tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69867200295156810752024-03-18T17:33:01.802-04:00People's PrayersPrayers Composed by Request or InspirationChristina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.comBlogger931125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-88658840221592863632024-03-18T16:20:00.002-04:002024-03-18T17:30:52.464-04:00Prayers of the People: From an End to a New Beginning, Palm and Passion Sunday, 6th Sunday in Lent '24 Yr B<div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Times, serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;">For
Sunday, March 24, 2024, Readings: Liturgy of the Palms: Psalm 118:1-3,
19-29; Mark 1:1-11; Liturgy of the Word: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16,
Philippians 2:5-11; </span></span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Times, serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;">The Passion according to </span></span></i></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Times, serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;">Mark 14:1-15:47</span></span></i></b></div></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_NTOIajUI3VHCoBvcJyn4U78PgKmj43CtIRCfPeJN2bTwpzbXqgK8gSqplebmjB3mKTwpfD9MG2lCux9jT0asVo5juYPj1l9kyVRsmkwvf5sH2eOT0-oNrq73KSVHXw7mTnrPh4EkGDbk0l3npcQLV3BTXxuGc8OEci9IiXCAgR7iwHHNldLNhZehQQY/s1070/6%20Lent%20Palm%20Passion%20Sunday%20'24%20Yr%20B.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1070" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_NTOIajUI3VHCoBvcJyn4U78PgKmj43CtIRCfPeJN2bTwpzbXqgK8gSqplebmjB3mKTwpfD9MG2lCux9jT0asVo5juYPj1l9kyVRsmkwvf5sH2eOT0-oNrq73KSVHXw7mTnrPh4EkGDbk0l3npcQLV3BTXxuGc8OEci9IiXCAgR7iwHHNldLNhZehQQY/w337-h282/6%20Lent%20Palm%20Passion%20Sunday%20'24%20Yr%20B.png" width="337" /></a></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><b><i><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> Then those who went
ahead and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one
who comes in the name of the Lord!" </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Mark
11:9]</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></i></b><span style="color: #783f04;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Who
will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let
them confront me. </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Isaiah 50:8]</span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></i></b><span style="color: #274e13;"><b><i>But as for me, I have trusted in you, O
LORD, I have said, "You are my God, my times are in your
hand... </i></b><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Psalm
31:14-15a]</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Let the same mind be in you that was in
Christ Jesus...and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father. </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Philippians 2:5, 11]</span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><i><span style="color: #7f6000;"> Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, The
one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." So
when [Jesus] came [the betrayer] went up to him and said, "Rabbi!"
and kissed him. </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Mark
14:44-45]</span></span></b></p>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b><i> </i></b><b><i>[Peter] began to curse, and he swore an
oath, "I do not know this man you are talking about." At that moment
the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said
to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times."
And he broke down and wept. </i></b><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Mark 14:71-72]</span></b></span></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #010b62; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright", serif;">The
Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright", serif; text-align: left;"> </span></span></i></p>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597; font-family: "Lucida Bright", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> What a day it was! The palms, the cloaks, and branches on the
road with cheering and exuberance for this Jesus, heralded as a prophet and a
known miracle worker, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey (a donkey was
symbol of peace, a warrior king would have ridden a horse). It was all being
carefully watched by the Roman occupiers and the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Council
who had its own police force and trial court. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597; font-family: "Lucida Bright", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Just as suddenly as the air fills with joyous gusto, the week
turns deadly and <u>the</u> <u>same</u> <u>crowd’s</u> <i>Hosannas </i>turn
to shouts of <i>Crucify him!</i> And this is the Sunday we revisit,
re-enact, and relive it all through the appointed readings.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597; font-family: "Lucida Bright", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Decades ago the celebration of <i>Palm Sunday</i> and the commemoration
of <i>Passion Sunday</i> were two separate successive Sundays. These
were later combined into the one-Sunday, two-part Liturgy we have now. At first
thought it seems a shame to shortcut the two experiences and yet, I think, it
can truly heighten the experience of both parts ~ if we let it. It highlights
the stunning speed at which any and many of us can be manipulated into changing
what we think we believe, and by virtue of <u>who</u> is telling us, we can be
artfully redirected to know that we want to believe whatever he/she/they are saying. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Lucida Bright", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Yet,
whether we are attending church in person this Sunday, or watching online, how
much of the combined readings do we really <u>hear</u>, <u>feel</u>, or <u>think</u>
<u>about</u> later in the day, or the week? We’ve heard them all before, or at
least we know the story. The readings are long, even if acted out more than
simply read. Where am <i>I</i> in this? Am I listening, or watching
the clock, warming the coffee or tea in the microwave, answering texts, or
thinking about the grocery list for Easter baskets and Easter Dinner and peeps,
jelly beans, and chocolate bunnies? </span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Lucida Bright", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Am I
willing to look at the world as it is <u>now</u>, with how many examples of
crowd-manipulating, politically- and religiously- , sexually-, ethnically-, racially-,
and gender- motivated-murders take place <i>every day</i> in my
country and around the world? Am I willing to wonder what it is that I could
possibly do about it now? Or, at the very least, am I even considering who and
what Jesus is to me? </span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Lucida Bright", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> When my younger
grand-daughter was 4, she loved singing a little happy-clappy ditty she learned
in Vacation Bible School, "I am following Jesus" and her volume
increased exponentially ~ as she also learned ~ with the line <i>he
changed my life forever. </i>So, wise and self-proclaimed Christian
grandmother that I think I am, the hard question for myself, again, is how
am <i>I</i> following Jesus? Has he changed <i>my</i> life
forever, or, more to the point, have I<i> let</i> him? When
have <i>I</i> betrayed and deserted him ~ or if that's too hard for
me to willingly acknowledge ~ when have I <i>ignored</i> him?
