Today’s reading
Philippians 2:5-11
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father” (Phil. 2: 9-11).
Prayer
The song of the universe goes on, and this day also in me. It continues: the voice of your Spirit, risen and exalted One, is the wonder of prayer itself. For I do not pray; you pray within me. On days of particular wonder, you consume my soul, tuning it to the alleluia chorus of all the created. The melody lilting from the radio, lifting my soul, is but a single theme in the Spirit’s ancient harmony. Your song is near me and in me, as in the depths of all being. For there, in the black abyss, where all the fibers of the manifold meet, you labor in joy, as we wait the day when praise of you as Lord is no longer implicit but the universal cry of all that is.
So, for now, I shall sing eternity’s song even when no words come from the fullness of my soul. For how shall I praise you my Lord, you who fill all time with your loving presence and purpose? You are unending, unfailing, unchanging, yet moving ever to encompass the disjointed confusion of life, surrounding and enveloping every molecule with a love that I cannot speak.
With what words can I praise you? What language is up to the task? What nouns and verbs will do? What superlatives can name you, O Unspeakable Loving Wonder, so that in the speaking I may know you and fall into the blessed silence of having spoken your name as well as I can? Your immense nearness, your intimate infinity chokes every word before it can cross my lips. I want to praise you as love infinite and eternal, giving voice to an eloquence always beyond me. I stumble in the dark, catching faintest shadows of you and trying to name that which I see. And nothing quite works. Your beauty overwhelms my every attempt.
But I will go on trying, knowing I shall always fail. For each failure bears me to wordless wonder, where I know again what I cannot speak. May it ever be so. Amen.
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Friday, October 13, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Today’s reading
Philippians 2:5-11
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).
Prayer
I put my hand to the door, and your praise wells in me, joining the chorus of the universe, blessing the glorious beauty you are, O Christ. Praise was not in me a moment ago, though it is constant in every place and time. For you have made a praising universe. All things are created to bless you. Each created thing magnifies you by being what it is, and doing so it dwells in its own true identity.
The golden tree stands in the yard, limbs lifted, shouting ‘glory’ to an infinite blue sky on a cold October morning. It speaks out its brilliance, soon to fade in winter’s grayness, yet for this time gives ecstatic praise to the Eternal Splendor of which it is but a shadow. Pleased, it is, to share in the glory of you, who are Unfading Beauty. Yet, its voice is almost unheard for the riot of ‘alleluias’ rising from billions of voices, each praising you and the deathless love in which you work shalom for all you have made.
And I? I put my hand to the door. A moment ago my heart was silent, my soul fatigued, my thoughts far from you. But the Spirit of you, who are the ever-living one, awakens in me, too, the song of the universe, as every blessed thing speaks out the life you have given to each. And my silent soul joins the chorus, praising you, the source of all life and beauty. I do not know how or why my soul should suddenly awaken to eternity’s song, only that you have done this. And that I am grateful for it.
But such is your way. Having humbly given yourself, you restore and renew your splendor in us, pouring resurrected life into our mortal flesh and into finite reality that we each might find truest joy in one chorus: “Glory to you, O crucified and risen One. Glory.”
Today, may I be as wise as the golden trees, giving praise to you by being beauty you have given. Amen.
Philippians 2:5-11
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).
Prayer
I put my hand to the door, and your praise wells in me, joining the chorus of the universe, blessing the glorious beauty you are, O Christ. Praise was not in me a moment ago, though it is constant in every place and time. For you have made a praising universe. All things are created to bless you. Each created thing magnifies you by being what it is, and doing so it dwells in its own true identity.
The golden tree stands in the yard, limbs lifted, shouting ‘glory’ to an infinite blue sky on a cold October morning. It speaks out its brilliance, soon to fade in winter’s grayness, yet for this time gives ecstatic praise to the Eternal Splendor of which it is but a shadow. Pleased, it is, to share in the glory of you, who are Unfading Beauty. Yet, its voice is almost unheard for the riot of ‘alleluias’ rising from billions of voices, each praising you and the deathless love in which you work shalom for all you have made.
And I? I put my hand to the door. A moment ago my heart was silent, my soul fatigued, my thoughts far from you. But the Spirit of you, who are the ever-living one, awakens in me, too, the song of the universe, as every blessed thing speaks out the life you have given to each. And my silent soul joins the chorus, praising you, the source of all life and beauty. I do not know how or why my soul should suddenly awaken to eternity’s song, only that you have done this. And that I am grateful for it.
