The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
A long but productive Lord’s day
Worship, reflection, writing, and more worship
A time as well for studying
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 sower and the seed is a very familiar parable. What sort of seeds are we called to spread? So often today I see the seeds of hatred, fear, and divisiveness being sowed by so many. I believe that Jesus is calling us to sow the seeds of welcome, love, justice, mercy, and peace in a world that is in dire need of such hope.
In his book, New Seeds of Contemplation, Thomas Merton wrote about seed planting and the contemplative life. Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul. For just as the wind carries thousands of winged seeds, so each moment brings with it germs of spiritual vitality that comes to rest imperceptibly in the minds and wills of men. Most of these unnumbered seeds perish and are lost, because men are not prepared to receive them: for such seeds as these cannot spring up anywhere except in the good soil of freedom, spontaneity, and love… every expression of the will of God is in some sense a “word” of God and therefore a “seed” of new life. (p. 14)
Every moment and every event plants seeds in your soul. Such seeds cannot grow anywhere except for the good soil of love. That is something which seems to be noticeably lacking today. Even the good soil of freedom which Merton mentioned has been polluted. Freedom has been weaponized by so many. If you look at racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia, they are all based on a warped principle that someone has to be out of the circle. When I look at christian nationalism (lower case is intentional) all I see is a perversion of the message of Jesus. It is all about keeping power at the expense of another person. The very ones whom Jesus calls us to serve are the ones being despised by the nationalists. Heck, with his brown skin Jesus would be kicked out of their church.
I believe that we are at a crossroads as a society. If we continue down the road we are currently on, the ending will be death and despair. Joshua asked the people of the Exodus to make a choice. Will they serve the gods of their neighbors or the Egyptians? Or will they serve the Lord. Choose this day whom you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. We are being asked much the same question today. We are being called to choose between narcissism and love for your neighbor. In the verse immediately preceding 1 Corinthians 13, Paul said the following to the church at Corinth: But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:31)
Again, we must learn how to love selflessly. Merton reminds us that we must learn to realize that the love of God seeks us in every situation, and seeks our good. His inscrutable love seeks our awakening. (p. 15) It is long past time for us to wake up to that love and choose the more excellent way. Then we can walk as God’s children in the way the prophet Isaiah proclaimed. For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12)
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
It has been a wonderful day and evening, Lord
Time with family and very dear friends
As we contemplate this time of chaos and fear
As we seek the Spirit’s guidance
As we ask Her to lead us through the wilderness
We know that She will be steadfast and true
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 has been a day of work and preparation
It has also been a wonderful time with our adopted daughter
Spending time together rambling and enjoying each other
The song which kept going through my heart
It was a reminder of the sacred presence and promise
Jesus, remember me
When you come into your kingdom
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…
A few weeks ago after my Dad had watched the news in his assisted living apartment he told one of the women working in the office all we need is love in this world. I wonder if he was thinking of the Beatle’s song, “All You Need Is Love” when he said that. He shared the story with us later that afternoon. Dad does watch the television news regularly and we often get calls from him afterwards. He shares his frustration and sorrow over the state of the world. Believe me Dad, we can certainly relate to your thoughts and feelings.
When we visited San Francisco and the University of San Francisco back in late February Dad was eager to hear all about the city of his birth and the University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He loved that city and school, well actually he still loves it and remembers it fondly. His memories may not always be accurate, but the love he has for his birthplace certainly is. As we continue to journey together through the pandemic and talk on the phone, it shows me how important these conversations are to Dad and to Denise and to me. Perhaps it is a reflection of the love of God being expressed in our midst.
All you need is love… Lennon and McCartney were onto something with that song. It was written and released in 1967. The Vietnam War was intensifying, the nuclear arms race was hot, and Civil Rights demonstrations were happening all around the country. There was so much hatred, fear, racism, greed, and negativity active in this country. Thomas Merton was writing and mentoring peace activists and exploring the intersection of Eastern and Western spirituality during that same time. Sadly, the year after the song was written, Merton died.
As I read, study, and reflect on Merton’s life and writings I find him quite prophetic. His message certainly speaks to the turmoil of these times of pandemic, racism, hatred, and fear-mongering. Just about the time I am ready to sink into the ocean of despair, something calls to me and pulls me out of that ocean. As I sit on the shore drying off and finding renewed hope, the Spirit encourages me to take a deep breath and live a life that is radically different from the world. This call always boils down to Loving God and Loving Neighbor (yes, that includes enemies). That commandment is always paired, for me, with Micah 6:8 — Do justice, love mercy/kindness, and walk humbly with God.
