15Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
5For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
1) "...same spirit;" "...raise us also with Jesus;" "...into his presence;" "...to the glory of God;" "... we do not lose heart;" "...renewed day by day;" "...glory beyond all measure;" "...eternal in the heavens;" "...spirit of faith;" "...so that grace... may increase thanksgiving;" "...eternal weight of glory;" "...weight of glory;" "...beyond all measure;"
2) the difference between what we see and what we do not see is beyond all measure. I'm reminded of the Buddhist proverb, "A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed." Paul's "outer nature" may be wasting away, but his affliction is like a spoon of salt in an infinite lake. And his spirit faith, grows his awareness, his inner nature day by day... I love the image of "weight of glory beyond all measure." He cannot lose heart. His heart is growing. I'm studying Romans 5 this week for worship: "suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and our hope is not disappointed for God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit we have been given." And so he boasts in his suffering. And this Love was poured into our hearts while we were still weak, ungodly, sinners and even enemies. When is it possible that God's love was not being poured into our hearts?!?
3) what is the invitation in all this? to be renewed day by day. Even as my outer nature wastes away, my inner nature can be renewed. To shift focus from the "perishing of the outer nature" to "the eternal weight of the glory beyond all measure."
"Holy One, renew our inner nature, that we may be prepared for the eternal weight of glory beyond all measure."
Breathprayer: "Day by day... the glory of God."
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
13 But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—‘I believed, and so I spoke’—we also believe, and so we speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. 15Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
5For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
1) "...same spirit;" "...raise us also with Jesus;" "...into his presence;" "...to the glory of God;" "... we do not lose heart;" "...renewed day by day;" "...glory beyond all measure;" "...eternal in the heavens;" "...spirit of faith;" "...so that grace... may increase thanksgiving;" "...eternal weight of glory;" "...weight of glory;" "...beyond all measure;"
2) the difference between what we see and what we do not see is beyond all measure. I'm reminded of the Buddhist proverb, "A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed." Paul's "outer nature" may be wasting away, but his affliction is like a spoon of salt in an infinite lake. And his spirit faith, grows his awareness, his inner nature day by day... I love the image of "weight of glory beyond all measure." He cannot lose heart. His heart is growing. I'm studying Romans 5 this week for worship: "suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and our hope is not disappointed for God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit we have been given." And so he boasts in his suffering. And this Love was poured into our hearts while we were still weak, ungodly, sinners and even enemies. When is it possible that God's love was not being poured into our hearts?!?
3) what is the invitation in all this? to be renewed day by day. Even as my outer nature wastes away, my inner nature can be renewed. To shift focus from the "perishing of the outer nature" to "the eternal weight of the glory beyond all measure."
"Holy One, renew our inner nature, that we may be prepared for the eternal weight of glory beyond all measure."
Breathprayer: "Day by day... the glory of God."
Wednesday 15 March 2017
"Lord, Lord... Open to Us."
"I ask for the desire to pray and meditate for my congregation regularly. May we find patience, tolerance, gentleness, compassion and empathy. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement and shame. May we know and follow Jesus more closely."
Matthew 25:1-13
‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids* took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.* 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” 7Then all those bridesmaids* got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” 9But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids* came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” 12But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
1) "...foolish;" "...wise;" "...all of them became drowsy and slept;" "...keep awake;" "...you know neither the day nor the hour;"
2) Paul reverses the meaning of foolish and wise, did Matthew do the same? Does "wise" mean selfish, unkind, stingy? Do we need to be concerned that "there will not be enough for you and us?" Will Jesus really not recognize us for any reason? I think there is a trick in this story. Rather, I think we will show up late in the night; we are more likely to refuse to share our resources; we will fail to recognize the needy when they come to our door and ask to be let in... we do that all the time, especially for fear that we will not have enough. Jesus, even in the Gospel of Matthew self-identifies with the marginalized, not the wealthy. The "wise" in this story, seem self-appointed. For the Kingdom of heaven to be like this, Jesus must be self identifying with "the other bridesmaids." The disciples are the bridegrooms. Other followers are the "wise" bridesmaids. The command in the end isn't "make sure you have enough oil in the first place," but "keep awake!" It occurs to me that a little later, in the Garden, Jesus will pray, the disciples (both the "wise" and the "foolish") will sleep and Judas will show up with the soldiers. Both the wise and the foolish were drowsy and slept.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To keep praying even though I am drowsy and want to sleep. To "sleep" is to lose attention and focus, to get distracted, to turn away from the path, the way, the truth and the light.
"Holy One, keep me focused on your way, that I may witness the Kingdom of Heaven."
Breathprayer: "Lord, lord... open to us."
Matthew 25:1-13
‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids* took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.* 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” 7Then all those bridesmaids* got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” 9But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids* came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” 12But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
1) "...foolish;" "...wise;" "...all of them became drowsy and slept;" "...keep awake;" "...you know neither the day nor the hour;"
2) Paul reverses the meaning of foolish and wise, did Matthew do the same? Does "wise" mean selfish, unkind, stingy? Do we need to be concerned that "there will not be enough for you and us?" Will Jesus really not recognize us for any reason? I think there is a trick in this story. Rather, I think we will show up late in the night; we are more likely to refuse to share our resources; we will fail to recognize the needy when they come to our door and ask to be let in... we do that all the time, especially for fear that we will not have enough. Jesus, even in the Gospel of Matthew self-identifies with the marginalized, not the wealthy. The "wise" in this story, seem self-appointed. For the Kingdom of heaven to be like this, Jesus must be self identifying with "the other bridesmaids." The disciples are the bridegrooms. Other followers are the "wise" bridesmaids. The command in the end isn't "make sure you have enough oil in the first place," but "keep awake!" It occurs to me that a little later, in the Garden, Jesus will pray, the disciples (both the "wise" and the "foolish") will sleep and Judas will show up with the soldiers. Both the wise and the foolish were drowsy and slept.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To keep praying even though I am drowsy and want to sleep. To "sleep" is to lose attention and focus, to get distracted, to turn away from the path, the way, the truth and the light.
