God of Grace,
we give thanks to you
for the family immediate and extended,
all of whom are known intimately by You;
we lift tem up now in name
to remind ourselves of your surrounding love
as embodied by them through your Spirit
God of Grace,
we give thanks to you
for the circle of friends, companions, and coworkers
with whom we break bread;
we name them now as reminders
to one another of your blessings
of companionship and faithfulness
God of grace,
we give thanks to you
for the world you have entrusted in our care;
we are mindful of the earth,
and of the abuse she has endured
under our stewardship,
eroding mountains,
polluted the air,
drilling the crust,
poisoning the waters;
we give you thanks for the new opportunities,
still, to be better stewards of all your creations
so that together we and all the earth
can praise you with our very existence
God of Grace
we give thanks to you
for all our clergy and for all our lay leaders
to whom you have given vision
and passion to answer your calling,
for Pastor Peter, Pastor Emily,
for our Bishop Brown,
for Bayview District Superintendent Extrum-Fernandez,
and for all others whom we now name
God of Grace
we give thanks to you
for all our government leaders
who will lead us uinto a new century
of peace, justice, and equality,
for leaders of the G8
and all the United Nations,
for President Obama and his family,
for V. President Biden and his fmaily,
and for all other world leaders
whom we now name
God of Grace
we give praise and thanks to you
for the chance to rebuild lives
and homes for the survivors
of disasters and tragedies
at Fort Hood, China, Taiwan,
Samoa, Phillippines, Tongan nation,
Louisiana, India,
and other that we now name
God of Grace
we give praise and thanks to you
for your mercy, love, and faithfulness
throughout the ages;
we your people cry out in joy
in anticipation of your coming;
show us how to help one another see
signs of your Spirit at work within us
All this we pray in the name of the One
who showed us the Way, Jesus our Christ,
Amen.
November 27, 2009
Prayers of the People
Today being Thanksgiving, I felt it appropriate to post a prayer which was lifted up in petition during our worship service last Sunday. While it was offered up as a litany for the whole congregation, I think it would also be apropos for individual prayer. (The form is taken from the Methodist litany of intercession, which has roots in the Anglican tradition.)
On the earth distress among nations...
How goes it with my soul during this Thanksgiving season? As I've said before, my journey to pray the hours using Thomas Merton's A Book of Hours continues to be fulfilling, and challenging, during this time of year when there are so (too) many things to do. I remember to pray at the Dawn hour, at mid-Day, at Dusk, and in the Dark hour, and this ritual has helped center me in many ways, calling me to tune into the special moments at work, at lunch, at rest, etc. This attentiveness to the ordinary reminds me of the chapter in the book Seeds of Faith in which we are asked to practice prayer in ways that rejuvenate us.
A few Sundays past, one of the lections invited me to reflect on the power of prayer, and most pointedly, Hannah's prayer. The readings started me thinking of how I normally pray, and how fervently I do pray. Is it a primary part of my daily ritual? Is prayer even a part of my daily ritual?
In addition to reflecting on the ways in which I pray, I also began focusing more closely on how Eli mistakes Hannah's praying as drunkenness. After she feasts, Hannah prays, but does so silently. Because he is only reading her lips, and because he misread the context of the feast preceding her prayer time, Eli chastises Hannah for displaying drunkenness. How interesting that a priest, a man of God, would make such a mistake. Unable to see Hannah's deep sadness and intense distress, Eli tells her to put away her wine. How long does it take for a holy man to fall out of Love and out of Grace in such a way that prevents him from reading the signs? Perhaps it had been far too long since he last witnessed such earnestness in prayer. Perhaps it had been too long since Eli had experienced anything similar to Hannah's suffering. Perhaps he had forgotten how to recognize sadness.
This week's Gospel reading invites us to pay attention to signs, to not be lulled into passivity and complacency, to stay awake, to take note that "worldwide suffering accompanied by unstoppable cataclysm...marks the promised redemption (GBOD Worship). In Luke chapter 21, the people are told that the signs pointing to the new world, new kingdom, are quite different than what they expect. If they do not stay awake and attentive, they will misread the signs. And perhaps they will not only lose focus, but will miss the signs entirely.