I was reading Merton’s book, The Sign of Jonas tonight and came across this quote. God’s love takes care of everything I do. He guides me in my work and in my reading, at least until I get greedy… (p. 21) This particular sentence challenges me to look at my life and witness from a different perspective.
Perhaps Dad and the Beatles were correct. All we need is love. It sounds simplistic but I believe it is spot on. Just like the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth” (and let it begin with me). Perhaps that love can begin with the divine spark placed deep within us. Perhaps then love, peace, and justice might prevail.
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
It was a long day of study, meetings, and discussions
There was also a time for reflection
Transitions aren’t always easy
Yet your Spirit continues to guide us
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
A long and full Lord’s day of fellowship and worship
A day to study and do coursework
A time to read and reflect
A time to gather around the Lord’s table
An evening spend with my sweetheart
Such a day full of grace
Thank you Spirit for that 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…
Tomorrow I will begin a wonderful seven week retreat with Abbey of the Arts hosted by Christine & John Valters Paintner along with our delightful community of Dancing Monks. The retreat is based on Christine’s book Earth: Our Original Monastery.
I have taken a number of online retreats with Christine, John, and our Dancing Monks which have been lovely (https://abbeyofthearts.com). Christine has opened my eyes in beautiful and amazing ways as a Completive Photographer and Monk in the world. Between Christine and Thomas Merton, I have been challenged to see beyond the surface of life and creation.
As Denise and I prepare to move from Estes Park, Colorado to Carrollton, Georgia there are so many changes in front of us. The biggest change is my sleep apnea will finally be under control. The other major change will be leaving our beautiful friendships and neighbors.
And other neighbors will be missed as well.
We have enjoyed so much beauty and wonder here. Christine’s thoughts about our original monastery have spoken to my soul here. I am confident that we will discover another beautiful monastery in Carrollton, Georgia. In that spirit I want to share these words from Thomas Merton which were a part of the opening of Christine’s book.
Let me seek, then, the gift of silence, and poverty, and solitude, where everything I touch is turned into prayer: where the sky is my prayer, the birds are my prayer, the wind in the trees is my prayer, for God is in all. (Thoughts in Solitude, p. 92)
May each of us, dear reader, be touched by the beauty of God’s creation in this, the original monastery.
This picture may not be what you typically think about when you read Matthew 11:28-30 – ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
As I see it, the male and female bluebirds are a partnership. It takes two to build a nest, hatch the eggs, and feed the babies. Their partnership shares the labor so that it doesn’t fall on only one of them. Isn’t that what the church is called to be?
As the church continues to navigate its way through the new reality brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be overwhelming. The inability to worship together physically can be a challenge. The physical isolation (especially those who are living alone) can be overwhelming. The challenge of fellowship opportunities can be difficult.
Some would say that these challenges are obstacles that we must blast through. Others believe that they are challenges that we can work through or come up with creative alternatives to while keeping folks safe. There may be a problem with both of these trains of thought though. Who are we working with and who is by our side? If it is only us as an individual or even collective, then we are missing an opportunity to do something even greater.
My yoke is easy and my burden is light… that’s what Jesus said to the twelve and to the larger community to whom he was preaching. Did he say that the burdens will be eliminated? Did he say that if we follow him it will be easy street for us? No, he didn’t promise to remove the burdens from us. Instead he promised to share the load with us. The collective burdens of the community and the burdens of the individual can be shared. I also believe that he challenges us to share the yoke with each other.
When two well-trained oxen are yoked together to pull a wagon or plow a field, they pull equally. The burden is lighter because it is shared. Together the ox team makes a big difference in the life of the farmer who is using them to plow or to pull a wagon. There are occasions where one of the two oxen doesn’t want to cooperate with the other. In that case, the burden gets infinitely greater because of the discord.
Unfortunately I believe this is often the case with the church body and individual members of it. This is especially true in times of challenge and trial like we are facing today. What if instead of polarization and divisiveness, we came together as the diverse body of Christ to work together while recognizing our differences?
Dear reader, we are being invited to be a part of something bigger than ourselves and our egos. We are being called to work together as the body of Christ in this world. We are being called to love God and love neighbor… to do justice, love mercy/kindness, and walk humbly together with God.
Tonight we will celebrate Communion at worship at Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies. Even though we will be separated physically, we will bring our elements together and take the bread of life and the cup of salvation as one body. Jesus invites us to come to the table… Jesus then invites us to go out into the world to serve by loving God and loving neighbor. Not only will Jesus share the yoke and the burden, we will share it with each other as Christ followers.
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
It has been a nice day with my sweetheart
It has also been a day of mixed emotions
Independence Day… sadly, not for all
Preparing for tomorrow’s worship
It will be a time to gather virtually and share the bread and the cup
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…