Yes, it’s Palm AND Passion today, and it's here all week! And, it's here every
day of every year that I choose to profess my faith in all that I think and do
~ often uncomfortably and unpopular in places, but oh so <i>redeeming</i>. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Lucida Bright", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Anticipating the
Gospel events as they arise this week, I resolve to start over, re-read the
lessons, pray with them, and seek the courage and confidence to live into
and <i>confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God </i>[Phillipians
2:11]<i>. </i>It is time for me to look at each day in this Holy Week,
again, as if for the first time, as a sincere period of reflection, penance,
and re-commitment. There's no Easter without Good Friday, and when I am
following Jesus ~ the real Jesus ~ my life does change, and the <i>rising </i>joy
is palpable. Holy Week takes us from an end to a new beginning in, of, and
through Jesus, as Christ takes us forward into Forever.</span></span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"> <br />
</span><b><span style="color: #333333;">Leader: </span></b><span style="color: #333333;">~ Jesus, Light of God, today
we begin with Hallelujah and Hosanna and end with Heartbreak and
Hostility. How quickly the crowds turn, prodded by intentional distortion
of truth, political manipulation, and betrayal. Grant us the courage to listen
deeply, to walk the path to Your coming death as if for the first time, to
stand with You through it all now, and to never deny that You are our Messiah,
our Lord.<br />
<br />
Hosanna! Messiah!
<br />
<b> RESPONSE: Into Your hands we commit our
souls<br />
</b> <br />
~ Jesus, Light of God, embolden us to earnestly engage the leaders of this
World, this Country, and this Community, to confront and eliminate the fear
mongering, treachery, and racism, and all
-<i>isms</i> that lead to cruel deaths like Yours. We pray
especially for: <i>add your own petitions</i><br />
<br />
Hosanna! Messiah!<br />
<b>Into
Your hands we commit our souls<br />
</b> <br />
~ Jesus, Light of God, enfold with Your loving arms all who are ill,
desperate, or hopeless, and all who worry and care for them. We now
join our hearts to pray for those in need… <i>add your own petitions</i><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><i><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></i><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">
Hosanna! Messiah!<br />
<b>Into
Your hands we commit our souls<br />
</b> <br />
~ Jesus, Light of God, You came to lead us all into the glory of
eternal life through Your gift of Salvation. We rejoice in knowing that those
we mourn are alive again with You, in everlasting peace. We pray especially
for: <i>add your own petitions</i><br />
<br />
Hosanna! Messiah!<br />
<b>Into
Your hands we commit our souls<br />
</b> <br />
~ Jesus, Light of God, we <i>pause</i> in this moment to
offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and
memorials… <i>add your own petitions</i><br />
<br />
Hosanna! Messiah!<br />
<b>Into
Your hands we commit our souls<br />
</b> <br />
~ Jesus, Light of God, as we begin this sacred week, endow our
spiritual leaders with extraordinary grace, that we may all be drawn
together, to be opened and accept the same mind in us that was in You, and live
always aware of Your continuous life-changing embrace. We pray especially
for: <i>add your own petitions</i><br />
<br />
Hosanna! Messiah!<br />
<b>Into
Your hands we commit our souls<br />
</b> <br />
<b>The Celebrant adds:</b> O God of Enduring Mercy, guide our
experience this day and through the fullness of the week to come. Grant us
awareness of the times when we, too, have deserted and betrayed Jesus by
turning first to the ways of this world. Guide us in the willingness to confess
through our thoughts, words, and actions, that Jesus Christ IS Lord, to the
Glory of You, our God. We ask this through our Savior Christ, Your Holy and
Sanctified Son; and the Most Holy Spirit, Your Breath and Wisdom within us; who
live and reign with You, One God, now and forever.<b> Amen.</b> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><b><i><div><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </i>Leeosophy@gmail.com
</b></span><div><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-32404031082273253152024-03-18T14:36:00.003-04:002024-03-18T17:27:44.845-04:00Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 29: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>March 18, 2024 ~ 6<sup>th</sup> Monday in Lent </b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgSR8oG_fH0Tn8GZn9rU9DAM5C0ik-za06jBQfSPeg0MxR4Q2lqB0IzRIkdHBOYFyfyCx6QFmheXLkBN5JBFUlItpkFqt2JiQavdA6WIJWDIOoly5lct8aPH_1AVt0foQ9eKah0MlIv00B4lGSP6r6STnbq6cTwLemVCLrZLPq0ROdaMmnG_0LtICNyar/s1400/5th%20Tuesday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2030%20'23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgSR8oG_fH0Tn8GZn9rU9DAM5C0ik-za06jBQfSPeg0MxR4Q2lqB0IzRIkdHBOYFyfyCx6QFmheXLkBN5JBFUlItpkFqt2JiQavdA6WIJWDIOoly5lct8aPH_1AVt0foQ9eKah0MlIv00B4lGSP6r6STnbq6cTwLemVCLrZLPq0ROdaMmnG_0LtICNyar/w426-h363/5th%20Tuesday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2030%20'23.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><strong><i><span style="color: #65290b; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">[A] personal God can become a grave liability…a mere idol
carved in our own image, a projection of our limited needs, fears and desires.
We can assume that [God] loves what we love and hates what we hate, endorsing
our prejudices instead of compelling us to transcend them.</span></span></i></strong></div><div style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #65290b; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><span style="color: #65290b; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="color: #2e75b6; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #84350e;">~ Karen Armstrong</span></b><b><span style="color: red;">*</span></b></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #084f6a; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> In an “</span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><em><b><span style="color: #084f6a; font-family: Georgia, serif;">us</span></b></em><b><span style="color: #084f6a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #084F6A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent4; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 128;"> and </span></b><em><b><span style="color: #084f6a; font-family: Georgia, serif;">them”</span></b></em><b><span style="color: #084f6a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #084F6A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent4; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 128;"> world, where do
we place “God” as <i>maker of heaven and earth, of all</i> <i>that is, seen and
unseen</i></span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia",serif;">**</span></b><b><i><span style="color: #084f6a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #084F6A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent4; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 128;">, </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #084f6a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #084F6A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent4; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 128;">in<i> </i>the image
of<i> God </i>that we have been given? </span></b><b><span style="color: #084f6a; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Is it that there is only one <em>side </em>that God is on? Is it always <i>our</i> side
or <i>their </i>side? At what age do we start thinking about what image of God
we’re holding, praying to, wondering about? How difficult is it really to let
go of any humanized vision of our Creator? Is God in the sun and moon and
stars, the breeze that becomes wind that becomes as tornado, rain that becomes
a flood or a hurricane? Who, What, and How does “God” look like in your mind’s
eye?</span></b></span></div>
<strong style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #66304b; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><strong style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #66304b; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></strong></p><div style="text-align: left;"><strong style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Dear God,</span></strong></div></span></span></strong><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong style="color: #66304b; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Of course you're
on </strong><em style="color: #66304b; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: bold;"><b>our</b></em><strong style="color: #66304b; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong><strong style="color: #66304b; font-family: Georgia, serif;">side ~ don't <i>we</i> always kneel on the
field and pray to You before the game to help our team win? Aren't <i>we</i>
the correct color, political party, gender, sexual orientation, and citizen of
the best country? </strong></span></div><span style="color: #66304b; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: left;"><strong> For today, I
will </strong><em><b>give up</b></em><strong> trying to have You act on </strong><em><b>my</b></em><strong> will. I will </strong><em style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><b><u>take on</u></b></em><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong><strong>looking more closely for ways to try to discern <i>Your </i>will.
