Communion

Serve Love…

I remember as a young student feeling fascinated as I learned all about the human heart, its functions and their importance. I was most amazed by the strength of the heart and its capacity, pumping 2,000 gallons of blood each day throughout the body. It wouldn’t be until years later that my amazement would become even greater in coming to understand the heart’s greatest asset—the rhythm, steady and strong, seeking to draw one closer, revealing God, and yearning not only to keep the connection of love, peace, and healing going, but also to help it to thrive without bounds. As the 13th century Persian poet, Rumi, wrote, “Love is the bridge between you and everything.”

In chapter 7 of the Gospel according to Mark, Jesus says to the Pharisees,

“Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:

    This people honors me with their lips,

        but their hearts are far from me;

    in vain do they worship me,

        teaching as doctrines human precepts.

You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” (Mk 7:6-8)

Jesus is calling on them to be honest… to look more closely and to see that their hearts are not leading them in union with God. Their love has become misplaced. It is self-serving and focused on what is earthly rather than what is truly, right and just. Their words and actions do not come together to reflect the beauty of God’s goodness—the law that is placed in every heart—dignity, care, and love of all who are placed alongside us whether in location, heart, or mind.  

This same love is what the author of the Letter of James is calling people to when he writes,

“Know this, my dear brothers: everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath,

for the wrath of a man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.

Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.” – Jas 1:19-22

No matter where one might be, or the circumstances that exist, Love is the only true hope there is. And while there may be many things that seem beyond reach, or out of control, Love is the anchor that holds us altogether, moves us into action, and brings peace, or peace of mind, strength, truth and justice, never growing cold.

Shelter in the storm, and out…

Inside seeking shelter on a very stormy day, I hear the wind howling… beckoning, come and see.

Looking out the window, great and mighty power, the surge before my eyes.

The wind, it whips and stirs. The waves, they’re in a frenzy, crashing down on all, in the way or not.

Rain, it’s driven sideways. I wonder if it minds.

Then, the birds. Something else. Just being birds, but more. Unphased by all the bother. Flying high, swooping low, drifting, diving, floating, gliding, in the winds that blow.

Beauty in the chaos. Stillness in the storm.

Trusting, not resisting.

All, it will be well.

Listening, not withdrawing, but drawing from within.

Knowing, sensing, feeling, it is—the One who is.

All, it is well.

Connected, Again and Again…

Upon entering the room, the display of rainbow-like bursts on one of the walls, captured my attention. Looking back now though, I see more clearly. Connections all around. The shadow once shed, takes on a new face. Taking up and letting go. To shed and re-shed from beginning to end. Tied together throughout by the image of God, and all eternally beloved. It’s in the air. Life and breath, width and depth. With God, it’s Universal.

The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. – Mark 15:38

Taken Altogether…

Stepping out and looking up, the night time sky awakens me. Alongside the darkness, the clouds, visible above and behind the tree tops, create a contrast that draws me in. Between them and the sky that is speckled with the light of stars from far away, the scene is even more compelling. There are so many dimensions, and on this night, as opposed to one where the clouds leave no room for the stars, all seem to bring something to the picture in a way that works together and makes it whole.

So much of what’s good and honorable in the world, is not unlike this scene. That is, the parts not only brought together, but also taking care to make room at the table, and in our hearts, for each other. Coming back to the night time sky on this evening, taking in its different parts once more, I imagine each of them embodying, “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will” (Psalm 40). For although we are different, we are very much the same. And, our well-being and the picture that we make is collective—always tied together.

As Martin Luther King, Jr. Day approaches, thank you Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for standing up and speaking out, for your words and the actions that flowed with them, and most of all, for the spirit with which you shared them with the world.

“In a real sense all life is inter-related. All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be… This is the inter-related structure of reality.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Hope is a prayer…

In saying goodbye to 2020, it can be all too easy to envision the year packed away, stuffed in a trunk or case with the words “CAUTION! DO NOT OPEN!” stamped in bold, red print across the top and sides. Yet, like all the years before it, 2020, along with any wisdom it contained, is added to the steps along the way. Now, and always, it is part of who we are and who we will become.   

Entering into the year 2021, the journey continues. Like years gone by, it is step by step into all that is known and, at the same time, into all that is unknown. This New Year begins with a solemn tone. There is sadness over the depth of loss, vast… across many areas, and experienced by so many around the world. There is gratitude for blessings… Love expressed by thoughtful, caring words and actions of so many hearts around the world. Then, there is hope, summoning its all, rising up from the memories it strings together, and bringing unity as it strengthens and fortifies the soul for all that lies ahead.  

May this New Year be anchored, like no other, in the hope that is God,
and may each and every soul join together and live as they truly are… beloved.

We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage. – Mt 2:2

Give Us This Day…

In a couple of days, it will be the shortest day of the year for some people and the longest day of the year for others. On December 21st, in the Northern Hemisphere it will be the Winter Solstice and daylight hours will be fewer than any other day in the year, and at the same time, in the Southern Hemisphere, it will be the Summer Solstice and daylight hours will be greater than any other day in the year. Other than in a geography class, long and far ago, I cannot say that I have ever really thought much about that prior to today. Yet, as I do, I think about how remarkable it is that no matter where one stands, and no matter how experiences may vary, far and wide, the promise is forever, and the parts, although they matter… they are never greater than the Whole.

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her. – Luke 1:26-38

Solemn Times…

Today is November 21, 2020. It is the 326th day of the year and by day’s end we will be 88.8% of the way toward 2021. For now though, we’re stuck, so to speak, in a leap year. And boy, what a leap it has been!

Looking at the happenings around the world, it seems as if gravity has lost its grip. Collisions are abound! And often with it, sensibility and all that used to be reliable in at least some way, has all but disappeared. These days, unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is raging, but also unfortunately, it is not the only thing raging.