As I mull over this text, I keep thinking back to the movie "2012" which I saw recently. Like many other movies of the cataclysmic-end-of-world genre (e.g. "Day After Tomorrow", "Armageddon", "Deep Impact"), 2012 also deals with signs. It begins with signs pointing to the earth's ecological destruction and ends with signs of renewal, rebirth, humanity (or attempts to gesture towards an ideology of justice, peace, equality, love). There are, of course, characters in the movie who are identifiers and interpreters of signals -- both the environmental/ecological signals and the other, more intangible signs of community, life, humanness. What's interesting is this: whether they are attempting to read signals emitted by the earth (recognized by massive, destructive earthquakes and tsunamis), or they are reading subtler, more nuanced behaviors demonstrating a certain kind of compassion, some "get it" (the signals) from the very beginning (the Woody Harrelson character maybe? or the scientist protagonist?) and attempt to broadcast/interpret what they see. Some don't "get it" until the very end (there are several characters that I can think of in the moview, but I'm also remembering Eli who finally understands Hannah's situation). No matter what, there is always a messenger, a voice calling out in the human desert, interceding on behalf of others, on behalf of humanity.
For me, the challenge this week is not in reading the temperatures to gauge whether the earth will explode, or whether the ice caps will melt causing tsunamis, or whether earthquakes in California will send me floating out into the Pacific. I'm unable to read the stars or the sun or the moon.
For me, the invitation is to pay attention to the human signals, those emitted and transmitted by the people around me/us, who are oftentimes difficult to understand. It is, in a way, similar to Eli attending to Hannah's signs of distress, finally being able to recognize her sad countenance which was later transformed after her prayers were interceded by Eli. The community within which I live, work, and play provides the barometers to which I/we should attend. Those are the signs telling us there is food to be served, there is hunger to be fed, there is disease to be cured, there is homelessness to shelter. There is compassion to be shared and experienced.
Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength...
A few Sundays past, one of the lections invited me to reflect on the power of prayer, and most pointedly, Hannah's prayer. The readings started me thinking of how I normally pray, and how fervently I do pray. Is it a primary part of my daily ritual? Is prayer even a part of my daily ritual?
In addition to reflecting on the ways in which I pray, I also began focusing more closely on how Eli mistakes Hannah's praying as drunkenness. After she feasts, Hannah prays, but does so silently. Because he is only reading her lips, and because he misread the context of the feast preceding her prayer time, Eli chastises Hannah for displaying drunkenness. How interesting that a priest, a man of God, would make such a mistake. Unable to see Hannah's deep sadness and intense distress, Eli tells her to put away her wine. How long does it take for a holy man to fall out of Love and out of Grace in such a way that prevents him from reading the signs? Perhaps it had been far too long since he last witnessed such earnestness in prayer. Perhaps it had been too long since Eli had experienced anything similar to Hannah's suffering. Perhaps he had forgotten how to recognize sadness.
This week's Gospel reading invites us to pay attention to signs, to not be lulled into passivity and complacency, to stay awake, to take note that "worldwide suffering accompanied by unstoppable cataclysm...marks the promised redemption (GBOD Worship). In Luke chapter 21, the people are told that the signs pointing to the new world, new kingdom, are quite different than what they expect. If they do not stay awake and attentive, they will misread the signs. And perhaps they will not only lose focus, but will miss the signs entirely.
As I mull over this text, I keep thinking back to the movie "2012" which I saw recently. Like many other movies of the cataclysmic-end-of-world genre (e.g. "Day After Tomorrow", "Armageddon", "Deep Impact"), 2012 also deals with signs. It begins with signs pointing to the earth's ecological destruction and ends with signs of renewal, rebirth, humanity (or attempts to gesture towards an ideology of justice, peace, equality, love). There are, of course, characters in the movie who are identifiers and interpreters of signals -- both the environmental/ecological signals and the other, more intangible signs of community, life, humanness. What's interesting is this: whether they are attempting to read signals emitted by the earth (recognized by massive, destructive earthquakes and tsunamis), or they are reading subtler, more nuanced behaviors demonstrating a certain kind of compassion, some "get it" (the signals) from the very beginning (the Woody Harrelson character maybe? or the scientist protagonist?) and attempt to broadcast/interpret what they see. Some don't "get it" until the very end (there are several characters that I can think of in the moview, but I'm also remembering Eli who finally understands Hannah's situation). No matter what, there is always a messenger, a voice calling out in the human desert, interceding on behalf of others, on behalf of humanity.
For me, the challenge this week is not in reading the temperatures to gauge whether the earth will explode, or whether the ice caps will melt causing tsunamis, or whether earthquakes in California will send me floating out into the Pacific. I'm unable to read the stars or the sun or the moon.
