The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
Early in the Evening
After a very early rise this morning
We are home and safely secure
A wonderful walk and time with friends
The puppy dog is happy (isn’t that what matters, Daddy?)
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…
Denise took this picture on the campus of Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL where we had our Ignatian Silent Retreat. The retreat for her was a time of renewal and contemplation. As she sat with this statue, called Rite of Passage, she pondered her own life and the lives of so many other women. Naturally, this came around to Eve, the Mother of us all.
This summer we will be studying the women in Jesus’s lineage according to Matthew’s Gospel. However, since only five women are mentioned and there are eight Sundays in July and August, I decided to include Mary Magdalene and the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Both are important to the life and ministry of Jesus and could be called the first Evangelists. Mary was the first to see the risen Lord and share the Good News with the disciples. The Woman at the Well went into town telling anyone who would listen about this amazing Prophet and wondered aloud if he could be the Messiah!
Of course, if you are also looking at key and instrumental women of the Bible, you cannot leave out Eve, the Mother of us all. Eve has been much maligned by the “male interpreters” of Scripture and the male Church leaders down through the century. She is the one they blame for the “fall of man” and often leave out the parts where Adam himself needed to shoulder the blame. After all, a careful reading of Genesis reveals that Adam was told first about the admonition from God to stay away from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil before Eve was even created. Adam was with Eve when the serpent told her it would be okay to eat the fruit and be like God. And what did Adam say? Not a word! So, I wonder, how come Eve gets all of the blame when it was Adam who really messed up?
Since it would be rather arrogant to have a male preacher spend the two months preaching about women, and since Eve really could use a woman’s voice; Denise will be preaching tomorrow. I look forward to assisting her in worship and celebrating Communion together tomorrow. Her sermon should be posted on the blog tomorrow.
First Scripture Reading – Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Second Scripture Reading – Luke 9:51-62
Sermon – https://soundcloud.com/user-671771055/rev-michael-moore-june-30-2019-how-do-we-use-freedom
The link for the sermon takes you to the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies Sound Cloud account. I wasn’t able to record it on my iPhone. The readings and sermon immediately follow the Chancel Choir’s Special Music.
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
A wonderful morning and early afternoon with Dad
It is always hard to say goodbye
But we are thankful for the time together
This evening after a grueling drive in a rainstorm
To spend the evening with a very dear friend
To walk around the City and soak in the sights
Now, as the evening draws to a close
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 an emotional day
Considering this holiday
Considering so much that is not right in this nation
Considering the good that is in this nation
Thankful for the time with my Dad
Thankful for this time with my beloved
Thankful for seeing dear friends
Thankful for this evening’s quiet repose
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…
Amen, Malcolm, Amen ❤️❤️
July the 3rd is the Feast of St. Thomas the apostle. Sometimes known as ‘doubting’ Thomas, but maybe honest Thomas, courageous Thomas, even Tenacious Thomas would be nearer the mark!
I thank God for St. Thomas, the one disciple who had the courage to say what everyone else was thinking but didnt dare say, the courage to ask the awkward questions that drew from Jesus some of the most beautiful and profoundly comforting of all his sayings. “We dont know where you’re going, how can we know the way”? asked Thomas, and because he had the courage to confess his ignorance, we were given that beautiful saying “I am the way the Truth and the Life” Here is the poem I have written for St. Thomas, and also a sermon called ‘Touching the Wounds’ which I preached at St. Edwards.
This sonnet is drawn from my collection Sounding the Seasons
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The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
A day of mixed emotions
Time at Mom’s graveside
Time spent exploring town
Time spent with my precious father
Time spent with very dear friends
Laughter, Stories, Love, and Blessings
For these gifts in all of their complexity
We give you thanks, O 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…
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
A long day of traveling
Lots of emotions
Lots of memories
These visits can be difficult
For a variety of reasons
Tonight we met the young woman
Who bought Mom & Dad’s Home
She and her family are making it their own
She saw the name on my Credit Card
Asked if I had lived there
A flood of memories came back
As we shared stories and their hopes and dreams
I could see Mom smiling
A family making memories
Thank you, Lord, for this 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 exhausted Padre…
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
Thank you Lord, for a good day
For work accomplished
For rest and continued healing
For silly puppy dogs barking at who knows what
For your presence in the midst of it all
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…
