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…
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
It has been a long yet productive day
Cars ready for travel
Preparations for moving continue
Yet there are also plans to be made
Plans for the celebration of life, love, and friendship
As we prepare for sleep
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
A day of meetings and ministry
A time of planning and preparation for our move
A time for fellowship with 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…
During these times of struggle… when science is ignored and selfishness reigns supreme it is hard to see the light. When the flames of hatred and fear are stoked and the flame of love is doused, we live in darkness. Yet as John’s Gospel tells us: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Various translations of this passage say that the darkness has not understood it, comprehend it, extinguish it, or put it out. Light… there is a proverb that says it is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness. Another says it is better to light a single candle than to stumble in the dark. The band Chicago sang this song which has always touched my heart: One Little Candle by Chicago
When I struggle during times of darkness, I need the reminder to walk towards the light. Even if the steps are small and difficult, we are called to walk towards the light of Christ. The Spirit gently guides us on that journey.
Thomas Merton said the following in his book, The Silent Life: The deepest need of our darkness is to comprehend the light which shines in the midst of it. (p. ix)
As we walk this journey together through the pandemic, divisiveness, and hatred; may we be guided by the Spirit and may we comprehend the light shining in the midst of that darkness. That is my hope, dear reader, that is my fervent prayer.
Two mentors of mine are Howard Thurman and Thomas Merton. Their reflections on life and peace speak to my heart and soul. I “met” Thurman during my time at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in the mid 80’s. I “met” Merton decades later during a lifelong learning course at Columbia Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
I have often wondered what a conversation with these two mystics and prophets would have been like. They never met but many believe that Merton was aware of Thurman’s writings in the 1960’s. They were contemplatives called to action by the Spirit. They also informed so many in the Civil Rights and Peace Movement.
I believe that we can learn so much from both of them. William Apel wrote the following about them in an article (Mystic as Prophet: The Deep Freedom of Thomas Merton and Howard Thurman) he wrote for “The Merton Annual” in 2003.
Perhaps the rarest of all human beings is the mystic as prophet. There are few who have successfully combined a life of contemplation with a prophetic call to social justice. Howard Thurman (1900-81) and Thomas Merton (1915-68) are two such individuals. As beacons of light in a world clouded by violence, war and racial bigotry, this African-American minister, and this Trappist monk, have illumined the way for many.
These two spiritual masters served both as mystics and prophets in their time and place. (p. 172)
For too many the call of the contemplative life is a call to escape from the world. Merton tried to run from the world but the Spirit was persistent in calling him to be a prophet as well as a contemplative. They both continue to teach me a lot about the balance between contemplation and action.