For me, the invitation is to pay attention to the human signals, those emitted and transmitted by the people around me/us, who are oftentimes difficult to understand. It is, in a way, similar to Eli attending to Hannah's signs of distress, finally being able to recognize her sad countenance which was later transformed after her prayers were interceded by Eli. The community within which I live, work, and play provides the barometers to which I/we should attend. Those are the signs telling us there is food to be served, there is hunger to be fed, there is disease to be cured, there is homelessness to shelter. There is compassion to be shared and experienced.
Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength...
November 21, 2009
A More Perfect World
"This beautiful natural world is a loving gift from God, the Creator of all things seen and unseen. God has entrusted its care to all of us, but we have turned our backs on God and on our responsibilities. Our neglect, selfishness, and pride have fostered:
+ pandemic poverty and disease;
+ environmental degradation, and
+ the proliferation of weapons and violence.
Despite these interconnected threats to life and hope, God's creative work continues. Despite the ways we all contribute to these problems, God still invites each one of us to participate in the work of renewal. We must begin the work of renewing creation by being renewed in our own hearts and minds. We cannot help the world until we change our way of being in it."
Earlier in November, the council of bishops of the UMC produced a pastoral letter called "God's Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action." The bishops issued the letter as a challenge to all Methodists (w/ hearts "strangely warmed"?), and "all ecumenical and inter-religious partners and people of goodwill around the world." Theirs was an invitation calling all people to renew our hope and take action to transform the world.
The English version of the letter can be found at God's Renewed Creation, along with versions in Korean, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and German.
The bishops hope that congregations will read this letter and incorporate its challenge into liturgical worship during Advent. Check out more information here.
November 20, 2009
November 18, 2009
Hunger and Climate Change
Fight for Hunger and Climate Change: "Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told the summit hunger is the most devastating weapon of mass destruction on our planet. He said it does not kill soldiers, but innocent children." Read article here at Voice of America News.
News on the World Food Summit in Rome: "Over 1 billion people worldwide suffer from food insecurity, and the challenge ahead will only be exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and rural-urban migration. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon cautioned today that food security cannot be tackled without addressing climate change." See article here on the ONE blog.
News on the World Food Summit in Rome: "Over 1 billion people worldwide suffer from food insecurity, and the challenge ahead will only be exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and rural-urban migration. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon cautioned today that food security cannot be tackled without addressing climate change." See article here on the ONE blog.
November 17, 2009
Room at the Table: on Christ the King Sunday and Harvest Thanksgiving
Soon and very soon, we will load our dining tables with baskets of bread and butter, Indian corn, and cranberry sauce. We will have turkey meat and mashed potatoes with gravy. We will dine on pumpkin pies and whipped cream or hot chocolate and creamed coffee. Perhaps we might have a steaming bowl of beef porridge with Chinese donuts. Maybe an extra large bowl of pho noodles with tripe and brisket. In whatever way we celebrate Thanksgiving, most of us will not fret about whether or not we will be fed, be clothed, be warmed. We will surely appreciate the abundance of food that will nourish our bodies, and we will certainly feast on the laughter, joy, and conversations in the presence of family and friends around the table.
Yet, as we move towards Thanksgiving, as we await the celebratory feasting, let us not forget that there are those who hunger. Starve. Those with empty stomachs growling as they line up at soup kitchens and food pantries in the cold Bay Area weather. Are there those around us who desire something more? Where we are now, who are the people in need of "something to eat, drink, or wear" (Mt 6:25 CEV)? Matthew 6:32 reminds us that "only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things".
If we examine this statement from our self-focused point of view, then we might frame the clause in this way: I worry about this and this and this, therefore I don't know God. That is a worrisome conclusion, indeed. Today, let us hear the invitation in a different way: People to whom we have not shown signs of God's love and mercy and grace might always worry about such things as this or this or that...
This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday, which is a major feast day in the Christian calendar, a day when we celebrate the just and merciful reign of God. Regardless of the diverse definitions and interpretations for the "kingship" of Jesus our Christ, this day should remind us to answer the invitation -- meet the challenge -- which we have been given as children of God and a community of faith: As we feast and dine with abundant thanks, how do we embody God's reign of peace, justice and love? How do we exemplify love, joy, peace to those around us? How do we help "people who don't know God" to worry less, to be clothed and fed, to be filled and warmed? Because doing that is bringing the reign of God into reality.