At the very least, I will think more deeply about the teachings of Jesus to
love You with all we have and to love others as ourselves ~ to love</strong><em><b> them</b></em><strong> as if they were </strong><b><i>us </i></b></div><b><div style="text-align: left;"><b>because <i>they</i> and <i>us </i>were ALL
created by You<strong>. I will </strong><em>pray</em><strong> for the will and the courage to walk this walk for as long as
I am given and think differently about what image I serve. amen.</strong></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><strong><br /></strong></b></div></b></span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "CG Times", serif;">*</span></b><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "CG Times", serif;">Karen Armstrong [1944 - ] is a British commentator and
renowned author of a multitude of books on quite a breadth and depth
of comparative religion studies. A former Roman Catholic nun,
she has given us such books as <em>A History of God: A 4,000 Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam; Through the Narrow Gate; </em>and<em> Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths.</em> Her
work centers around the commonalities across major religions and, in
particular, the importance of the Golden Rule, which spans multiple faith
traditions and Compassion. Her work, research, and authorship has
garnered her ~ among many other awards - the $100,000 TED prize in 2008
with which she started the Charter for Compassion: "A document
that transcends religious, ideological, and national differences. A cooperative
effort to restore compassionate thinking and action to the center of
life." Individuals, groups, and even countries can sign and participate in
this most human quest to develop humanity to its highest ideal. <a href="http://charterforcompassion.org/"><span style="color: #002060;">http://charterforcompassion.org/</span></a></span></b></span></b></div><p></p>
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, serif;">**</span></b><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #275317; font-family: "Goudy Type";">From <i>The Nicene Creed: </i> <a href="https://www.bcponline.org/"><span style="color: #00007f;">https://www.bcponline.org/</span></a></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><b><i><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: medium;"><div><b><i><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com
</span></i></b><br /><br /><div><br /></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-34651636201925071312024-03-16T11:47:00.027-04:002024-03-18T17:32:27.616-04:00Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 28: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">March
16, 2024 ~ 6<sup>th</sup> Saturday in Lent</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Every War Has
Passionate Reasons on All Sides</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And Passionate Supporters
and Detractors</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Taking Sides Requires
Full Knowledge of ALL Reasons, And</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In-Depth
Self-Examination as to Why One Cause is Chosen Over Another</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: "Lucida Bright",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And Every War has <i>Innocents</i>
On All Sides Caught in the Middle</span></div></div></div><span><b><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_4j3aAa38iiq4t32uYCZxOhDyRKV7zfcZiP0Cs9DflbqQm3G5NQJP0krWteSYSf8K9rlmDBZHE8JodEr_o6RhuUXBF4H-iIqzp7pvdtspWNpGADFWNsx_xVWc3gUDghP3HVS5GEW55bVpa840HWt4LC2rIHFw3gGIcmYmUFp49fy5cBON-ccu7xSnndJ/s686/5th%20Saturday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2028%20%20'23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="686" height="685" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_4j3aAa38iiq4t32uYCZxOhDyRKV7zfcZiP0Cs9DflbqQm3G5NQJP0krWteSYSf8K9rlmDBZHE8JodEr_o6RhuUXBF4H-iIqzp7pvdtspWNpGADFWNsx_xVWc3gUDghP3HVS5GEW55bVpa840HWt4LC2rIHFw3gGIcmYmUFp49fy5cBON-ccu7xSnndJ/w576-h685/5th%20Saturday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2028%20%20'23.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #7f6000;">"Racism,
prejudice and discrimination still exist in the world, and the Jews have
endured the longest continuous manifestation of this racism. I have
written that we, as Palestinians, should face Israel candidly and say that we
are appalled by the Holocaust, that we should open our hearts "and with a
new, magnanimous attitude we should say to the Jews, 'We will accept you and
share the land with you. You have suffered for so long. Come share our land.