"Holy One, keep me focused on your way, that I may witness the Kingdom of Heaven."
Breathprayer: "Lord, lord... open to us."
Tuesday 14 March 2017
"The Night Is Gone... the Day Is Near."
"I come to pray frustrated, angry and concerned this morning for the state of the world. Today I feel the pain of 4.5 million people displaced, without home or even refuge. I'm angry at a government here that pays lip service to welcoming those seeking refuge, but then does little to change its laws to make entering the country easier for those who are desperate. I'm feeling for two of the three refugee families we are trying to sponsor, for whom the cue has stopped moving. I feel for their families here who wait in desperation, losing hope. I pray for clarity around what we can do, and need to do for these people. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion, gentleness, humility and kindness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, discouragement, compulsive behaviour, and shame. I ask that we may know and follow Jesus more closely."
Romans 13:11-14
11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; 13let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
1) "...wake from sleep;" "...salvation is nearer... than when we became believers;" "...the night is far gone;" "...the day is near;" "...put on the armour of light;" "...put on the Lord Jesus Christ;" "
2) Regardless of what we perceive to be the outcome, we are to continue doing what we know is right, trusting that the day is near. I'm struck by the unfortunate metaphor of flesh and its "desires." It is clear in the context of the letter that Paul is speaking metaphorically, not of our physical bodies vs our spiritual souls. They are one and the same to Paul, but he is speaking of the way of Adam and the way of Christ. the way of ignoring God's path and the way of turning to face the target of God's purpose for us, even if we are inclined to miss that target (the literal meaning of the Hebrew word for 'sin'). What is it to trust that "salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers"? Do we make less war? Do fewer die of hunger? Are fewer the victims of violence and oppression? I don't know. Who's keeping score? But I'm still called to put on the armour. I'm still accountable to doing what is right, regardless of the outcome.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To keep doing what I can and let go of what I can't do. The serenity prayer comes to mind today: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. May we be wise enough to know and act when we can.
"Holy One, vest us in the armour of light when we most need it."
Breathprayer: "The night is gone... the day is near."
Romans 13:11-14
11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; 13let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
1) "...wake from sleep;" "...salvation is nearer... than when we became believers;" "...the night is far gone;" "...the day is near;" "...put on the armour of light;" "...put on the Lord Jesus Christ;" "
2) Regardless of what we perceive to be the outcome, we are to continue doing what we know is right, trusting that the day is near. I'm struck by the unfortunate metaphor of flesh and its "desires." It is clear in the context of the letter that Paul is speaking metaphorically, not of our physical bodies vs our spiritual souls. They are one and the same to Paul, but he is speaking of the way of Adam and the way of Christ. the way of ignoring God's path and the way of turning to face the target of God's purpose for us, even if we are inclined to miss that target (the literal meaning of the Hebrew word for 'sin'). What is it to trust that "salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers"? Do we make less war? Do fewer die of hunger? Are fewer the victims of violence and oppression? I don't know. Who's keeping score? But I'm still called to put on the armour. I'm still accountable to doing what is right, regardless of the outcome.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To keep doing what I can and let go of what I can't do. The serenity prayer comes to mind today: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. May we be wise enough to know and act when we can.
"Holy One, vest us in the armour of light when we most need it."
Breathprayer: "The night is gone... the day is near."
Monday 13 March 2017
"Going out... and Coming in."
"I pray for Trinity United Church, and I pray for myself as their spiritual leader. I ask for the desire to pray and meditate, especially when my heart is heavy and breaking. May we have patience, tolerance, gentleness, compassion, empathy, and humility. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement and crippling shame. May we know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
Psalm 121:5-8
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and for evermore.
1) "...your keeper;" "...your shade;" "...from all evil;" "...for evermore;"
2) I want to say, "The Lord is your keeper... except when he isn't; the Lord is your shade at your right hand... except when he isn't; he will keep you... except when he doesn't." Some days. Where were you when I thought it was a good idea to do this? Where were you when I really needed to NOT act compulsively, but I did? Where were you when compassion was being called of me, but I couldn't feel anything? Where were you when I needed to be patient and gentle, but I was too frustrated? "The Lord will keep you form all evil?" Clearly, I receive and dish out my own share of evil. And I don't think it's fair to say that it's for a lack of trying to stay close to God. Are the claims of this psalm just too inflated? Or do they make a promise that is still off into the future? Like being promised I'll be a concert pianist, but I'm still studying the first few scales and strengthening my hands? Even though my skill improves, the scales get harder.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To keep doing the scales and let go of the outcome. To develop greater understanding when I encounter people who are struggling with the first few lessons because I know the skills take time to develop and it isn't easy... and I've been studying for years. To trust that I am actually improving, even when I don't experience the improvement myself.
"Holy One, keep my going out and my coming in."