Perhaps there are those who hunger and worry because they need us to embody God to them, now. Perhaps there are those just waiting for us to show God's love in concrete ways that help them remember God. In this coming week, seriously consider the invitation for you to make room at the table...
Yet, as we move towards Thanksgiving, as we await the celebratory feasting, let us not forget that there are those who hunger. Starve. Those with empty stomachs growling as they line up at soup kitchens and food pantries in the cold Bay Area weather. Are there those around us who desire something more? Where we are now, who are the people in need of "something to eat, drink, or wear" (Mt 6:25 CEV)? Matthew 6:32 reminds us that "only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things".
If we examine this statement from our self-focused point of view, then we might frame the clause in this way: I worry about this and this and this, therefore I don't know God. That is a worrisome conclusion, indeed. Today, let us hear the invitation in a different way: People to whom we have not shown signs of God's love and mercy and grace might always worry about such things as this or this or that...
This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday, which is a major feast day in the Christian calendar, a day when we celebrate the just and merciful reign of God. Regardless of the diverse definitions and interpretations for the "kingship" of Jesus our Christ, this day should remind us to answer the invitation -- meet the challenge -- which we have been given as children of God and a community of faith: As we feast and dine with abundant thanks, how do we embody God's reign of peace, justice and love? How do we exemplify love, joy, peace to those around us? How do we help "people who don't know God" to worry less, to be clothed and fed, to be filled and warmed? Because doing that is bringing the reign of God into reality.
Perhaps there are those who hunger and worry because they need us to embody God to them, now. Perhaps there are those just waiting for us to show God's love in concrete ways that help them remember God. In this coming week, seriously consider the invitation for you to make room at the table...
Let us then continue united in prayer and faith, and realize more nd more the truth and mercy of God in our lives. For we are called above all to be signs of His mercy in the world, and our fidelity will in its turn be a small sign to others of His fidelity, not that our fidelity has nay value of itself, but it enables Him to give us richer blessings and to manifest Himself in doing good to us who are nothing. - Thomas Merton, The School of Charity, Pg. 261-262
a Prayer for Christ the King Sunday
November 12, 2009
Hannah the Prayer Warrior
1) As you read through the story of Hannah the first time around, what images come to mind? Think of all the different types of imagery that might leap out from the narrative: visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, kinesthetic, etc.
2) For the second reading, what phrases capture your attention? What words did you concentrate on?
3) For the third reading, what ideas or thoughts or questions come to mind?
+ How easy it was for Hannah's posture of prayer to be confused with drunkenness...
+ Is it because Eli is so disconnected from that kind of intense praying that he is unable (no longer able) to recognize/see Hannah's ardor, and therefore mistakes it for drunkenness?
+ Isn't it true that sometimes we define our practices of prayer in such limited ways that prevent us from appreciating the mystery and power of prayer?
+ Sometimes, we are reminded that people who are labeled/titled "holy" can still learn from the laity; in this narrative, Hannah manifests more faith, more earnestness, more holiness than Eli expected
+ How presumptuous of Eli to take Hannah to task for displaying drunkenness!
+ Elkanah: demonstrates attentiveness and a level of sensitivity almost unheard of in husbands within other narratives, yet he still is unable to understand Hannah's grief and deep hunger/desire; he recognizes her sadness and seeks to fill her emptiness with "double portions" and loves her, but still does not comprehend the source of her emptiness
+ While some narratives highlight wives' barrenness and often attribute it to sin committed on their part, this narrative lifts up Elkanah's love for his wife despite the fact that they have no children; no blame is heaped on her by him... or,
+ Or is it that he blames her but still loves her despite her barrenness? Is it possible for us to entertain the idea that he does not attribute her barrenness to her sin, like some interpretations are wont to do?
+ Could Elkanah, as husband, have done something to alleviate the rivalry between the two women? Questions of polygamy enter into the scene here... For years Hannah endured the pain caused by Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah... Might he have done something to change the situation? Or, did he do something to aggravate the situation?
+ Surely his favoritism of Hannah over Peninnah contributed and aggravated the rivalry between them... Doesn't this remind us of the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah?
+ Hannah's deep hunger could only be understood by God. Neither husband nor holy priest understood her bitterness, her sadness, her distress. Hannah knew that and recognized it.
+ Hannah's vow to God to dedicate her son, to commit him to a priestly vocation -- what an amazing sacrifice!