This is God's land. We will live in it together as brothers and
sisters.'" </span></span><span style="color: #215f9a; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="color: #215f9a; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: italic;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">~ Naim Stifan Ateek</span></b><b style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: red;">*</span></b><b style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #2e75b6;"> </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #2e75b6;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #215f9a;"> </span><span style="color: #215f9a;"> </span><span style="color: #215f9a;">After the discoveries and then acknowledgement of the
horrors of the Nazi Holocaust, in which the Jewish people were the largest but not the only targets, a homeland for the Jews was understandably and
sympathetically promoted for Palestine as "A Land Without People for
People Without A Land," because this desert land would obviously be mostly uninhabited. But the significant fly in the ointment of the great
repatriation was there were <u>many</u> people already there for thousands of years: a few Jewish people and
also many non-Jewish people ~ Muslims, Christians, and people of a variety of beliefs, cultures, and traditions. </span></b><b><span style="color: #215f9a;">But if you’d never been there, it seemed more
than reasonable through the publicity campaign that a “deserted” piece of land
would be mostly uninhabited and ready for <i>Settlement</i>.</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #215f9a;"> The
debates, the wars, the persecutions, the walls, the barbed wire fences, the
guns, the bombs, the bloodshed continue and escalate on a daily basis...and
yet, a question always remains: to whom does the land of the Earth really belong? </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #215f9a;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> We
cannot take the land with us when we die but so many are willing to die ~
or to kill ~ to prove it. While this is one example, think Ukraine,
Crimea, "Yugoslavia," Turkey and Greece, Russia and China and Mongolia, Asia, the
South Pacific and Caribbean Islands, North/Central and South America, Africa, etc., and
everywhere the suppression of Indigenous Peoples occurs. Religion isn't the primary force as it's more like race, ethnicity, gender identity, and intentionally false propaganda, etc. Its true purpose is more likely and simply that it's a useful ruse. </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #215f9a;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> The really bad news is that this distorted "hatred" isn't limited to full scale war between or among two or more countries. It happens among a few people that are so dogmatic and doctrinally committed that criminalizing, imprisoning, and even killing others becomes acceptable among otherwise ordinary, "very nice people" who have been taught to disapprove of people of color, people with differences of sexual orientation and gender identity, even those with disabilities, and just because someone who has human power over them and proclaims some "divine" authority tells them it must be done.</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #215f9a;"> R</span></b><b><span style="color: #215f9a;">eligion is not <i>the</i> reason, but it can be a useful excuse to exercise
power, and, all-too-often to feel better when others engage in <i>ethnic </i>and<i> other human cleansing</i> aka: murder, for <i>God and Country.</i></span></b></span></div></div></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #26014a; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>God of Heaven and of Earth, and of all the Universes known
and unknown:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="color: #26014a; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>
We grieve for the pain and suffering, the torment and anger on all sides
of this and every other feud over who can, must, should, shouldn't, can't
live here or there, do this or do that because... Deep as the core of this earth, the anguish
belongs to everyone. We are all Your people: Jews,
Christians, and Muslims are ALL Children of Abraham, and the vast millions of others whose beliefs about You are different. But
You created EVERY ONE of us ~ please, we implore, we beseech, we beg You ~
show Your care for Your children everywhere and help us all learn to care for
each other and to live together in peace, safety, and freedom. Open our
eyes, our hearts, and our souls to see ourselves in each other's
faces and especially in the faces of all of our children. </b><br />
<b>For today I must <u>give up</u> thinking
more about fixing blame and <u>take on</u> learning more about
the history of all sides of a conflict whether in the Middle East, Eastern
Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, Central America, and the entire world which,
of course, includes my own country, my city, and even my family. I <u>pray</u> for
the courage to support and participate with those who abhor violence in all
forms and who will encourage dialogue to promote understanding among us
all. Help us especially with the eternal question: Who really
are my neighbors, as Jesus specifically says we are to love as our
selves?</b> <b>I entreat You through the Saving Love of Jesus the
Christ, and the Wisdom of Your Holy Spirit, who live and reign with You as one, the Creator of ALL, for now, for tomorrow, for eternity.
amen.</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #26014a;"><br /></span>
</span><span color="windowtext" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><br />
<br />
</span><b style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">*</span></span><span style="color: #1c3b11;"><span style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: large;">The Rev Dr Naim Ateek is a Palestinian priest in
the Anglican Church and founder of Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center
in Jerusalem. A former Canon of St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem, Dr.
Ateek is a much sought after lecturer at home and abroad and receives
support across all denominations and faith traditions including those of the
Jewish faith. Educated at Hardin-Simmons University, Baptist University
in Abilene, Texas; and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, a seminary in
the US Episcopal Church in Berkeley, California, Dr. Ateek is a well-respected author of a number of books and articles on Palestinian
Liberation Theology, and he has been the recipient of many honors and awards
for his work.</span></span></b><span style="color: #1c3b11; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #224814; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><i style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com
</i></b></span><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-23966538933158676412024-03-15T09:37:00.001-04:002024-03-15T09:37:48.363-04:00Meditation Moment in Lent, Day 27: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<div><b style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">March 15, 2024 ~ 6<sup>th</sup> Friday in Lent</span></i></b></div><b><div>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgojfo84btJh_a-CPQX4DOeDIveYYT1HpSVKxi94V0jns4_vBrxms4axd1HsF4H6VKBFsL5YMb2tjYE5tUW6C-T_ZlApZCI04p9RjLc4iY_E3Iqa8AGmj91Y89qgEwaR2ES-LWsj1syMA-1XUmSv3gPL2xOodaY2zfdO9vV4Nabh7EsxwA6jRL5StfyhCQu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgojfo84btJh_a-CPQX4DOeDIveYYT1HpSVKxi94V0jns4_vBrxms4axd1HsF4H6VKBFsL5YMb2tjYE5tUW6C-T_ZlApZCI04p9RjLc4iY_E3Iqa8AGmj91Y89qgEwaR2ES-LWsj1syMA-1XUmSv3gPL2xOodaY2zfdO9vV4Nabh7EsxwA6jRL5StfyhCQu=w436-h277" width="436" /></a></div><p></p>
<div style="background: white; color: #351c75; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">― Anthony de Mello</span></b><b><span style="color: red;">*</span></b></span><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span></b></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #2f5597;"><i style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">
</span></i><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">If you knew that this would be the very last time we would speak to each other,
would our conversation be different? We have those moments every day with
store clerks, shoppers, people on elevators, those we sit next to in church, at
a concert, or sporting event. And then there are our families and friends. What
feelings, thoughts, awareness arise if you realize we all are dying. A
shocking thought! But it’s true. Some sooner, some later. Some at length and
painfully, and some quite suddenly. Some will have a comfortably long life and
quietly and peacefully just go. Most of us take daily living for
granted and yet none of us know the time or the hour </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #2f5597;">[Matthew