Breathprayer: "Going out... and coming in."
Psalm 121:5-8
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and for evermore.
1) "...your keeper;" "...your shade;" "...from all evil;" "...for evermore;"
2) I want to say, "The Lord is your keeper... except when he isn't; the Lord is your shade at your right hand... except when he isn't; he will keep you... except when he doesn't." Some days. Where were you when I thought it was a good idea to do this? Where were you when I really needed to NOT act compulsively, but I did? Where were you when compassion was being called of me, but I couldn't feel anything? Where were you when I needed to be patient and gentle, but I was too frustrated? "The Lord will keep you form all evil?" Clearly, I receive and dish out my own share of evil. And I don't think it's fair to say that it's for a lack of trying to stay close to God. Are the claims of this psalm just too inflated? Or do they make a promise that is still off into the future? Like being promised I'll be a concert pianist, but I'm still studying the first few scales and strengthening my hands? Even though my skill improves, the scales get harder.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To keep doing the scales and let go of the outcome. To develop greater understanding when I encounter people who are struggling with the first few lessons because I know the skills take time to develop and it isn't easy... and I've been studying for years. To trust that I am actually improving, even when I don't experience the improvement myself.
"Holy One, keep my going out and my coming in."
Breathprayer: "Going out... and coming in."
Sunday 12 March 2017
"The Lord... Who Made Heaven and Earth."
"I pray for the desire to pray and meditate. I ask to discern for my community of faith. Somewhere in this time, may I get a glimpse of something that nourishes me for the day ahead, something to inform our consciousness. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, gentleness and compassion. I ask that we abstain from anxiety, anger, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame. I ask that we come to know and follow Jesus more closely."
Psalm 121:1-4
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
1) "...to the hills;" "...who made heaven and earth;" "...lift up my eyes;" "...who made heaven and earth;" "...I lift up my eyes to the hills"
2) I hear the words to the familiar hymn, "Unto the hills around do I lift up..." It occurs to me that between weather and my work hours, I've spent very little time outside. I feel I've had my eyes on the ground about a foot in front of me for months now, concentrating on the next step, and the next... and the next... I've not been running in the morning for the weather; I've not been on my balcony, both because of the weather, but also because I've not had time to clean my balcony up after our "second winter," third? And I'm not usually walking to work either because I just don't have time, or the weather is too nasty. The few minutes I do get outside, I treasure. I loved the walk to the restaurant with a friend the other night. Trinity's focus is often so on our feet. We are so busy. So much to do and get done: meetings, events, fundraisers, socials, aid and service. Yes we worship... and we worship well together, but that's more work for some of us. Even the fun stuff is more stuff on the schedule in a busy season. Everything is too close, its is impossible to see the hills.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To lift up my eyes. To take some rest from one foot in front of the other long enough to breathe in some fresh air and remember "from where will my help come."
"Holy One, lift my eyes. Remind me who made heaven and earth."
Breathprayer: "The Lord... who made heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:1-4
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
1) "...to the hills;" "...who made heaven and earth;" "...lift up my eyes;" "...who made heaven and earth;" "...I lift up my eyes to the hills"
2) I hear the words to the familiar hymn, "Unto the hills around do I lift up..." It occurs to me that between weather and my work hours, I've spent very little time outside. I feel I've had my eyes on the ground about a foot in front of me for months now, concentrating on the next step, and the next... and the next... I've not been running in the morning for the weather; I've not been on my balcony, both because of the weather, but also because I've not had time to clean my balcony up after our "second winter," third? And I'm not usually walking to work either because I just don't have time, or the weather is too nasty. The few minutes I do get outside, I treasure. I loved the walk to the restaurant with a friend the other night. Trinity's focus is often so on our feet. We are so busy. So much to do and get done: meetings, events, fundraisers, socials, aid and service. Yes we worship... and we worship well together, but that's more work for some of us. Even the fun stuff is more stuff on the schedule in a busy season. Everything is too close, its is impossible to see the hills.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To lift up my eyes. To take some rest from one foot in front of the other long enough to breathe in some fresh air and remember "from where will my help come."
"Holy One, lift my eyes. Remind me who made heaven and earth."
Breathprayer: "The Lord... who made heaven and earth."
Saturday 11 March 2017
"He Was Praying... He Was Changed."
"I pray for my community of faith, Trinity United Church. Guide us through these times of change and adaptation. I ask for patience, gentleness, empathy, compassion, and tolerance. I ask that we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame. I ask that we know and follow Jesus more intimately."
Luke 9:28-36
28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus* took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake,* they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings,* one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. 34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen;* listen to him!’ 36When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
1) "...to pray;" "...he was praying;" "...they appeared in glory;" "...in glory;" "...weighed down with sleep;" "...his glory;" "...it is good;" "...listen to him;" "...while he was praying;" "...changed;" "...in glory;" "...weighed down with sleep;" "...weighed down;" "...saw his glory;" "...good for us;" "...terrified as they entered the cloud;"
2) I know "weighed down with sleep." That's when they see the transfiguration... while weighed down with sleep. I sometimes really struggle to stay awake while in prayer in the early hours, especially while meditating... and the not so early hours. In fact, meditating at noon is almost invariably an uncomfortable sitting nap! But still, I do it because if I don't, I lose touch. I know being "weighed down" by other things too. Peter gets the message wrong by himself - not knowing what he said. it isn't enough to see the change and witness the prophets. We need to hear the message and choose the right course of action. "listen to him." What is Jesus saying? Clearly, the three never did understand what Jesus, Moses and Elijah were talking about. Given every opportunity, they still didn't get it. And yet... this is the rock. These disciples who don't know what they are saying will be the foundation of the church.