+ What if we were to think of prayer and define prayer in such radically different ways?
2) For the second reading, what phrases capture your attention? What words did you concentrate on?
3) For the third reading, what ideas or thoughts or questions come to mind?
1 Samuel 1:4-20
1:4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters;
1:5 but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb.
1:6 Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb.
1:7 So it went on year by year; as often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.
1:8 Her husband Elkanah said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?"
1:9 After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the LORD. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD.
1:10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD, and wept bitterly.
1:11 She made this vow: "O LORD of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head."
1:12 As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth.
1:13 Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk.
1:14 So Eli said to her, "How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine."
1:15 But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD.
1:16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time."
1:17 Then Eli answered, "Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him."
1:18 And she said, "Let your servant find favor in your sight." Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer.
1:19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her.
1:20 In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, "I have asked him of the LORD."
+ How easy it was for Hannah's posture of prayer to be confused with drunkenness...
+ Is it because Eli is so disconnected from that kind of intense praying that he is unable (no longer able) to recognize/see Hannah's ardor, and therefore mistakes it for drunkenness?
+ Isn't it true that sometimes we define our practices of prayer in such limited ways that prevent us from appreciating the mystery and power of prayer?
+ Sometimes, we are reminded that people who are labeled/titled "holy" can still learn from the laity; in this narrative, Hannah manifests more faith, more earnestness, more holiness than Eli expected
+ How presumptuous of Eli to take Hannah to task for displaying drunkenness!
+ Elkanah: demonstrates attentiveness and a level of sensitivity almost unheard of in husbands within other narratives, yet he still is unable to understand Hannah's grief and deep hunger/desire; he recognizes her sadness and seeks to fill her emptiness with "double portions" and loves her, but still does not comprehend the source of her emptiness
+ While some narratives highlight wives' barrenness and often attribute it to sin committed on their part, this narrative lifts up Elkanah's love for his wife despite the fact that they have no children; no blame is heaped on her by him... or,
+ Or is it that he blames her but still loves her despite her barrenness? Is it possible for us to entertain the idea that he does not attribute her barrenness to her sin, like some interpretations are wont to do?
+ Could Elkanah, as husband, have done something to alleviate the rivalry between the two women? Questions of polygamy enter into the scene here... For years Hannah endured the pain caused by Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah... Might he have done something to change the situation? Or, did he do something to aggravate the situation?
+ Surely his favoritism of Hannah over Peninnah contributed and aggravated the rivalry between them... Doesn't this remind us of the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah?
+ Hannah's deep hunger could only be understood by God. Neither husband nor holy priest understood her bitterness, her sadness, her distress. Hannah knew that and recognized it.
+ Hannah's vow to God to dedicate her son, to commit him to a priestly vocation -- what an amazing sacrifice!
+ What if we were to think of prayer and define prayer in such radically different ways?
November 11, 2009
Juggling the FRIENDS Ball
Last Sunday, our invincible Children's Time preachers came together to share with the congregation a message about Juggling the Balls of Work, Health, Friends, Family, and Faith. They were impassioned with the Spirit of God, speaking with clarity, energy, and focus. Although they said disparagingly that it was disjointed, disorganized, and unrehearsed, I could tell the Spirit was speaking through them with clear messages for us, the people in the pews, to reflect upon. The following is an excerpt of what Donna shared about juggling the FRIENDS ball (symbolized by a lovely snow globe).
Friends are important in my life-are they in yours? I want you to close your eyes and think about your very first friend, your best friend, the friend you did lots of stuff with, the friend you got in trouble with you-know that friend. Okay I see a lot of people smiling, so I know you know what I mean. Okay open your eyes, but continue to think about your friend or friends. So friends are important. They are so important that there are even songs about friends –
I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
'Cuz you're there for me too...
(Friends theme song)
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
If you've got troubles, I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and can see it through
Cause you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
(Toy Story I)
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come runnin' to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend
(Carole King)
So through whatever goes on in my life I know that my friends will be there for me. We can travel, we can explore and we can have adventures. I can call my friend at 2:00 a.m. and it’s okay, because that friend is the best listener. We can go shopping or not and just window shop. We can sit in the car and talk for hours and then when we get home call each other on the phone and talk some more. Friends doing stuff together, talking with each other about stuff at home, at work, when you're sick or even when you just need a prayer. My friends, my peeps - the kind of friends you have too and that is what’s important in my life -- helps keep my life balanced. I would be crushed if I ever lost my friends-it would be like having a snow globe that didn’t have any snow.