But such is your way. Having humbly given yourself, you restore and renew your splendor in us, pouring resurrected life into our mortal flesh and into finite reality that we each might find truest joy in one chorus: “Glory to you, O crucified and risen One. Glory.”
Today, may I be as wise as the golden trees, giving praise to you by being beauty you have given. Amen.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Today’s reading
Philippians 2:5-11
“Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the the glory of the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).
Prayer
You are Lord, and today I need you to be my Lord. There are many applicants for the job. Their voices echo against the bare walls of my soul, insidiously whispering their insinuations. They seek vulnerable spots in my soul for their attack, dragging me into shadowed halls of no escape where I find no way out.
The voices in the hall arrogantly announce the final word over my life or at least over my day. Jesus, I know my failures all to well. There are too many of them, and too often the same weary inadequacies--my inability to live up to my aspirations, my want of knowledge, my lack of deep insight, my stumbling about to trust and express what little I know, my fear to live from the heart of grace you give and be the human soul you intend. I could go on, ... easily. You get the idea.
But why must these ancient voices arise in my weak moments to accuse and abuse and haunt me into their nether world of non life? Even after all these years I cannot drive them out and prevent their return. So you can see, that is why I need you to be my Lord. For if you are not, I am left to the voices.
But you are the Living Presence of the Loving Mystery, the blessed face of the Eternal Wonder, the height and depth, length and breadth of Illimitable Love--and you are Lord. Last words over all things belong to you. And your word over me is “beloved.” But you have other words: “known” and “chosen,” and “delighted in.” You have known and wanted and loved me since before the birth of the worlds. Such is your good pleasure.
At the sound of your word the taunting voices flee, the doors are opened, the shadows are banished, the breath of life returns to my soul. For you are Lord. And I am yours. Amen.
Philippians 2:5-11
“Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the the glory of the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).
Prayer
You are Lord, and today I need you to be my Lord. There are many applicants for the job. Their voices echo against the bare walls of my soul, insidiously whispering their insinuations. They seek vulnerable spots in my soul for their attack, dragging me into shadowed halls of no escape where I find no way out.
The voices in the hall arrogantly announce the final word over my life or at least over my day. Jesus, I know my failures all to well. There are too many of them, and too often the same weary inadequacies--my inability to live up to my aspirations, my want of knowledge, my lack of deep insight, my stumbling about to trust and express what little I know, my fear to live from the heart of grace you give and be the human soul you intend. I could go on, ... easily. You get the idea.
But why must these ancient voices arise in my weak moments to accuse and abuse and haunt me into their nether world of non life? Even after all these years I cannot drive them out and prevent their return. So you can see, that is why I need you to be my Lord. For if you are not, I am left to the voices.
But you are the Living Presence of the Loving Mystery, the blessed face of the Eternal Wonder, the height and depth, length and breadth of Illimitable Love--and you are Lord. Last words over all things belong to you. And your word over me is “beloved.” But you have other words: “known” and “chosen,” and “delighted in.” You have known and wanted and loved me since before the birth of the worlds. Such is your good pleasure.
At the sound of your word the taunting voices flee, the doors are opened, the shadows are banished, the breath of life returns to my soul. For you are Lord. And I am yours. Amen.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Today’s reading
Philippians 2: 5-11
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross” (Phil 2:4-8).
Prayer
What is your mind, Holy One? What thoughts did you think? What sights and sounds flashed through you, filling your heart with wonder or anger, praise or the abiding sadness into which all human souls sink? All these certainly were yours, as they are ours.
Beyond the myriad emotions and that pulled at you there is a constancy present in your every act. There is a consistency flowing from a central conviction about who you are and who the Blessed Wonder called you to be. Your soul and eye did not waver from the one good thing—revealing from the depths of your being the face of the Eternal Wonder. You are the face and flesh the One who lights the night sky with Pleidies and Orion. You are the visible beauty of the Blessed Silence, who constantly loves, giving life to the fallen and confused, the troubled and misdirected, which is to say, to me.
Never, dear Christ, did you turn from the holy purpose of revealing the unfathomable depth of the divine heart, the length and breadth of illimitable love. Blessed are you. Your face reveals the mind of God. Of all the faces of Earth, I need to see yours most of all. When I do not see you my soul sinks into shadows of gray where there is no fire of life and joy. But when I see your love for me and every soul of Earth I know: I was made to dwell in the blessedness of God—and to be such blessedness in my time and place that the beauty of the divine heart may be known.