3) what is the invitation in all this? Perhaps to be more gentle when folks "don't know what they are saying." Jesus/God repeat the same thing to Peter, James and John over and over and over again and they don't get it until the resurrection, and even then, some of them are pretty slow on the uptake. Why would we be any different?
"Holy One, teach me patience and trust."
Breathprayer: "He was praying... he was changed."
Luke 9:28-36
28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus* took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake,* they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings,* one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. 34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen;* listen to him!’ 36When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
1) "...to pray;" "...he was praying;" "...they appeared in glory;" "...in glory;" "...weighed down with sleep;" "...his glory;" "...it is good;" "...listen to him;" "...while he was praying;" "...changed;" "...in glory;" "...weighed down with sleep;" "...weighed down;" "...saw his glory;" "...good for us;" "...terrified as they entered the cloud;"
2) I know "weighed down with sleep." That's when they see the transfiguration... while weighed down with sleep. I sometimes really struggle to stay awake while in prayer in the early hours, especially while meditating... and the not so early hours. In fact, meditating at noon is almost invariably an uncomfortable sitting nap! But still, I do it because if I don't, I lose touch. I know being "weighed down" by other things too. Peter gets the message wrong by himself - not knowing what he said. it isn't enough to see the change and witness the prophets. We need to hear the message and choose the right course of action. "listen to him." What is Jesus saying? Clearly, the three never did understand what Jesus, Moses and Elijah were talking about. Given every opportunity, they still didn't get it. And yet... this is the rock. These disciples who don't know what they are saying will be the foundation of the church.
3) what is the invitation in all this? Perhaps to be more gentle when folks "don't know what they are saying." Jesus/God repeat the same thing to Peter, James and John over and over and over again and they don't get it until the resurrection, and even then, some of them are pretty slow on the uptake. Why would we be any different?
"Holy One, teach me patience and trust."
Breathprayer: "He was praying... he was changed."
Friday 10 March 2017
"Hear His Voice... Enter My Rest."
"I pray for my community of faith as we struggle with growth and change. I pray for the hardness of our hearts, our stubbornness and resistance to letting go of what has been comfortable and familiar. I pray for the stiffness of my own neck to learning new ways to model, teach and lead. I ask for patience, gentleness, empathy, compassion, and wisdom. I ask to abstain from anger (especially while driving), anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement (especially when feeling like I'm bashing my head against the wall explaining the same thing for the umpteenth time), and shame. I pray to be made sufficiently aware of God's presence that my day may be more deeply grounded in the divine."
Hebrews 3:7-13
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,
‘Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
as on the day of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors put me to the test,
though they had seen my works 10for forty years.
Therefore I was angry with that generation,
and I said, “They always go astray in their hearts,
and they have not known my ways.”
11 As in my anger I swore,
“They will not enter my rest.” ’
12Take care, brothers and sisters,* that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today’, so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
1) "...hear his voice;" "...do not harden your hearts;" "...testing in the wilderness;" "...my works;" "...forty years;" "...astray in their hearts;" "...the living God;" "...exhort one another;" "...every day;" "...every day;" "...EVERY DAY;"
2) It occurs to me that I am 45 this last week. I have certainly "seen [God's] works for forty years." I am particularly struck by the call to exhort one another every day. I'm not sure we are very good at exhorting one another. "Exhort" is one of those words I want to look up. I'm assuming it means to both encourage and admonish if necessary. And this is a call to the whole community - not just the leaders, all members are called to exhort one another. Every day. We need to be exhorted on a daily basis. How do we do that? How often do we encourage? thank? check-in? correct? and the result of not exhorting regularly is becoming "hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." How easy is it to deceive myself that something is write when it is wrong. I certainly watch other people do it all the time... every day.
3) What is the invitation in all this? There is a particular situation in which someone is not learning what I want them to learn. I'm the one who needs to learn that they aren't going to learn it in my time. My own stubbornness in teaching them isn't helping. So I need to let go of my own hardened heart, continue to exhort and let it go. I won't change them without changing myself.
"Holy One, exhort me to take care of my brothers and sisters that none of us may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from you."
Breathprayer: "Hear his voice... enter my rest."
Hebrews 3:7-13
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,
‘Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
as on the day of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors put me to the test,
though they had seen my works 10for forty years.
Therefore I was angry with that generation,
and I said, “They always go astray in their hearts,
and they have not known my ways.”
11 As in my anger I swore,
“They will not enter my rest.” ’
12Take care, brothers and sisters,* that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today’, so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
1) "...hear his voice;" "...do not harden your hearts;" "...testing in the wilderness;" "...my works;" "...forty years;" "...astray in their hearts;" "...the living God;" "...exhort one another;" "...every day;" "...every day;" "...EVERY DAY;"
2) It occurs to me that I am 45 this last week. I have certainly "seen [God's] works for forty years." I am particularly struck by the call to exhort one another every day. I'm not sure we are very good at exhorting one another. "Exhort" is one of those words I want to look up. I'm assuming it means to both encourage and admonish if necessary. And this is a call to the whole community - not just the leaders, all members are called to exhort one another. Every day. We need to be exhorted on a daily basis. How do we do that? How often do we encourage? thank? check-in? correct? and the result of not exhorting regularly is becoming "hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." How easy is it to deceive myself that something is write when it is wrong. I certainly watch other people do it all the time... every day.