The desert has many teachings
In the desert,
turn toward emptiness,
fleeing the self.
Stand alone,
ask no one's help,
and your being will quiet,
free from the bondage of things.
Those who cling to the world,
endeavor to free them;
Those who are free, praise.
Care for the sick,
but live alone,
happy to drink from the waters of sorrow,
to kindle Love's fire
with the twigs of a simple life.
Thus you will live in the desert.
- Mechtild of Magdeburg
turn toward emptiness,
fleeing the self.
Stand alone,
ask no one's help,
and your being will quiet,
free from the bondage of things.
Those who cling to the world,
endeavor to free them;
Those who are free, praise.
Care for the sick,
but live alone,
happy to drink from the waters of sorrow,
to kindle Love's fire
with the twigs of a simple life.
Thus you will live in the desert.
- Mechtild of Magdeburg
November 10, 2009
Juggling the FAITH Ball
This past Sunday, our invincible Children's Time preachers came together to share with the congregation a message about Juggling the Balls of Work, Health, Friends, Family, and Faith. They were impassioned with the Spirit of God, speaking with clarity, energy, and focus. Although they said disparagingly that it was disjointed, disorganized, and unrehearsed, I could tell the Spirit was speaking through them with clear messages for us, the people in the pews, to reflect upon. The following is an excerpt of what Brenda shared about juggling the ball of faith.
We have heard how important Work, Family, Friends, and Health are, but when all things fail or fall apart, what can we cling to? For me my FAITH in God has helped me through a few disasters in my life. God is in the midst of our storms as he was in 1989 when the Loma Prieta earthquake hit. God was with 5 yr. old Jelli as she hid under a table at a friend’s house, and with Matthew alone under the public library tables, and Micheline bouncing up and down in the van after her violin lesson and with Jenise at her piano lesson when I heard the Bay Bridge collapsed. Somehow faith helped me know that all would be ok even though my kids were scattered all over Castro Valley.
When I thought I would die earlier this year when I heard I had a spot in my lung, health was a major issue. Xray after xray showed the same spot. Thoughts raced through my head, I can’t die now, who’s going to take care of my mom and Vince…they’re helpless! Many prayers were said and faith somehow gave me strength to face each day. I trusted God to know what was best for me. If my life were to end now, he would provide for my family. I was ready to accept God’s will even if it meant I would die. Then the CT scan came back and the spot was just scar tissue. All my fears and heaviness lifted.
Even though I have faith in God to be my refuge and strength, I still worry about things like my 95 yr. old mom, my kids, future grandkids maybe someday, growing old, my upcoming cruise and if I would be safe or in danger xxxxxxxx etc.and drop the ball, but the Bible says in Ps. 145:13 The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. Our faith may be weak at times, but God’s isn’t. His faithfulness continues through all generations as it says in Ps. 119:90. God has given my mom a deep faith which is still in heart, even in her dementia and loss of memory. In each painful and unsteady step she takes and falling twice this week, she is often heard praying, “God please help me.”
This faith ball when dropped lights up. We may drop it and neglect our faith, but the light is like Jesus calling us back, who is our light in darkness, our guiding light when we are lost or confused, giving us hope and growing our faith. Faith is a gift from God which is precious.
As Naomi and Ruth had faith in God after the death of their husbands, to provide food, shelter and protection as they lived in Moab and later traveled back to Bethlehem, we can remember that in our disasters, our faith grows as God carries us through our trials.
- Words from Brenda Wong, "Juggling the Faith Ball". Nov. 8, 2009
a Hymn, at the Dawn Hour
How long we wait, with minds as quiet as time,
like sentries on a tower.
How long we watch, by night, like the astronomers.
Heaven, when will we hear you sing,
arising from our grassing hills,
And say, "The dark is done, and Day
laughs like a Bridegroom in His tent, the lovely sun,
His tent the sun, His tent the smiling sky!"
How long we wait with minds as dim as ponds
while stars swim slowly homeward in the water of our west!
Heaven, when will we hear you sing?
How long we listened to the silence of our vineyards
and heard no bird stir in the rising barley.
The stars go home behind the shaggy trees.
Our minds are grey as rivers.
O earth, hen will you wake in the green wheat,
and all our cedars sing:
"Bright land, lift up your leafy gates!
Your abbey steeple, sing with bells!