Today, may the beauty of your mind find expression in the life you have given me to live. Amen.
Philippians 2: 5-11
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross” (Phil 2:4-8).
Prayer
What is your mind, Holy One? What thoughts did you think? What sights and sounds flashed through you, filling your heart with wonder or anger, praise or the abiding sadness into which all human souls sink? All these certainly were yours, as they are ours.
Beyond the myriad emotions and that pulled at you there is a constancy present in your every act. There is a consistency flowing from a central conviction about who you are and who the Blessed Wonder called you to be. Your soul and eye did not waver from the one good thing—revealing from the depths of your being the face of the Eternal Wonder. You are the face and flesh the One who lights the night sky with Pleidies and Orion. You are the visible beauty of the Blessed Silence, who constantly loves, giving life to the fallen and confused, the troubled and misdirected, which is to say, to me.
Never, dear Christ, did you turn from the holy purpose of revealing the unfathomable depth of the divine heart, the length and breadth of illimitable love. Blessed are you. Your face reveals the mind of God. Of all the faces of Earth, I need to see yours most of all. When I do not see you my soul sinks into shadows of gray where there is no fire of life and joy. But when I see your love for me and every soul of Earth I know: I was made to dwell in the blessedness of God—and to be such blessedness in my time and place that the beauty of the divine heart may be known.
Today, may the beauty of your mind find expression in the life you have given me to live. Amen.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Monday, October 9, 2006
Today’s reading
Philippians 2: 5-11
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross" (Phil 2:4-8).
Prayer
I see you, blessed Christ, bent and laden, carrying your cross. The rough wood beam cuts a path through the dusty street as it drags and clanks on uneven stones. Your feet bare, your movement steady, slow, you move ahead, ever onward. Then you stop and turn to me. “Follow me,” you say. “Carry your cross”
The intensity of vision soon passes, but the image persists in the mind’s eye and begins to speak. Words form in the heart: “Each day is an invitation to live the newness. Each moment is an opportunity to live the newness.” The words repeat until all that is left is the slogan itself: “Live the newness.”
These are your words to me--in me, and the meaning is near to hand. I know what it is for me: to release the fears that limit my soul so that I recoil from hard struggle. You invite me to a freedom beyond fear, to see each person, each encounter, each moment as occasion to live the love, the joy, the peace and conviction of the reign of God that even now shapes the depths of my being. It is to let the givenness of your love be the fountain from which every action and word flows in life-giving stream.
To live the newness is to give expression to your life, O blessed Spring. It bubbles from impenetrable eternity, emerging through my depths to freshen my heart with love and the hope-filled expectation that the every cross bears the promise of birthing the eternal newness flowing from your heart.
“Live the newness,“ you say again, the cross resting on your shoulder. Today, may I take up my daily duties, bearing them in hope, that each may become the occasion for the joy of sharing the new life you are. Amen.
Philippians 2: 5-11
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross" (Phil 2:4-8).
Prayer
I see you, blessed Christ, bent and laden, carrying your cross. The rough wood beam cuts a path through the dusty street as it drags and clanks on uneven stones. Your feet bare, your movement steady, slow, you move ahead, ever onward. Then you stop and turn to me. “Follow me,” you say. “Carry your cross”
The intensity of vision soon passes, but the image persists in the mind’s eye and begins to speak. Words form in the heart: “Each day is an invitation to live the newness. Each moment is an opportunity to live the newness.” The words repeat until all that is left is the slogan itself: “Live the newness.”
These are your words to me--in me, and the meaning is near to hand. I know what it is for me: to release the fears that limit my soul so that I recoil from hard struggle. You invite me to a freedom beyond fear, to see each person, each encounter, each moment as occasion to live the love, the joy, the peace and conviction of the reign of God that even now shapes the depths of my being. It is to let the givenness of your love be the fountain from which every action and word flows in life-giving stream.
To live the newness is to give expression to your life, O blessed Spring. It bubbles from impenetrable eternity, emerging through my depths to freshen my heart with love and the hope-filled expectation that the every cross bears the promise of birthing the eternal newness flowing from your heart.
“Live the newness,“ you say again, the cross resting on your shoulder. Today, may I take up my daily duties, bearing them in hope, that each may become the occasion for the joy of sharing the new life you are. Amen.
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