“The poverty of our century is unlike that of an other. It is not, as it was before, the result of natural scarcity, but of a set of priorities imposed upon the rest of the world by the rich. Consequently, the modern poor are not pitied, but written off as trash.”—John Berger
Verse of the day
And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
– Psalm 39:7
Voice of the day
Hope is a song in a weary throat.
– Pauli Murray, Dark Testament (1970)
Prayer of the day
Though the world leaves me weary, I will wait for you to renew me, Lord.
“Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery and apartheid it is man-made and can be removed by the actions of human beings.”—Nelson Mandela
Verse of the day
But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
– Amos 5:24
Voice of the day
You are moving in the direction of freedom and the function of freedom is to free somebody else.
– Toni Morrison
Prayer of the day
Lord, make us like an ever-flowing stream, rolling in the direction of freedom.
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
Do not be silent; there is no limit to the power that may be released through you.
– Howard Thurman, Deep Is the Hunger(1951)
Prayer of the day
May your spirit move through my words, Lord.
Tonight we are sitting on the “balcony” at the hotel where we are staying in Austin, Minnesota. We are reading and sharing our thoughts about the readings for the Interim/Transitional ministry class we will be attending in just over a week. We also spent some time this afternoon with my dad at my mom’s grave which is in such a beautiful spot in the cemetery. Merton’s words from his August 25, 1965 journal entry spoke to my heart.
The five days I have had in real solitude have been a revelation, and whatever questions I may have had about it have been answered. Over and over again I see that this life is what I have always hoped it would be and always sought. A life of peace, silence, purpose, meaning. It is not always easy, but calls for a blessed and salutary effort—and a little goes a long way. Everything about it is rewarding. — A Year with Thomas Merton: Daily Meditations from His Journals (August 16)
A life of peace, silence, purpose, meaning… from our lips to God’s ear my brother 💜
Verse of the day
You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
– Deuteronomy 10:19
Voice of the day
No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.
– Warsan Shire, “Home”
Prayer of the day
Remind us that the whole earth is your creation, Lord. Show us how to seek radical hospitality.
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
