These words of Cohen’s are prophetic as we face these times of rampant materialism, greed, and self-centeredness. May the lights in the land of Plenty indeed shine on the truth someday.
For the millions in a prison
That wealth has set apart—
For the Christ who has not risen,
From the caverns of the heart
For the innermost decision
That we cannot but obey
For what’s left of our religion,
I lift my voice and pray;
May the lights in the land of Plenty
Shine on the truth someday.
—Leonard Cohen
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
What a wonderful day with dear friends
A time to share stories and experiences
A time to say “see ya later” instead of good-bye
For the many blessings we have experienced these past five years we thank you, Lord
Now as my eyelids grow heavy
I lift this humble prayer to you
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
As the church struggles to re-invent itself in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, there are many challenges and reckonings to face. In a day and age where life is all about the me-first and individual salvation experience, we need to go back to our roots. Those roots are found in worship in homes and the catacombs in the age before the church got into bed with the Empire. The church in Acts cared less about the individual experience and more about holding all things in common and caring for each member of the community as equals.
Thomas Merton had a great deal to say about the communal nature of our faith and the imperative to speak and breathe words of peace in a world Hell-bent on selfish destruction. In the preface to the Japanese translation of his autobiography The Seven Story Mountain he said the following:
By my monastic life and vows I am saying No to all the concentration camps, the aerial bombardments, the staged political trials, the judicial murders, the racial injustices, the economic tyrannies, and the whole socio-economic apparatus which seems geared for nothing but global destruction in spite of all its fair words in favor of peace. I make monastic silence a protest against the lies of politicians, propagandists, and agitators, and when I speak it is to deny that my faith and my church can ever be aligned with these forces of injustice and destruction. (p. 15)
Presently far too many in the church have forgotten the call of the prophet to Do Justice, Love Kindness, and Walk Humbly with God. Merton and Ignatius are calling out to the church today to be the voice of the voiceless.
If our church is not marked by caring for the poor, the oppressed, the hungry, we are guilty of heresy. — Saint Ignatius of Loyola
May our lives, dear reader, speak against the selfishness and greed of the Empire. May we indeed, heed the words of the late Congressman John Lewis: Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
Today has been a full day of Ora et Labora
Work and prayer as we continue the transition
Your Spirit has guided us every step of the way
Thank you for your light which shines, even in the darkness
Now as my eyelids grow heavy
I lift this humble prayer to you
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
The in between times can be a challenge
Working, studying, packing, moving
How can I Be Still
Yet in the midst of it all
The Spirit speaks to my heart
She says she has got this
Walking with you both through the challenges
Be Still and you will find rest for your soul
Be Still
Now as my eyelids grow heavy
I lift this humble prayer to you
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
The 22nd of July is Mary Magdalene’s day, and, returning to my sequence of sonnets written in response to the church year, I post this for her.
— Read on malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2020/07/22/mary-magdalene-a-sonnet-8/
A wonderful reflection from Jake Owensby from his book, A Resurrection Shaped Life.
Everybody you meet is a mix of the dazzling and the dismal. And these are just the people you’re given to love. Including the one looking back at you in the mirror….
— Read on jakeowensby.com/2020/07/21/loving-imperfect-people/
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
Thank you, Lord for a time of fellowship
Thank you, Lord for your Spirit’s constant presence
Keep guiding us and sustaining us
As we prepare for our move
As my sweetheart works such long hours
As we prepare worship for August
As I try to keep up with seminary class work
In the midst of it all
I lift this humble prayer to you
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
It was a wonderful day with family, Lord
It was a beautiful day to be with each other outdoors
Your creation is so amazing
Worship tonight was indeed a blessing
Now as my eyelids grow heavy
I lift this humble prayer to you
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
Today was a special time with family
We took a lovely trip up Old Fall River Road
A time to simply be still
A time to think of dear friends
Now as my eyelids grow heavy
I lift this humble prayer to you
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