At a time when it can be easy to become bogged down by all that seems wrong in the world, where I live, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving this coming Thursday. However, prior to that, tomorrow is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

How different the world could be, if He were all the rage!  

Imagine, words and actions that go beyond the current “rule” of one. Imagine, words and actions that are all about the One, and only One—God.

Thankfully, we literally have the best example ever. So in these strange days that seem to keep getting stranger, look to the Word that is timeless. Look and see the Good Shepherd, the One who not only makes claims, but also backs them up, and simply shows us, one and all, the Way.   

When we focus on doing the good we can do, the world, no matter how chaotic it may seem, becomes a better, brighter place, one person at a time.

Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left,
‘Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?’
He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.’
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life.” – Matthew 25:31-46    

The Hardest Part…

Feeling hopeful, I am lifted up by the soothing breeze, and welcomed by the warmth of the sun. I am drawn to the light stretching out from it, as if reaching out to everyone and all around the globe. Still, I wait, as many do. So much of life these days seems to be more about waiting, and then waiting even more. I can’t help but think, this much waiting is such a tall order, compared to the short and quick of yesteryear.

Yet, day in and day out, I wait. We all wait. Maybe we’ve been waiting all along. Maybe we wait because we’ve gotten it all wrong.

Then there’s also the companion of waiting. As each moment in waiting silently builds upon the next, some grow closer together and others drift further apart. Yet, despite the weight of waiting, and the rush against the quiet, when willing, the Light above connects us to the Breath that’s deep within.

One with one another. Created in God’s image. One with one and all. The cry of God is deafening, when will we heed the call?

“Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.” – John 15:4

Act Naturally…

John Muir shared the thought that in every walk with nature, one receives far more than one seeks. Pausing to look at some of the changing leaves and noticing the contrast between them and those already on the ground, I came across another scene. A chipmunk, also pausing, long enough to possibly be considered a companion in an otherwise seemingly empty stretch of woods. A brief, but amusing and uplifting experience, perhaps captured best, for both creatures on this day, in the words of another naturalist, Henry David Thoreau, who wrote, “I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.”   

Reading chapter 22 in the Gospel according to Matthew, the section that contains verses 15-22 starts with, “Then the Pharisees went off and plotted…” The words and the image they conjure, are such a stark contrast to that of my experience in nature, earlier in the day. What a difference a spirit of inclusion, acceptance, respect, and mutual existence might have made back then. What a difference it might make now.

Nature is all around us, and we are part of it. Yet, all this time gone by, still, we fight it. All these years later, still, we resist joining together. Perhaps, one by one, we might learn to be companions to each other, and the plotting will end. Then, maybe… we might see, how foolish we have been.

If we surrendered to earth’s intelligence, we could rise up rooted like trees.
– Rainer Maria Rilke

The Pharisees went off
and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.
They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying,
“Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion,
for you do not regard a person’s status.
Tell us, then, what is your opinion:
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”
Knowing their malice, Jesus said,
“Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?
Show me the coin that pays the census tax.”
Then they handed him the Roman coin.
He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?”
They replied, “Caesar’s.”
At that he said to them,
“Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God.” – Matthew 22:15-22

Musical inspiration: The King of Love My Shepherd Is

In the Palm of Our Hands…

Yesterday morning, I was thinking about how up until a few weeks ago, it had been quite some time since I found myself in a position where it was mostly better and necessary for me to stay home than to go out. I found myself remembering days when my children were not in school yet, or days when they were unexpectedly home from school. There was one day in particular that came to mind. I remember it so vividly.

It was a sunny, slightly breezy spring day. I was noticing the color of the sky and feeling the warmth of the sun and the gentle blowing of the wind on my face as I walked along the walkway toward the parking lot where my car was parked. I had just come around the side of a building, and as I did, I saw a familiar face. We exchanged a smile and greeting, and then had a brief conversation.

In the course of sharing how nice it was to start the day, quietly, being where we were, I mentioned feeling frustrated that sometimes, due to the unforeseen and unexpected, I could not be there. Then, I’ll never forget the way, Joe, the older gentleman I was speaking with responded. His words were so comforting and enlightening as he shared the belief that in the sacrifice of Communion to answer the call of motherhood, or any call in the service of others, was in fact, also the reception of Communion. Since that bright and sunny day, not being able to go somewhere I wanted to go or do something I wanted to do has been less frustrating. Now, as I think about my late friend’s words, it is so much easier to open my hands, and let go.

All we ever really hold in the palm of our hands, is our will. And that, is always best when we turn it over to God. Only then, are we truly free. Only then, do we arise.

Jesus advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” – Matthew 26:39

InThePalm

Little Things With Great Love

In the garden of our Savior, no flower grows unseen;
His kindness rains like water on every humble seed.
No simple act of mercy escapes His watchful eye —
for there is One who loves me: His hand is over mine.

In the kingdom of the heavens, no suff’ring is unknown;
each tear that falls is holy, each breaking heart a throne.
There is a song of beauty on ev’ry weeping eye —
for there is One who loves me: His heart, it breaks with mine.

Oh, the deeds forgotten; oh, the works unseen,
every drink of water flowing graciously,
every tender mercy, You’re making glorious.
This You have asked us: do little things with great love,
little things with great love.

At the table of our Savior, no mouth will go unfed;
His children in the shadows stream in and raise their heads.
Oh give us ears to hear them and give us eyes that see —
for there is One who loves them: I am His hands and feet.

By Audrey Assad, Isaac Wardell, and Madison Cunningham
© 2017 Porter’s Gate Publishing (BMI) and Hymns From the Porter’s Gate (ASCAP). All rights reserved and administered by Fair Trade Music Publishing c/o essentialmusicpublishing.com.