3) What is the invitation in all this? There is a particular situation in which someone is not learning what I want them to learn. I'm the one who needs to learn that they aren't going to learn it in my time. My own stubbornness in teaching them isn't helping. So I need to let go of my own hardened heart, continue to exhort and let it go. I won't change them without changing myself.
"Holy One, exhort me to take care of my brothers and sisters that none of us may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from you."
Breathprayer: "Hear his voice... enter my rest."
Thursday 9 March 2017
"Be Glad... and Shout for Joy."
"I pray for the individuals under my pastoral care. In particular, I pray for those feeling alienated, estranged, isolated and overwhelmed. I pray that in this time of prayer, I may get some small glimpse of what is divine and that my actions, words and thoughts through out the day will be formed by that glimpse; that affirmation that we are not alone, that creation is great and good and that we participate in it, and that we have a purpose and capacity to contribute to that greatness and goodness. I ask for humility, gentleness, patience, compassion, and empathy for all of us. I ask that we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement and shame."
Psalm 32:8-11
8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
else it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the torments of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
1) "...my eye upon you;" "...do not be like a horse or mule;" "...steadfast love;" "...be glad;" "...rejoice;" "...shout for joy;"
2) I can hear the last verse being sung in response. I appreciate the humour of verse 9... and the accuracy of the description. I know I've been there, and I certainly see members of my community there. Especially when I start talking about the importance of social media: eyes glaze over, heads fall onto tables, heavy sighs... its like asking a five year old to clean her room. It is the temper of the horse or mule that is responsible for the distance that grows. Resisting instruction is part of our nature. We need instruction on not resisting instruction. Verse 10 actually implies that resisting instruction leads to torment. Can we trust the Lord? will we? Can we trust the people we put in place to help us hear what the Lord is saying? Is it possible to instruct in a way that creates less resistant?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To trust when God is teaching me something new and not resist the lesson, but to be glad and rejoice that I'm being taught.
"Holy One, instruct us and curb us with bit and bridle if you must, just keep us near."
Breathprayer: "Be glad... and shout for joy."
Psalm 32:8-11
8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
else it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the torments of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
1) "...my eye upon you;" "...do not be like a horse or mule;" "...steadfast love;" "...be glad;" "...rejoice;" "...shout for joy;"
2) I can hear the last verse being sung in response. I appreciate the humour of verse 9... and the accuracy of the description. I know I've been there, and I certainly see members of my community there. Especially when I start talking about the importance of social media: eyes glaze over, heads fall onto tables, heavy sighs... its like asking a five year old to clean her room. It is the temper of the horse or mule that is responsible for the distance that grows. Resisting instruction is part of our nature. We need instruction on not resisting instruction. Verse 10 actually implies that resisting instruction leads to torment. Can we trust the Lord? will we? Can we trust the people we put in place to help us hear what the Lord is saying? Is it possible to instruct in a way that creates less resistant?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To trust when God is teaching me something new and not resist the lesson, but to be glad and rejoice that I'm being taught.
"Holy One, instruct us and curb us with bit and bridle if you must, just keep us near."
Breathprayer: "Be glad... and shout for joy."
Wednesday 8 March 2017
"Surround me... with Glad Cries of Deliverance"
"I pray for my community of faith. I pray that somewhere in these devotional moments captured in blog, my community will witness the glimpses of the divine that nourish and motivate me, that shape and form my way in the world. I pray that we will discover that God's presence in our lives is often small and persistent, not necessarily grand and dramatic, but always transforming. Make us humble, help us to connect with our sacred story that stretches back to the stories of ancient people, back to the first acts of creation, out to all the peoples of the nations, out to all the reaches of the cosmos and forward to a future of resurrection glory, forward to the end and purpose of all things. May we find connection, meaning, purpose, and healing."
Psalm 32:5-7
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’,
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Selah
6 Therefore let all who are faithful
offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress,* the rush of mighty waters
shall not reach them.
7 You are a hiding-place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
1) "...I acknowledged;" "...I did not hide;" "...you forgave;" "...the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them;" "...you preserve me;" "You surround me;" "...glad cries of deliverance;"
2) I find tremendous relief and peace in remember that God forgave, that God forgives. And I'm aware that this isn't just forgiveness for a little thing that I've done or not done, but for a way that I have been, and a way that I am. Because I am self centered, and arrogant. I'm overly dramatic in ways that shame me. I deceive myself in ways that harm me, and others. I could go on. I am horribly, horribly human. But I am also wonderfully, wonderfully human. I help people make meaning in their lives. I help people feel connected, needed and loved. I inspire and bring hope. All that is, good and bad, is in me. And through Christ, I have an opportunity to bring the worst and exchange it for the best... on my good days. And so I am surrounded with glad cries of deliverance.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To "confess," to continue to acknowledge and make space for the shadows that haunt and taunt me, to bring them to not hide my iniquity, but humbly bring it to Christ in prayer, and let God "surround me with glad cries of deliverance."
"Holy One, teach me humility and gladness."
Breathprayer: "Surround me... with Glad Cries of Deliverance"
Psalm 32:5-7
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’,
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Selah
6 Therefore let all who are faithful
offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress,* the rush of mighty waters
shall not reach them.
