Now, my God, please, let your eyes be open, and let your ears pay attention to the prayer being made in this place. 2 Chronicles 6:40 CJB
'The Weakest in the Center
The most honored parts of the body are not the head or the hands, which lead and control. The most important parts are the least presentable parts. That's the mystery of the Church. As a people called out of oppression to freedom, we must recognize that it is the weakest among us - the elderly, the small children, the handicapped, the mentally ill, the hungry and sick - who form the real center. Paul says, "It is the parts of the body which we consider least dignified, that we surround with the greatest dignity" (1 Corinthians 12:23).
The Church as the people of God can truly embody of the living Christ among us only when the poor remain its most treasured part. Care for the poor, therefore, is much more than Christian charity. It is the essence of being the body of Christ.'
Henri Nouwen Daily Meditation October 30
Grace and shalom be yours in full measure
1 Peter 1:2b CJB
It is not about explanations today, but about soaking in the Truth and letting that become the breath of worship today.
Etchings - tentative outlines from which to move as one learns to be more contemplative, to move into this pilgrimage of life and embrace the Mystery that asks us to live with unknowns and surprises.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Seaons, Changes
With the changes of natures' own seasons the human body seems to have adjustments that go along with spring, summer, autumn and winter: cyclical changes in our body, mind and soul.
The "season" of writing seems slow for me. Almost a time to hibernate, my soul wants to nest in at home in my little sanctuary, I read much, hold it within, and let it wait within. It is a time of quiet, of gathering articles for a project, of letting my soul, mind, body and heart accept the invitation to be in this space and know the sacredness of it. Within the solitude is also the intentional working out of community where I am and learning to live out this through the ups and downs.
Snuggling in, hibernation - also a time of intimacy, which for me at present is a pursuit of obedience and holiness. What does it feel like, look like, smell like....how to my senses become more deeply attuned to this invitation from the Divine? How can I absorb Jesus so I can live this out? Embracing holiness and obedience and knowing that the pain is part of how the Spirit infuses it into my soul causes me to sit with heart, eyes, ears and hands open and watching.
In this time of absorbing I read an interesting article in Turn My Mourning Into Dancing" by Henri Nouwen.
"As you enter into intimate communion with God, you enter into intimate communion with the people of God. Prayer is communion with God in the privacy of our own places. It is also communion with the people of God around the world and through the centuries. Such love overcomes the fear that separates us. Such love allows us to let go of our little fears.
This may seem difficult, but such love, as it works in us, ultimately offers us a way out of self-righteousness and oppression. It rescues us from the illusion that makes the rich think they know what is best for the poor, men think they know what is best for women, or whites think they know what is best for blacks. It saves us from the illusion of power that leads us to Auschwitz, Hiroshima, or Jonestown."
The "season" of writing seems slow for me. Almost a time to hibernate, my soul wants to nest in at home in my little sanctuary, I read much, hold it within, and let it wait within. It is a time of quiet, of gathering articles for a project, of letting my soul, mind, body and heart accept the invitation to be in this space and know the sacredness of it. Within the solitude is also the intentional working out of community where I am and learning to live out this through the ups and downs.
Snuggling in, hibernation - also a time of intimacy, which for me at present is a pursuit of obedience and holiness. What does it feel like, look like, smell like....how to my senses become more deeply attuned to this invitation from the Divine? How can I absorb Jesus so I can live this out? Embracing holiness and obedience and knowing that the pain is part of how the Spirit infuses it into my soul causes me to sit with heart, eyes, ears and hands open and watching.
In this time of absorbing I read an interesting article in Turn My Mourning Into Dancing" by Henri Nouwen.
"As you enter into intimate communion with God, you enter into intimate communion with the people of God. Prayer is communion with God in the privacy of our own places. It is also communion with the people of God around the world and through the centuries. Such love overcomes the fear that separates us. Such love allows us to let go of our little fears.
This may seem difficult, but such love, as it works in us, ultimately offers us a way out of self-righteousness and oppression. It rescues us from the illusion that makes the rich think they know what is best for the poor, men think they know what is best for women, or whites think they know what is best for blacks. It saves us from the illusion of power that leads us to Auschwitz, Hiroshima, or Jonestown."
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