25:13]</span></b><b style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #2f5597;">. So let us all LIVE while we can with <u>all</u> that
life brings and, yes, even all it takes away. Let us turn our eyes to the
Creation that our Creator surrounds us with and look for joy in all the life
within it, accepting those moments when joy must await our return, as return to
it we will and we must. Let us <u>live</u> for those we’ve loved and who have
loved us and who can no longer be in this life, yet from the next they want and
will us to go on as they walk with us in heart and memory. Embrace LIFE!</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Dear
Lord of Life:</b><br />
<b> You have given each of us this precious gift of the
breath of life; what are we doing with it? Is it wasted on the young, regretted
by the old, dismissed by those in-between who are too busy to recognize it for
what it is? For today, I will <u>give up</u> taking
breathing and life for granted and <u>take on</u> the
understanding and compassion that even if the next breath isn't my last it
will be for someone. I'll <u>pray</u> for the fullness of
breath that inhales Your love, patience, and understanding and with each exhale
to disperse anger, frustration, and bitterness. Today may be the last chance
we'll have in this life and any days beyond it will truly be a blessing to be
used well. Help us to not waste it by being oblivious to all that we have been
given and being thoughtless about the needs of others. Help to make each
conscious breath a way to inhale calm and exhale any chronic crankiness. Most
especially, may each time we awaken to a new day we simply think or murmur Thank
You, Lord, so we are not forgetting to remember You. amen.</b><b> </b> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic;"><br />
</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 18pt; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: red;">*</span></i><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><b>Anthony
de Mello [1931-1987], </b><b>was a Jesuit priest from India and a psychotherapist who wrote a
number of books and made videos on spirituality with an eastern flavor. His
first published book Sadhana: A Way to God contained spiritual
exercises influenced by Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Long after his sudden death,
then Cardinal-Prefect Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI, convened a commission
to study de Mello's work and seemed to find some of his writings and lectures
theologically problematic. There was a temporary ban on them for Roman
Catholics which has since been lifted. Millions of Catholics and non-Catholics
alike, however, have found great wisdom and transformational thought in de
Mello's writings, many more of which were published posthumously.</b> </span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: italic;">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "Goudy Type";"> </span></p></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><i style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com
</i></b><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-22543977444517702422024-03-14T12:01:00.001-04:002024-03-14T12:01:30.560-04:00Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 26: Give Up, Take On, Pray ‘24 <div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><b>March
14, 2024 ~ 6<sup>th</sup> Thursday in Lent</b><b> </b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CD2BXW4DNgZce24TMO2JxbQm2WGBXu6AlsMo_Kb9W_ffNcxaXJPZGso9c1XYBNTjvOZaD7MQAXsnt7SuQ-ygdE-3ydixtABBiqWbbJSSFJjDkwTLUetRBIHREDAiSiIxfacQv98cHrVKtvLMl26MMTA45rLcdvNxmI3-qVgGlZ3fiEREVQq_J9wj170l/s1024/6th%20Thursday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2026%20%20'24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="1024" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CD2BXW4DNgZce24TMO2JxbQm2WGBXu6AlsMo_Kb9W_ffNcxaXJPZGso9c1XYBNTjvOZaD7MQAXsnt7SuQ-ygdE-3ydixtABBiqWbbJSSFJjDkwTLUetRBIHREDAiSiIxfacQv98cHrVKtvLMl26MMTA45rLcdvNxmI3-qVgGlZ3fiEREVQq_J9wj170l/w425-h236/6th%20Thursday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2026%20%20'24.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: large;"><b>Dietrich Bonhoeffer<span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #215f9a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215F9A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=75000 lumo=25000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 191;"> Dietrich
Bonhoeffer’s date on the U.S. Episcopal Calendar is April 9, but I've brought him here today because his voice is an important one, especially in our today world. He rises regularly in my consciousness
with the strong desire to re-read his writings. Bonhoeffer has long inspired me
through his writing and especially through a biography by American Charles
Marsh entitled <i>Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer,</i> that
showed the young and privileged arrogance of a brilliant mind grow into a
passionate and compassionate theologian for all of humanity; and, the spiritual
torture of deciding to join the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #215f9a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215F9A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=75000 lumo=25000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 191;"> He
wrote with a particular passion about living in each day seeking and listening for the spiritual
messages that we often simply miss: <i>We must be ready to allow ourselves
to be interrupted by God.</i> As for all the earth-bound material we chase
after, he said, <i>The way to misuse our possessions is to use them
as an insurance against the morrow. Anxiety is always directed to the morrow,
whereas goods are in the strictest sense meant to be used only for to-day.</i></span></b><span style="color: #215f9a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215F9A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=75000 lumo=25000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 191;"> <b>He also reminds us of another critical lesson that</b> <b><i>time is the most valuable thing we have,</i> and we only have NOW. What will
I do with my time today....what will you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Holy
God of Yesterday, Today, and (maybe) Tomorrow,<br />
The manna You give me today will not last
until tomorrow so <i>interrupt</i> and cajole me not to waste it or fritter it away or misuse
it. For today I will <em><u>give up</u></em> the
worry about what might come tomorrow. I will <em><u>take on</u></em> seeing to the
necessary business of this day, but more importantly, letting those I care about
KNOW, specifically, deliberately, intentionally, definitively, that I
care. I will <em><u>pray</u></em> that
we will each be part of each other's lives for much longer and for the gift of
grace to let God, again, interrupt my plans and help me to understand, as Dietrich
Bonhoeffer said also, “There is meaning in every journey that is unknown
to the traveler.” <em>amen.</em></span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span color="windowtext" face=""Aptos",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
</span><span color="windowtext" face=""Aptos",sans-serif" style="font-size: 4pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
</span><b><span face=""Aptos",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;">*</span><span style="color: #333f50; font-family: "Goudy Type"; font-size: 13pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Dietrich
Bonhoeffer [1906-1945], theologian, Lutheran pastor, dissident anti-Nazi.
His book <em>The Cost of Discipleship</em> is
considered a modern classic. Polish by birth, he studied at the
University of Tubingen and received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees and his
Doctor of Theology at the University of Berlin. He completed a
second doctorate - all before the age of 25. He did post graduate study at
Union Theological Seminary in New York and was introduced to and was
profoundly inspired by the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. His
teachings and writings continue to inspire generations after his death.
With great angst but complete abhorrence of the Nazi dictatorship
and violence, he was involved with the German Military Intelligence
Office's plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. He was arrested by the Gestapo
in 1943 and executed on April 9, 1945, 23 days before the German surrender. His
"time is the most valuable thing we have..." comes from his <em>Letters and Papers from Prison</em>.
He never justified or excused his action but accepted that he was taking
guilt upon himself as he wrote "when a man takes guilt upon himself in
responsibility, he imputes his guilt to himself and no one else. He answers for
it...Before other men he is justified by dire necessity; before himself he is
acquitted by his conscience, but before God he hopes only for grace."
