“The people grumble about Jesus’ choice in companions, but we are all taught an important lesson about inclusivity. And Jesus does this by breaking bread with many people the rest of society deemed taboo to associate with.”
— John Valters Paintner, MTS, Watershed Moments in the Hebrew & Christian Scriptures: An Online, Self-Study Retreat
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
After a long day of traveling
After meetings down the mountain
It is a blessing to sit and relax
The birds are singing
A treasure I value from our Silent Retreat
You speak Lord, in the quiet
The songs of the birds sing your praises
Despite the noise of the road traffic
You speak words of comfort and encouragement
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…
One of tonight’s singers ❤️❤️
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
A wonderful day with family and friends
Awaiting departure and a flight home
Weather delays cannot dampen our spirits
It means more time 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…
Since coming out of the silence of our Retreat, I have struggled with the noise of the world. I had no idea how loud Social Media and the 24-hour News Cycle could be until it was left behind for nearly 72 hours. Here we are, at the end of our time away. As I prepare my heart and soul for the ministry ahead of me. As I prepare for funerals and meetings and ministry… may I carry the lessons of this time with me. Not as a memory, but rather as a calling to step aside, be quiet, and listen.
Silence beckons
The Spirit calls
My soul yearns for Silence
Yet we live and minister in the world
The world can be noisy
The world can be messy
Thankful for sacred conversations
Thankful for dear family and friends
Thankful for the time to Be Still
Lord, help me to carry this time forward
Lord, help me to be more intentional
Lord, help me to return to the well
Again and again
To simply Be Still
To simply Be
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
It has been an amazing week, Lord
A time for silence
A time for reflection
A time to Be Still and know
As we prepare for tomorrow’s Lord’s day
As we prepare for fellowship and worship
I lift this humble prayer to you
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
It was a wonderful time of silence
Time spent with Our Lady
Time spent with Our Mother
Time spent with you, Mother of our Lord
Silence, Prayer, and Awe
We transitioned to times of conversations
We are spending time with dear friends who are family
We are spending time embracing community
The tapestry of love, light, and community
What a sacred blessing you offer us, Lord
Our Mother, Our Father, Our Lord and Brother, Our Blessed Sister Spirit
Speak to our hearts
Challenge our minds
Equip us and send us forth
Lord, in your mercy, hear this humble prayer
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
After just over three days in silence
It was difficult to come back to the world of noise
The sounds we experienced in silence
The singing of the birds
The blowing of the wind
The sound of your voice, Lord
Such a wondrous beauty to behold
As we re-engage in the world
As we continue to listen for your voice
As we continue to discern your calling
Remind us of the sound of friendship
Remind us of the sound of family
Remind us of the sound of laughter
All gifts from you, 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…
Wise words from Ronnie!
Your neighbor is not your enemy. Neither is your co-worker, your ex-wife or husband, your former business partner, your brother, or sister. Nor is the immigrant who lives down the street, or that person of a different race, religion, political persuasion, or ethnicity whom you view with suspicion. The enemy is far closer than any of these. The real enemy is you.
— Read on ronniemcbrayer.org/2019/06/10/the-enemy-within/
As we await our flight to the Retreat Center, I am reflecting on some words of Thomas Merton from a little book (Silence, Joy) which Denise gave me for Christmas.
Our idea of God tells us more about ourselves than about God. We must learn to realize that the love of God seeks us in every situation, and seeks our good… I must learn therefore to let go of the familiar and the usual and consent to what is new and unknown to me. I must learn to “leave myself” in order to find myself by yielding to the love of God.
As I seek to follow God who is love, may I have the courage to let go. This isn’t in some sort of bumper sticker way either. In a real and life-giving, life-changing way may I let go.
