Frederick Buechner (July 11, 1926 – August 15, 2022) was an early inspiration and mentor to me in the early 80’s and continued to touch my heart through the years. A pastor, novelist, theologian, and genuinely funny writer, I am thankful for his mentoring. Thank you for all that you have meant to so many throughout your life.
From his book, Now and Then: A Memoir of Vocation Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace
Verse of the day
One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, for there are many in this city who are my people.”
– Acts 18:9-10
Voice of the day
What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?
– Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give (2017)
Prayer of the day
Give me courage to speak words of truth with the voice that you have given me.
Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, a Conventual Franciscan, is best known for volunteering to take the place of a condemned prisoner in a death camp. But he also worked tirelessly for the spiritual welfare of people through his deep devotion to the Blessed Mother.
— Read on www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-maximilian-mary-kolbe
When we have found our own uniqueness in the love of God and have been able to affirm that indeed we are lovable since it is God’s love that dwells in us, then we can reach out to others in whom we discover a new and unique manifestation of the same love and enter into an intimate communion with them.
We were able to enjoy some beach time yesterday after a full day of work which included sermon preparation, studying for the Interim/Transitional ministry course we will be attending in a week, and preparation for the retreat we will be leading in May for Columbia Presbyterian Theological Seminary’s Lifelong Learning program. The lovely time in God’s creation was a blessing. I love today’s reading from A Year with Thomas Merton: Daily Meditations from His Journals. (Aug 14)
Cool. Cows lowing in the mist. Long but rich night office. “Mary has chosen the better part.” My love for the great responsories….
The Lespedeza hedge we planted ten or fifteen years ago was blooming with delicate, heather-like purple blossoms, and bees were busy in them. An entirely beautiful, transfigured moment of love for God and the need for complete confidence in Him in everything, without reserve, even when almost nothing is understood. August 15 and 16, 1963. Turning Toward the World: The Pivotal Years (The Journals of Thomas Merton, Volume 4: 1960-1963)
When we claim and constantly reclaim the truth of being the chosen ones, we soon discover within ourselves a deep desire to reveal to others their own chosenness. Instead of making us feel that we are better, more precious or valuable than others, our awareness of being chosen opens our eyes to the chosenness of others. That is the great joy of being chosen: the discovery that others are chosen as well. In the house of God there are many mansions. There is a place for everyone—a unique, special place. Once we deeply trust that we ourselves are precious in God’s eyes, we are able to recognize the preciousness of others and their unique place in God’s heart.
MYSTICISM IS WHERE RELIGIONS START. Moses with his flocks in Midian, Buddha under the Bo tree, Jesus up to his knees in the waters of Jordan—each of them is responding to Something of which words like Shalom, Nirvana, God even, are only pallid souvenirs. Religion as ethics, institution, dogma, ritual, Scripture, social action—all of this comes later and in the long run maybe counts for less. Religions start, as Frost said poems do, with a lump in the throat—to put it mildly—or with a bush going up in flames, a rain of flowers, a dove coming down out of the sky. “I have seen things,” Aquinas told a friend, “that make all my writings seem like straw.
“Most people have also seen such things. Through some moment of beauty or pain, some sudden turning of their lives, most of them have caught glimmers at least of what the saints are blinded by. Only then, unlike the saints, they tend to go on as though nothing has happened.
We are all more mystics than we choose to let on, even to ourselves. Life is complicated enough as it is.
-Originally published in Wishful Thinking and later in Beyond Words
“A contemplative walk is one without a particular destination in mind, only an invitation to connect to your heart, breathe deeply, and listen to how things are unfolding before you.”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Sacred Seasons: A Yearlong Journey through the Celtic Wheel of the Year – A Self-Study Online Retreat
What is shimmering in the world around you, beckoning you to pay closer attention?
A powerful reflection from my friend, Jake!
How to navigate this messy world The post When Life Gets Murky appeared first on Jake Owensby.
When Life Gets Murky
Verse of the day
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
– Psalm 46:1-3
Voice of the day
We can reject Christian nationalism and move toward Christianity with intentional actions, admitting where we’ve missed the mark and working to do better.
– Amanda Tyler, “The Distorted Gospel of the Charlottesville Rally Keeps Spreading”
Prayer of the day
Be our refuge in these troubling times, Lord. Help us to reject distorted messages and work toward healing.
Pastor Michael Moore's Blog 