There is so much more that can be said about Dietrich Bonhoeffer and all in his
own words.</span></b><span color="windowtext" face=""Aptos",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
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<!--[endif]--></span></span></div></div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </i>Leeosophy@gmail.com
</span></b><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-37957047750416610282024-03-13T10:26:00.000-04:002024-03-13T10:26:05.758-04:00Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 25: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Type"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">March
13, 2024 ~ 6<sup>th</sup> Wednesday in Lent</span></b></p></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibfEeduvUzGPo6Q2P1NsaVsZimzn5MUOGshxbFQuiFrVxXRC3_iYqWi_WFFqMMxwOpWtq6CbcLlbiqjKIsFgagrYUA8qkOKi5EuDIWXu0uWrI_19mLhOChNvRbmiWajQluSnZ-0f8ztIRV3MNZa4RtLFeKaKyEwzGnC0arHnZiy_zalBpkf4z0dVt43IAf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="526" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibfEeduvUzGPo6Q2P1NsaVsZimzn5MUOGshxbFQuiFrVxXRC3_iYqWi_WFFqMMxwOpWtq6CbcLlbiqjKIsFgagrYUA8qkOKi5EuDIWXu0uWrI_19mLhOChNvRbmiWajQluSnZ-0f8ztIRV3MNZa4RtLFeKaKyEwzGnC0arHnZiy_zalBpkf4z0dVt43IAf=w401-h253" width="401" /></a></div><br /><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Holding on to anger is
like drinking poison </span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333;">and expecting the
other person to die. </span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Holding on to anger is
like holding hot coals </span></span></i></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">you intend to throw at someone </span></span></i></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">but you're the one who
gets burned.</span></span></i></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">Anger
is an acid that does more harm </span></i></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;"><b><i>to the vessel </i></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333;">in which it is
stored </span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: medium;">than to anything on which
it is poured.</span></span></i></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Goudy Type";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #990000;"> </span><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">All of
the above quotes, in a variety of similar iterations, have variously been
attributed to The Buddha, Mark Twain, Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca, 12-Step
programming, and any number of contemporary authors. It is often difficult to
pin down the actual origin of almost epigrammatic expressions especially when
widely quoted. Nonetheless, whoever said them first, the consensus of the above
is that anger is more dangerous to oneself than to others. Anger that escalates
to rage and/or combines with desperation, however, can certainly be dangerous for
everyone around.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: large;"> But not all anger is bad or dangerous ~ it's quite
appropriate and justified, when it's directed at or a result of personal loss,
instances of gross injustice, discrimination, economic hardship, and so on. It
is how we <i>use</i> our anger, how we <i>respond</i> that
makes the difference between poisoning ourselves and resolving an
issue. Thoughtful response rather than impulsive reaction? Some days are
better than others. How can I pull back when pushed over an edge? Counting to
10? Deep breathing? </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: large;"> So much depends on when and how the anger surfaces
and who is pushing my buttons and what else is going on within me that may be
completely unrelated. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: large;"> For one who is
constantly seething over things small and large, “itching for a fight”
consciously or otherwise, or keeping it all inside unexpressed with an
all-gracious exterior, seeking outside help, pastoral and/or professional is a
useful step in self-care.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: large;"> We all know that Jesus says to love our neighbors as we
love ourselves. If I’m spending much of my brief life raging at others,
even <i>just </i>inside, it says more about how I feel about <i>me</i> than
how I actually feel about her, him, and them. </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #24095f;"> Dear God,</span></b></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #24095f;">
There are days when I want You to be Your Old Testament
Self ~ smiting and plaguing, wrathful and condemning, thundering, destructive,
and vengeful, oh my! That gives me permission, sort of, to impose the eye for
eye/tooth for tooth thing as I plot my revenge against a perceived enemy.
But mostly, I want ~ and need ~ Your New Testament Self in the form of
Jesus who relieves my angst and anger, and shows me a quieter yet equally
satisfying path. For today, I'll <i><u>give up</u></i> attempting to
bend my part of the world to my will by shouted recrimination or internal rage.
I'll <i><u>take on</u></i> seeking more positive outlets to right
injustice, overcome discrimination, promote understanding, or get involved with
organizations that work to resolve large issues that affect us all. I'll also
work toward calming my inner upsets, examining the why and how of what
bothers me, and continuing my quest for the inner peace that will reflect
outwardly. I'll <i><u>pray</u></i> for the guidance and blessing of
the Holy Spirit, the support and friendship of a loving community of faith, and
the collective wisdom and love of family and close friends. Oh, and I'll keep
working on what I'm thinking about <i>those other drivers </i>when
I’m in the car. amen.</span></b><span style="color: #24095f;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </i>Leeosophy@gmail.com
</b></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-56254641021283713452024-03-12T07:53:00.000-04:002024-03-12T07:53:20.174-04:00Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 24: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Type";"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>March
12, 2024 ~ 5<sup>th</sup> Tuesday in Lent</i></span></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Type";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Goudy Type"; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciOrU74VCa50roKMrPkwg5NphInPrRvSx6K9khT49zQ9cdccGb1lAeu8q_CNElUXlnlvp7qjAFwbatwVTR_kHbeqFNXJgj9jrBKqfWASivwnsGRhSeg7rgMgglf73XJIbrVMfbMMvul0SrMx3WzD8vNkp9APiK-x78_sUzBjdr8Ij-RjUmzXPTX30QuW3/s2201/5th%20Tuesday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2024%20'24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2201" data-original-width="2200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciOrU74VCa50roKMrPkwg5NphInPrRvSx6K9khT49zQ9cdccGb1lAeu8q_CNElUXlnlvp7qjAFwbatwVTR_kHbeqFNXJgj9jrBKqfWASivwnsGRhSeg7rgMgglf73XJIbrVMfbMMvul0SrMx3WzD8vNkp9APiK-x78_sUzBjdr8Ij-RjUmzXPTX30QuW3/w358-h320/5th%20Tuesday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2024%20'24.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">The power of faith is the power of goodness and truth, </span></span></i></b></div><div style="background: white; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">which is
the power of God…</span></span></i></b></div><div style="background: white;"><b style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">The opposite of faith is therefore fatalism...</span></span></i></b><b style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">[that] finds
expression in statements like </span></span></i></b><b style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">'Nothing can be done about it.' and 'There is no
hope.' These are the statements </span></span></i></b><b style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000;">of people who do not really believe in the
power of God, </span></i></b><b style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000;">people </span></i></b><b style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000;">who do not really hope for what God has
promised. </span></i></b></div>
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Fondamento;"><b><span>~ </span></b><b><span>Albert Nolan, O.P.</span></b></span><b><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Fondamento;">*</span></span><span style="font-family: times, serif;"> </span></span></b></span></div><div style="background: white; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Goudy Type"; font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Faith....do I have