7 You are a hiding-place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
1) "...I acknowledged;" "...I did not hide;" "...you forgave;" "...the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them;" "...you preserve me;" "You surround me;" "...glad cries of deliverance;"
2) I find tremendous relief and peace in remember that God forgave, that God forgives. And I'm aware that this isn't just forgiveness for a little thing that I've done or not done, but for a way that I have been, and a way that I am. Because I am self centered, and arrogant. I'm overly dramatic in ways that shame me. I deceive myself in ways that harm me, and others. I could go on. I am horribly, horribly human. But I am also wonderfully, wonderfully human. I help people make meaning in their lives. I help people feel connected, needed and loved. I inspire and bring hope. All that is, good and bad, is in me. And through Christ, I have an opportunity to bring the worst and exchange it for the best... on my good days. And so I am surrounded with glad cries of deliverance.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To "confess," to continue to acknowledge and make space for the shadows that haunt and taunt me, to bring them to not hide my iniquity, but humbly bring it to Christ in prayer, and let God "surround me with glad cries of deliverance."
"Holy One, teach me humility and gladness."
Breathprayer: "Surround me... with Glad Cries of Deliverance"
Tuesday 7 March 2017
"...Happy."
"I pray for my community of faith, for its struggles and vulnerability. I pray for individuals who are suffering, feeling diminished, and alienated and consequently lash out and hurt those they most love. I pray for those who see only hopelessness and despair, shame and ridicule. May we experience the light in the darkness. May we be patient, kind, compassionate, gentle, empathetic, and tolerant, even when we are confronted by rage, hatred, ignorance and fear. May we know and follow the Living Christ more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
Psalm 32:1-4
1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up* as by the heat of summer.
1) "Happy are those;" "...transgression is forgiven;" "...sin is covered;" "...wasted away;" "...groaning all day long;" "...heavy upon me;" "...my strength was dried up;" "...while I kept silent;"
2) I know this place. I know the feeling of silence, wasting away, groaning all day, weight heavy upon me, my strength drying up. I know depression. I know grief. I know mental anguish. I know darkness. I know the feeling of being completely overwhelmed by life. Intimately. And not today. And so I also know that relief comes, light dawns, groaning ends. And, as hard as it is to face at the time, the turning happens only when I've been able to break my silence and name the resentment in my heart and know that its my resentment that is weighing me down, wasting my body, making me groan, and drying me up. I am so grateful for the gift of my deceit being lifted. When I'm in the darkness, I'm terrible to be around. I'm inclined to behave in ways that encourage people to leave me to that darkness, increasing the isolation. Thank God for those who stick around despite me being miserable. There have been so many over the years.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To have increased patience and empathy for people living in their resentment.
"Holy One, help me live in the happiness of transgression forgiven, sin covered, no iniquity and a spirit that is not deceived."
Breathprayer: "...happy."
Psalm 32:1-4
1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up* as by the heat of summer.
1) "Happy are those;" "...transgression is forgiven;" "...sin is covered;" "...wasted away;" "...groaning all day long;" "...heavy upon me;" "...my strength was dried up;" "...while I kept silent;"
2) I know this place. I know the feeling of silence, wasting away, groaning all day, weight heavy upon me, my strength drying up. I know depression. I know grief. I know mental anguish. I know darkness. I know the feeling of being completely overwhelmed by life. Intimately. And not today. And so I also know that relief comes, light dawns, groaning ends. And, as hard as it is to face at the time, the turning happens only when I've been able to break my silence and name the resentment in my heart and know that its my resentment that is weighing me down, wasting my body, making me groan, and drying me up. I am so grateful for the gift of my deceit being lifted. When I'm in the darkness, I'm terrible to be around. I'm inclined to behave in ways that encourage people to leave me to that darkness, increasing the isolation. Thank God for those who stick around despite me being miserable. There have been so many over the years.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To have increased patience and empathy for people living in their resentment.
"Holy One, help me live in the happiness of transgression forgiven, sin covered, no iniquity and a spirit that is not deceived."
Breathprayer: "...happy."
Monday 6 March 2017
"...Acceptable to God."
"I pray for kindness, empathy and compassion, gentleness and patience. I pray that we discern a desire to pray and know God's will for us here and now, not assuming that what we have always done is what God will always want. I pray that we abstain from anxiety, fear, anger, discouragement, arrogance, and compulsive behaviour. I pray that we may know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly."
Psalm 51:15-17
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you have no delight in sacrifice;
if I were to give a burnt-offering, you would not be pleased.
17 The sacrifice acceptable to God* is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
1) "...open my lips;" "...declare your praise;" "...contrite heart;" "...no delight in sacrifice;" "...acceptable to God;" "...a broken spirit;" "...a broken and contrite heart;" "... a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart."
2) I have mixed feelings about "a broken spirit" and "a broken and contrite heart." God doesn't want us broken, God wants us whole. But God does want the light to get in, to make an homage to Leonard Cohen. This is a call to genuine humility, not gratuitous groveling; a call away from arrogance and self-righteousness to genuine right relationship that is honest and just. God wants our hearts open and vulnerable to the pain and suffering of the world, not just our own. A broken and contrite heart is a heart that is empathetic and willing to take responsibility. I'm tempted to look up the word "contrite"..."completely penitent" [The Concise Oxford Dictionary]. Now I need to look up penitent, but I'm afraid the COD is just going to continue giving me conventional meanings.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To explore what God wants of me that constitutes a "broken and contrite heart." To trust that this "broken and contrite heart" is in fact, more "whole" and more worthy of "delight" and "praise" than how my heart may often, or even currently be. To be in the world in a way that God might delight in my offering. To remember that everything I do, say, am is my offering.
