Amen, Mark Sandlin, Amen!!
“We are essentially exploring what it means to be a ‘new monk’ – one who lives beyond the monastery walls but brings the gifts and graces of monastic tradition to everyday life. We are also discovering what it is to be a ‘new artist’ – one who seeks to satisfy a deep longing of the soul by making space for the delight and passion of creativity. These two paths meet in several places.”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD The Artist’s Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom
In what ways do your ‘inner monk’ and ‘inner artist’ interact with each other and in the world?
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
My heart is truly full tonight, Lord
Reconnecting with dear friends
Even though it has been years
Thank you for love and laughter
Thank you for shared joy and even sorrow
Thank you for walking with us through the Valleys
Thank you for your love which heals and gives hope
Thank you, Lord, for the joy of reunion
Thank you, Lord, for love
And together we lift this nightly prayer
For our families and for this world
Dona Nobis Pacem et in Terra
Grant Us Peace on Earth
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
The longest day of the year has ended
The sun has set on this Solstice
A full day of visits and prayers and fellowship
Even thought it is a whirlwind of activity and emotion
Your constant presence has blessed, Lord
Thank you for your sustaining Spirit
Thank you for reminders of your Grace
Thank you, Lord, for your Peace
For all of your children, I lift this prayer
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
2 Cor 9: 6-11
“The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.
“As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Giving and Receiving
In today’s first reading we are told to be generous, basically “we get what we give.” In Pope Francis’s Joy of the Gospel he makes a comment that we are not to live and act as “sour-pusses,” but to be confident that God’s grace is with us for any task at hand.
We only get out of life what we are willing to put into it. Children are often more entertained with the container/box than the item inside. I volunteer in a women’s shelter, where each family lives in one room. I leave each week amazed at how lovingly the kids and moms interact with one another. What little they have is willingly and lovingly shared. To me each week the lesson learned about, “what we sow we reap,” is seen as the many women who once lived in this shelter come back to volunteer and support our projects. The stranger we are afraid to meet can often bring us the most love.
—Camille Devaney serves as Board chair for the Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP).
Prayer
Much is expected from those to whom much has been given.—Luke 12:49
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
A long day of travel
A wonderful evening with family
A time to explore and to contemplate
In the midst of it all, a pause for prayer
For those who are mourning
May they find comfort, Lord
For those who are ill
May they find healing, Lord
For those who are lonely and afraid
May they feel your comforting presence, Lord
For those who feel hopeless
May they be embraced in your love, Lord
For all of your children, Lord, we lift this prayer
Dona Nobis Pacem et in Terra
Grant Us Peace on Earth
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
verse of the dayWho is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. – James 3:13
voice of the day
My soul has grown over the years, and some of my views have changed. As long as I am alive, I will continue to try to understand more, because the work of the heart is never done. – Muhammad Ali
prayer of the day
God, make us bold enough to question tyranny, impassioned enough to submit ourselves to good teachers, and discerning enough to know when it is our turn to lead. – Common Prayer