it? I think I do ~ I must, I go to church, I pray ~ but then there are
those moments when I am unsure of what God means to my life. There are times
when I am certain there is nothing I can do that will make any useful
difference in the world. I even struggle with hope as the world seems to be in
constant chaos and turmoil, twisting and turning in violence and calamity. I
question my faith often and I suppose I always will. And then what helps
is seeing that tiny mustard seed ~ is that really all I need? I think I
can muster that much in my way of <i>Faith</i>.</span></span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #50164a; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Jesus,<br />
In the Gospel of Matthew 17:20,You said that if I have faith as
small as a mustard seed I can move mountains. I feel that strength and
know I can move anything larger than myself on those "good days." On
those not so good days, sometimes it's all I can do to move myself. But when I
look at that tiny seed, I begin to approach hope. For today, I'll <i><u>give
up</u></i> pondering the details of what I'm sure I believe and what I'm
not so sure of. I'll <i><u>take on</u></i> walking through each day
with that mustard seed as a tangible sign of Your love and inspiration ~ from
its tiny beginnings to its full leafing of surprising height that produces more
seeds to give flavor and warmth to my life. I'll <i><u>pray</u></i> for
more hope and more confidence in my faith. In the meantime, I have faith in
that tiny seed's magic ~ within it there is the potential for tremendous
growth, just as there is within me when I feel my faith reaching for You. <i>amen.</i></span></span></b></div></div></div><b><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><span><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBvkWZF8yr8o3Kv_2sCy0Hgj2Ju_7-qyusc_oaTOip6Iqtn4KcKs6jFEYd4v4iEvm5QETUy-WB78GwaHtlC4k-x98KQYBqj0ESeX04I8bZ_fisOSTaVOTMN4lIJL-gLS67zPs99VuyM-diRm8GjqNlxdFbHaGwQAc5QoxbRdjm_P2V5wUqTysop40e-m_h" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="577" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBvkWZF8yr8o3Kv_2sCy0Hgj2Ju_7-qyusc_oaTOip6Iqtn4KcKs6jFEYd4v4iEvm5QETUy-WB78GwaHtlC4k-x98KQYBqj0ESeX04I8bZ_fisOSTaVOTMN4lIJL-gLS67zPs99VuyM-diRm8GjqNlxdFbHaGwQAc5QoxbRdjm_P2V5wUqTysop40e-m_h=w400-h255" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">A Full-Grown Israeli Mustard Tree</span></i></b></div></span></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><br /></div></b><b><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Fondamento;">*</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #283f19;">Albert Nolan, OP [</span><span style="color: #283f19;">1934-2022]</span><span style="color: #283f19;">, was born in Cape Town as a 4th generation South
African of English descent. </span><span style="color: #283f19;">With
inspiration from reading the works of Thomas Merton, he entered the Dominican
Order in 1954. He taught theology to and had been Vicar General of the
Dominicans in South Africa. The author of several books, his 1976, J<i>esus
Before Christianity,</i> is the most well-known and has been reissued
several times and as recently as 2001, its 25th Anniversary edition. In
it, Nolan discusses Jesus' radical struggle for the full humanity of the poor in
the time of first-century Palestine. Nolan writes that Jesus "challenged
the rich to identify in solidarity with the poor," a universal theme that
is persistently relevant across time and culture.</span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-style: italic;">All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Leeosophy@gmail.com
</span></span></b><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-81045487374274471612024-03-11T18:18:00.043-04:002024-03-11T18:50:29.050-04:00Prayers of the People: Cracking it Open ~ 5th Sunday in Lent '24 Yr B<div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">For Sunday, March 17, 2024, Year B, Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51:1-13, </span></span></i></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Hebrews
5:5-10, John 12:20-33</span></span></i></b></div></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="font-style: italic;"><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #783f04; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RDMdLqWM93ugCjyEnqudrzlI6J8J8EwIYHG9oZiXxFzNdcvXJwt-k8AgQo1PSQGXpjeg8Vs30v_vcm1JI8SUDQJKEVmlSwtG6OS6roMIhN7DAMKj70enUkmUxLxF0IGEH7iDF1ZmQFze3pVUSCFnKHUNLIRWs7TUvXfra5-k9rAhJaO0DlMcIC2ma2mz/s780/5%20Lent%20'24%20Yr%20B%20If%20Crack%20open%20the%20seed.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="780" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RDMdLqWM93ugCjyEnqudrzlI6J8J8EwIYHG9oZiXxFzNdcvXJwt-k8AgQo1PSQGXpjeg8Vs30v_vcm1JI8SUDQJKEVmlSwtG6OS6roMIhN7DAMKj70enUkmUxLxF0IGEH7iDF1ZmQFze3pVUSCFnKHUNLIRWs7TUvXfra5-k9rAhJaO0DlMcIC2ma2mz/w346-h291/5%20Lent%20'24%20Yr%20B%20If%20Crack%20open%20the%20seed.jpg" width="346" /></a></div><span style="color: #015102;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"> ...I will make a new covenant...I will put my
law within them, and I will write it on their hearts...I will forgive their
iniquity, and remember their sin no more.</span></span></span></i></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #015102;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Jeremiah
31:31,33b,34b]</span></b></span></span></div></b></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-weight: bold;"><b style="font-style: italic;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #013402;"> </span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: #7f6000;"><b style="font-style: italic;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Have mercy on me, O
God...in your great compassion...Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a
right spirit within me...Give me the joy of your saving help and sustain me
with your bountiful spirit.</span> </span></i></b><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Psalm 51:1, 11, 13]</span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: #792704; font-size: medium;">Although he was a Son, he learned
obedience through what he suffered...he became the source of eternal salvation
for all who obey him...<span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #792704; font-size: x-small;">[Hebrews 5:8a, 9b]</span></span></b></p>
<div style="background: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-style: italic;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></i></b><b style="font-style: italic;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> Very truly, I tell
you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a
single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.</span></i></b></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">[John 12:24] </span></span></b></span></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-weight: bold;"></p><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">From the
beginnings of Christian Liturgy until the late 1950s, the 5th Sunday in
Lent was known across many liturgical denominations as Passion Sunday and it
marked the beginning of a two-week </span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><em><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Passiontide.</span></b></em><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> The 6th Sunday was Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, with the
Passion cycle finishing with the Hallelujahs of Easter Day. There are a few traditionalists that
still follow that liturgical line but these days in our corner of
Episcopal/Anglican Land, the two weeks of <i>Passiontide</i> is no
longer observed in that way. The 6th Sunday in Lent is now the combined </span></b><em><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday</span></b></em><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597; font-family: Georgia, serif;">. </span></b></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></b></span><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> We who have been
Christian for a fair amount of time know what is coming, especially as parish
calendars are filled with the schedules of preparations and services for Holy
Week and Easter. Some will
enter the experience of the next weeks as a rote exercise of obligation
with a sense of the sacred a bit worn or dimmed. Some will skip a few or all of
the extra events in favor of laying all their spiritual eggs only in the joy of