"Holy One, create in me a heart and spirit that brings you delight and praise."
Breathprayer: "...acceptable to God."
Psalm 51:15-17
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you have no delight in sacrifice;
if I were to give a burnt-offering, you would not be pleased.
17 The sacrifice acceptable to God* is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
1) "...open my lips;" "...declare your praise;" "...contrite heart;" "...no delight in sacrifice;" "...acceptable to God;" "...a broken spirit;" "...a broken and contrite heart;" "... a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart."
2) I have mixed feelings about "a broken spirit" and "a broken and contrite heart." God doesn't want us broken, God wants us whole. But God does want the light to get in, to make an homage to Leonard Cohen. This is a call to genuine humility, not gratuitous groveling; a call away from arrogance and self-righteousness to genuine right relationship that is honest and just. God wants our hearts open and vulnerable to the pain and suffering of the world, not just our own. A broken and contrite heart is a heart that is empathetic and willing to take responsibility. I'm tempted to look up the word "contrite"..."completely penitent" [The Concise Oxford Dictionary]. Now I need to look up penitent, but I'm afraid the COD is just going to continue giving me conventional meanings.
3) What is the invitation in all this? To explore what God wants of me that constitutes a "broken and contrite heart." To trust that this "broken and contrite heart" is in fact, more "whole" and more worthy of "delight" and "praise" than how my heart may often, or even currently be. To be in the world in a way that God might delight in my offering. To remember that everything I do, say, am is my offering.
"Holy One, create in me a heart and spirit that brings you delight and praise."
Breathprayer: "...acceptable to God."
Sunday 5 March 2017
"Sustain in Me... a Willing Spirit."
"I pray for the
desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my congregation. May we learn
patience, gentleness, compassion, empathy, humility, and tolerance. May
we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame.
May we come to know Christ as Christ knows us, as made in the image and
likeness of God. May we seek justice, love kindness and walk
humbly."
Psalm 51:12-14
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
1) "Restore to me the joy of your salvation;" "...a willing spirit;" "...return to you;" "...sing aloud;" "...deliverance;" "Then;"
2) Is the "then" an assertion of a conditional clause? "If" you restore to me and "if" you sustain in me, "then" I will teach? Is it a bribe? Or is it simply a set of causes... certainly if I teach and sinners return, it is only because God has restored and sustained. I like that sense better. So. In our community of faith, do I see sinners returning to God, am I genuinely teaching God's ways? Is there evidence that God has restored to us the joy of God's salvation, and sustains in us a willing spirit? Which is antecedent to the other? It seems to me that no one will want to know what I have to teach if there is no joy, who wants to listen to an unwilling teacher? Who wants to join a community that bickers and quarrels? Who wants to participate in a community that serves begrudgingly?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To focus on the generation of joy within the community, within my own heart, to focus on the generation of a willing spirit within my own heart and community.
"Holy One, make us willing and joyful."
Breathprayer: "Sustain in me... a willing spirit"
Saturday 4 March 2017
"...The Joy of Your Salvation"
"I pray for the
desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my congregation. May we learn
patience, gentleness, compassion, empathy, humility, and tolerance. May
we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame.
May we come to know Christ as Christ knows us, as made in the image and
likeness of God. May we seek justice, love kindness and walk
humbly."
Psalm 51:10-12
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right* spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing* spirit.
and put a new and right* spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing* spirit.
1) "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me;" "...the joy of your salvation;" "...sustain me;" "...a willing spirit;" "...a new and right spirit within me;" "...restore me;" "...sustain IN me;" "...a clean heart;" "...right spirit;" "...a new and right spirit;"
2) Once again these are familiar and beloved words. Words to be soaked in, more than thought about. If only we were willing to receive a "new" spirit. This is the same God from yesterday that when ask, God responds with certainty and what has been asked is accomplished. The supplication is its own response, a willingness to change is a change. Once again, there are several possibilities for breathprayers, though several of them I see as said only on the exhalation as the inhalation is silent: "...a clean hear, O God;" "...a right spirit within me;" "...restore me to joy;" "...the joy of your salvation;" "...a willing spirit."
3) What is the invitation in all this? To rest in "the joy of your salvation." To practice receiving what God is offering, what we ask for.
"Holy One, may I recognize and receive the joy of your salvation as I seek to renew my heart and serve your world."
Breatheprayer: "...the joy of your salvation."
Friday 3 March 2017
"You Desire Truth... Teach Me Wisdom."
"I pray for the
desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my congregation. May we learn
patience, gentleness, compassion, empathy, humility, and tolerance. May
we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame.
May we come to know Christ as Christ knows us, as made in the image and
likeness of God. May we seek justice, love kindness and walk
humbly."
Psalm 51:6-9
6 You desire truth in the inward being;*
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
1)"You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart;" "...let me hear joy and gladness;" "...rejoice;" "...you desire truth;" "...teach me wisdom;" "teach me wisdom in my secret heart;"
2) these words have the familiarity of "home" to them. "Whiter than snow" makes me flinch with the potential for racists interpretations, but the intent is familiar. To feel clean, really clean after having been really grimy. But the words "You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart." I really love those words, they speak deeply to me. If only we would all learn to listen to our secret heart. Joy and gladness are there. I am delighted by how many "breathprayers" I can hear in these verse. All would be appropriate to sit with in silence: "truth... in the inward being;" "wisdom... in my secret heart;" "you desire truth... teach me wisdom;" "joy... and gladness;" "Purge me... and I shall be clean;" so many options. This isn't a passage to think about, but to sit in, like a hot tub. There is certainty in these words: if God cleans, purges, teaches... then it will certainly be done and completely done.
