Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Today’s text

Matthew 5:6

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for uprightness: they shall have their fill.

Reflection

I have stopped running this morning, Jesus. I have not been running from you. Just running. Just busy. My mind and hands have been full of work that is done for you, planning and organizing, teaching and sharing, counseling and supporting.

Most of it makes me smile; you, too, I hope. But this morning I have no place to which I need run, and tears are quickly in my eyes.

My soul finds an open space to breathe. My heart opens, and a hunger fills the inmost parts of my body. But even while feeling this, my hunger is satisfied, at least in part, by the presence of love and longing.

It’s a strange awareness. I have known it many times before but am never quite able to understand it. At the same moment, I feel both hunger and satisfaction, both wanting and fullness, desire and the presence of what is desired.

I hunger, yet am filled. I am filled, but I want more.

Is this what it is to know you, Loving Mystery? To hunger for you who are always more than I can hold or know, even while holding within the mystery of a love that reaches out from the bottom of my soul to the uttermost regions of the reality that I know I can never possess?

Words break down here. At least mine do. I am pleased I can describe even this much, this little.

Let my amazement and confusion be my morning praise of you who dwell within and ever beyond me.

For you are the longing and the fullness. You are both. And this life of mine is caught up in you, so that hunger and fullness, longing and love will mark my days. And on my very best days I will know it and thank you for it.

Thank you for this day, this open space in which you can reveal to me the mystery of my life and of your love. I know I will never be satisfied, but fill me as best I can be filled with the wonder of your life.

Pr. David L. Miller

Monday, October 27, 2008

Monday, October 27, 2008

Today’s text

Matthew 5:1-5

Seeing the crowds, [Jesus] went onto the mountain. And when he was seated his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them: How blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Blessed are the gentle: they shall have the earth as inheritance. Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.

Reflection


Blessed are we, indeed, my Lord, when we live with lowly spirits, not filled with arrogance or presumption.

Blessed are we, for then our eyes shall see all that is and all we are as holy gift from the One who freely fills our lungs with the breath of life.

Then our hearts will dwell in joy in continual awareness of the gift of life.

Then our lips will give thanks for each small joy of the day.

Then our souls bask in the constant loving nearness of the One who makes the sun to shine on just and unjust alike.

Then our fingers will not count what we have and compare it to that of others, as if life consists in having, not loving.

Then our hands shall use all that we have as tools to tend your world with care--and to be given over to others when we are done.

Then our minds shall be convinced that life and joy rests in knowing you, the great giver and lover of all you have made, of all life, of our lives.

Then our anxious egos shall fly from the urge to defend themselves from assaults to our dignity, as if our tiny selves were isolated fortresses in a hostile land.

Then we shall make our home in the environment of your grace, where your kindness is known and ever near.

Blessed are we, my great and gracious Friend, when we live with lowly spirits, for then our hearts are ready to receive every gift of love.

Pr. David L. Miller