For look, our Sun rejoices like a dancer
on the rim of our hills."
In the blue west the moon is uttered like the word:
"Farewell"
- from Thomas Merton
like sentries on a tower.
How long we watch, by night, like the astronomers.
Heaven, when will we hear you sing,
arising from our grassing hills,
And say, "The dark is done, and Day
laughs like a Bridegroom in His tent, the lovely sun,
His tent the sun, His tent the smiling sky!"
How long we wait with minds as dim as ponds
while stars swim slowly homeward in the water of our west!
Heaven, when will we hear you sing?
How long we listened to the silence of our vineyards
and heard no bird stir in the rising barley.
The stars go home behind the shaggy trees.
Our minds are grey as rivers.
O earth, hen will you wake in the green wheat,
and all our cedars sing:
"Bright land, lift up your leafy gates!
Your abbey steeple, sing with bells!
For look, our Sun rejoices like a dancer
on the rim of our hills."
In the blue west the moon is uttered like the word:
"Farewell"
- from Thomas Merton
November 9, 2009
Lectio Divina: what's up with Ruth
During this past Sunday's practice of lectio divina, we were invited to think about a particular section of the narrative retold in the book of Ruth (see below). As we moved through the multiple readings of the text, several thoughts came to mind, and I share them here as nothing but HAT's observations about a very peculiar story of, in my opinion, faith and family.
+ Wonderful mother/daughter-in-law relationship. See how Naomi calls Ruth "daughter" as if it is a close relationship. See how Naomi wants to care for Ruth's security
+ Working together as mother/daughter tag-team: what a great story of guile, cunning, perhaps also a bit of manipulation? Is this a story of entrapment?
+ Ruth was so independent, strong, free-willed. Yet the narrative here only has her respond in a very obedient way, agreeing to this plot of Naomi's without so much as a word of protest. Narrative/story tellers frustrate me. What are they leaving out?! Why is the story retold in this way? What's with the mystery twists and turns?
+ Ruth does the hard work, and Naomi is praised and blessed by the women of the village. What? Where's Ruth in this?
+ See how the women recognize/acknowledge that Ruth loves Naomi and is dearer and better than seven sons... leave it to the women to recognize such power. The narrative gives voice to the women of the village!
+ Power of naming is a privilege, an honor, an authority and in this instance, the women name the child Obed. Not Ruth, not Boaz, not Naomi.
+ Strange, but I like it -- that Boaz is not mentioned in the naming section of the narrative. Biblical stories so often lift up the men, the patriarchal society, the male-dominated communities, and Boaz is clearly a man of wealth, power, influence, honor, integrity... but this story belongs to Naomi and to Ruth, and not to Boaz. Ha!
Lectio:
1) As you read through the story of Ruth and Naomi the first time around, what images come to mind? Think of all the different types of imagery that might leap out from the narrative: visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, kinesthetic, etc.
2) For the second reading, what phrases capture your attention? What words did you concentrate on?
3) For the third reading, what ideas or thoughts or questions come to mind?
+ Wonderful mother/daughter-in-law relationship. See how Naomi calls Ruth "daughter" as if it is a close relationship. See how Naomi wants to care for Ruth's security
+ Working together as mother/daughter tag-team: what a great story of guile, cunning, perhaps also a bit of manipulation? Is this a story of entrapment?
+ Ruth was so independent, strong, free-willed. Yet the narrative here only has her respond in a very obedient way, agreeing to this plot of Naomi's without so much as a word of protest. Narrative/story tellers frustrate me. What are they leaving out?! Why is the story retold in this way? What's with the mystery twists and turns?
+ Ruth does the hard work, and Naomi is praised and blessed by the women of the village. What? Where's Ruth in this?
+ See how the women recognize/acknowledge that Ruth loves Naomi and is dearer and better than seven sons... leave it to the women to recognize such power. The narrative gives voice to the women of the village!
+ Power of naming is a privilege, an honor, an authority and in this instance, the women name the child Obed. Not Ruth, not Boaz, not Naomi.
+ Strange, but I like it -- that Boaz is not mentioned in the naming section of the narrative. Biblical stories so often lift up the men, the patriarchal society, the male-dominated communities, and Boaz is clearly a man of wealth, power, influence, honor, integrity... but this story belongs to Naomi and to Ruth, and not to Boaz. Ha!