3) What is the invitation in all this? to sit with the words, to let them soak in; to let them motivate my being, thinking and doing for the next 24 hours.
"May I experience joy, gladness, wisdom, and truth, found in my secret hear, Christ Jesus."
Breathprayer: "You desire truth... teach me wisdom."
Thursday 2 March 2017
"Steadfast Love... Abundant Mercy."
"I pray for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my congregation. May we learn patience, gentleness, compassion, empathy, humility, and tolerance. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame. May we come to know Christ as Christ knows us, as made in the image and likeness of God. May we seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly."
Psalm 51:1-5
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgement.
5 Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.
1) "...your steadfast love;" "...your abundant mercy;" "...ever before me;" "For I know my transgressions;" "...steadfast love ...abundant mercy;" "
2) I have tremendous resistance now to "wash me thoroughly" and "cleanse me from my sin." David is the one who needs to make the amends, not God. God did no wrong here except trusting David. Knowing his transgression is a start. But being overwhelmed with shame and guilt doesn't make amends. Understanding what we have done wrong is the beginning, but right relationship needs so much more. I blanch at the melodrama. As if over reacting absolves us. Not that I haven't been there. I can remember sitting across from my spiritual director naming traits I see in my self and feeling profound shame for them and he asked, "More shame than any mortal can bear?" Of course not. Even shame and guilt should be born with humility. Real healing only happens when all parties (including me) experience steadfast love and abundant mercy.
3) What is the invitation in all this? to check my own tendency to melodrama... especially my melodrama over being melodramatic, with gentleness and humility.
"Holy One, keep me mindful of gentleness and humility, even when chastising myself for my transgressions. And keep me mindful of gentleness and humility when chastising others for their transgressions. I'm not very good at either."
Breathprayer: "steadfast love... abundant mercy."
Wednesday 1 March 2017
"Return to Me... with All Your Heart"
"I pray for the desire to pray and meditate on behalf of my congregation. May we learn patience, gentleness, compassion, empathy, humility, and tolerance. May we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame. May we come to know Christ as Christ knows us, as made in the image and likeness of God. May we seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly."
Joel 2:12-16
12 Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13 rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain-offering and a drink-offering
for the Lord, your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sanctify a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
16 gather the people.
Sanctify the congregation;
assemble the aged;
gather the children,
even infants at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her canopy.
1) "...with all your heart;" "...rend your hearts and not your clothing;" "...gracious and merciful;" "...abounding in steadfast love;" "...relents;" "Blow... sanctify... call... gather... sanctify... assemble... gather..." "...sanctify a fast;" "...the people... the congregation... the aged... the children... infants at the breast... the bridegroom... the bride;"
2) A part of me wants to roll my eyes at the pageantry of "fasting, weeping and mourning," "rending our hearts." But the message is contrition, to genuinely seek reconciliation, to genuinely own our complicit-ness in the systems of wrong doing in the world and to change our allegiance. "With all your heart." I read scripture, not as a window into the past, but as a mirror into our own hearts. Any evil, violence, oppression and injustice we witness in scripture is the capacity for evil, violence, oppression and injustice that resides in our own hearts. It is not enough to rile against the evil they are doing over there. I have no control over the condition of someone else's heart, only my own. And so I am called to model reconciling my own heart with God. How effective are fasting, weeping and mourning? What is their effect?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To return to God. To humbly return to the virtues again and again after I have failed to model them, after others have failed to model them for me.
"Holy One, may we find the joy in humbly returning to you again and again, seeking reconciliation."
Breathprayer: "Return to me... with all your heart."
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13 rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain-offering and a drink-offering
for the Lord, your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sanctify a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
16 gather the people.
Sanctify the congregation;
assemble the aged;
gather the children,
even infants at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her canopy.
1) "...with all your heart;" "...rend your hearts and not your clothing;" "...gracious and merciful;" "...abounding in steadfast love;" "...relents;" "Blow... sanctify... call... gather... sanctify... assemble... gather..." "...sanctify a fast;" "...the people... the congregation... the aged... the children... infants at the breast... the bridegroom... the bride;"
2) A part of me wants to roll my eyes at the pageantry of "fasting, weeping and mourning," "rending our hearts." But the message is contrition, to genuinely seek reconciliation, to genuinely own our complicit-ness in the systems of wrong doing in the world and to change our allegiance. "With all your heart." I read scripture, not as a window into the past, but as a mirror into our own hearts. Any evil, violence, oppression and injustice we witness in scripture is the capacity for evil, violence, oppression and injustice that resides in our own hearts. It is not enough to rile against the evil they are doing over there. I have no control over the condition of someone else's heart, only my own. And so I am called to model reconciling my own heart with God. How effective are fasting, weeping and mourning? What is their effect?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To return to God. To humbly return to the virtues again and again after I have failed to model them, after others have failed to model them for me.
"Holy One, may we find the joy in humbly returning to you again and again, seeking reconciliation."
Breathprayer: "Return to me... with all your heart."
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