A brief, brief guide from the practice of Lectio Divina, suggested by Jeremy Langford in Seeds of Faith (pg. 73):
- Lectio (Reading): Read the chosen text reflectively and slowly. Enter into it as deeply as you can. Reread all or part of the text several times. If it helps, read aloud. Stop when a particular word, phrase, or image strikes you.
- Meditatio (Pondering): Stay with whatever touches you. Ponder and savor it, letting it penetrate your awareness, mind, and heart.
- Oratio (Praying): As you ponder, a prayer of thanks, repentance, need, or love may emerge. Allow yourself to express your prayer. Take as long as you need. What is it you seek most in life right now? What do you most want to say to God? What do you most want to hear from God?
- Contemplatio (Resting in God): At times, your prayer moves beyond words and images. When this happens, you are "resting in God." Let yourself trust enough to yield to the moment. As the sense of resting cease, return to reading the text and let the rhythm of reading, pondering, praying, and resting in God play itself out naturally and fluidly.
- End each time of lectio divina with a prayer, such as the Lord's prayer.
Lectio:
1) As you read through the story of Ruth and Naomi the first time around, what images come to mind? Think of all the different types of imagery that might leap out from the narrative: visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, kinesthetic, etc.
2) For the second reading, what phrases capture your attention? What words did you concentrate on?
3) For the third reading, what ideas or thoughts or questions come to mind?
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17
3:1 Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you.
3:2 Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.
3:3 Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
3:4 When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do."
3:5 She said to her, "All that you tell me I will do."
4:13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the LORD made her conceive, and she bore a son.
4:14 Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel!
4:15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him."
4:16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse.
4:17 The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi." They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.
a Prayer for the People
This past Sunday, as an 11th-hour substitute, I was asked to offer a prayer for the people during our worship service. Those of you familiar with the contemplative Thomas Merton will recognize large portions of his litany of intercession. His prayer touched my heart and though a large portion of the words were penned by him, I offered it up as a petition from my own heart. Let us, again, center ourselves with a deep breath, and open our hearts to pray together for the global community, and for the church universal...
Almighty and merciful God,
Father and Mother of us all,
Creator and Ruler of the Universe,
Your designs are inscrutable
Your glory is without blemish
Your compassion is unending.
In you, O Lord, is our peace
Teach us to wait and trust as we juggle our day to day responsibilities
Teach us to rejoice in each act of self-giving on behalf of others
Teach us to uphold human dignity and community
Teach us to see your face in every person we meet, to stay in love with you
Teach us to recognize the diverse signs of your kingdom, hard as they are to recognize at times,
in every expression of love, justice, and reconciliation
Heal and console those who have been wounded by the shootings in Ft. Hood, Texas
Bless and console those who have been touched by death and illness in this past week
Grant wisdom and clarity to those seeking employment, to those juggling with displacement
Teach us to be joyful in the abundance of your gifts
Teach us how to share those gifts in witness of your love and Mercy
Grant light, strenth, and patience to all who work for liberty and lasting peace on this earth
All this we pray in the Name of our Servant Lord, Jesus the Christ.
Amen.
Almighty and merciful God,
Father and Mother of us all,
Creator and Ruler of the Universe,
Your designs are inscrutable
Your glory is without blemish
Your compassion is unending.
In you, O Lord, is our peace
Teach us to wait and trust as we juggle our day to day responsibilities
Teach us to rejoice in each act of self-giving on behalf of others
Teach us to uphold human dignity and community
Teach us to see your face in every person we meet, to stay in love with you
Teach us to recognize the diverse signs of your kingdom, hard as they are to recognize at times,
in every expression of love, justice, and reconciliation
Heal and console those who have been wounded by the shootings in Ft. Hood, Texas
Bless and console those who have been touched by death and illness in this past week
Grant wisdom and clarity to those seeking employment, to those juggling with displacement
Teach us to be joyful in the abundance of your gifts
Teach us how to share those gifts in witness of your love and Mercy
Grant light, strenth, and patience to all who work for liberty and lasting peace on this earth
All this we pray in the Name of our Servant Lord, Jesus the Christ.
Amen.
Lucky Stiff
What would you do for six million dollars? Kill your lover? Vacation with a dead body? Save some dogs? Scuba dive with a corpse? Yesterday, I was lucky enough to go see "Lucky Stiff" at the Contra Costa Civic Theater in El Cerrito.
If you are into musicals, comedies, and murder mysteries that end happily, then you're in for a fantastic treat! Visit CCCT and get swept away with a wonderful story.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)