Easter. But for me, in this 5th Sunday in Lent, it is time again that I consciously think more
about what it <u>all</u> means for me now and especially for <u>my</u> <i>eternal</i> </span></b></span><em><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597; font-family: Georgia, serif;">life.</span></b></em><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> How do I break out of my self-protecting
shell and be rooted again in Christ, growing, blossoming in Holy Ground? </span></b></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> This week, Jeremiah tells us that God plans a new covenant and <i>from the least of them to the greatest</i>, God says, <i>I will...remember their sins no more.</i> </span></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jesus tells his disciples about the grain of
wheat that must die in order to bear fruit. It is a cue for me to remember that
my life in this world is brief and shortening with every day that passes. It is
time for me to crack open the seed of wisdom and truth in the ground of my being,
to grow its fruit in my soul, and perhaps, along the Way, it may plant a few
seeds in others. </span></span></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Leader: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">~ O L<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">ord</span> our God, turn us from
our earthly wants and purge us from our sins. Strengthen our faith in and by
Your constant Presence that we may hear again, intentionally follow, and obey
Jesus the Christ, our Source of eternal salvation.</span></span></p>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
O God of
Compassion </span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">RESPONSE: Create in us
clean hearts</span></span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ O L<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">ord</span> our God, renew right spirits and write Your
Law and Covenant on the hearts and souls of all who have or take political
authority in this World, in this Nation, and in this Community, that their
actions will restore all Your people to justice, mercy, and peace. We pray
especially for: <i>add your own petitions</i></span></span></p>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
O God of Compassion</span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <b>Create
in us clean hearts</b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ O L<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">ord</span> our God, calm the fears and pain of all who
are afflicted by illness, turmoil, or doubt, and refresh the energy of all
who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in
need…<i>add your own petitions</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> O God of Compassion</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <b>Create in us clean hearts </b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ O L<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">ord</span> our God, we offer our praise and unending
gratitude for the joy and gladness of those we love, who now live again
forever, in Your glorious and bountiful Spirit. We pray especially
for: <i>add your own petitions</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> O God of Compassion</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <b>Create in us clean hearts </b></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">r other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…</span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">add your own petitions</i></span></p>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> O God of Compassion</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <b>Create in us clean hearts </b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ O L<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">ord</span> our God, grant special grace and blessings to
all who endeavor in Faith to live in and bring us Your Word and
Sacraments, that we all may know the reconciling love of Christ. We pray
especially for: <i>add your own petitions</i></span></span></p>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
O God of Compassion</span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <b>Create
in us clean hearts </b></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><span><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">The Celebrant adds:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> God
of Loving-Kindness, break us out of our self-protecting shells to die to
temporal distractions, that, rooted in the holy ground of Christ, our spiritual
fruitfulness may nourish the souls of ourselves and others, guiding us all into
eternal life. We ask through Jesus, our great High Priest; and the Holy Spirit,
our Sanctifier; who together with You, live, love, and reign as One God, now
and forever. <b>Amen.</b> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div></div><div style="background: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #2f5597;"><br /></span></b></span></div></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com
</span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-3430981425258616112024-03-11T10:26:00.000-04:002024-03-11T10:26:46.080-04:00Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 23: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<div><div style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>March 11, 2024 ~ 4<sup>th</sup>
Monday in Lent</i></span></b></span></div></div><div style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></div><div style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzb_wWMq9WuI1I7VVxm5faLcDL7MDEeZfnp23KzZI36TJ3pXuq3MS9iByY-5DYE5RQsoAVuGOsArESGVtGtLkUiNJWPbj3bmsJJwuT6stSiKdMKu-IazBUck7LFvSIPBuB55Q-HoPbObOky-LCnTBAZ5mVVdscTFyFq7qiDrT5yABvXB5NNoKAHTJmKTEF/s550/4th%20Monday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2023%20%20'24%20God%20names%20titles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="550" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzb_wWMq9WuI1I7VVxm5faLcDL7MDEeZfnp23KzZI36TJ3pXuq3MS9iByY-5DYE5RQsoAVuGOsArESGVtGtLkUiNJWPbj3bmsJJwuT6stSiKdMKu-IazBUck7LFvSIPBuB55Q-HoPbObOky-LCnTBAZ5mVVdscTFyFq7qiDrT5yABvXB5NNoKAHTJmKTEF/w407-h248/4th%20Monday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2023%20%20'24%20God%20names%20titles.jpg" width="407" /></a></div><br /></span></b><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #c55a11; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Just as how we
conceptualize God</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #c55a11; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> affects what we think the Christian life is
about,</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #c55a11; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">so do our images of God.</span></span></b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 4pt;"> </span></div>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento;"><b><span style="color: #843c0c; font-size: 14pt;">~ Marcus Borg</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 14pt;">*</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have
you ever thought about what image of God you have? We’ve all had lifelong
influences, some more unconscious than others. In your mind does "<i>he"</i> look
like the illustrations in Children's Bibles, or maybe a kindly white grandfather
with a beard by Michaelangelo, or a stern disciplinarian <i>father</i>? What about Jesus as
a white sun-tanned, blue eyed European whose long flowing locks shine with
expensive-looking highlights? How about a middle eastern semite ~ a darker-skinned
young Jewish man deeply tanned from the desert of Palestine? Does your mind see the
Holy Spirit as a white dove descending upside down or as non-burning tongues of
fire come first in your mind? </span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Of course
it's easier to relate to and feel comfortable with someone we can picture in
our minds, someone who looks like us or someone we know and like. Have you ever had the
experience of meeting up with a friend from childhood ~ you have
that old photo in your mind and suddenly you're confronted with the
reality of time passing. Perhaps it all works fine or perhaps the memory and the reality
are difficult to mesh together. </span></span></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Just as we watch children grow from newborns, to
toddlers, to older children, teens, young adults...and just as
we sometimes want to hold on to our images of them at a certain moment in
time, it's important for our relationships with them to grow and allow who they
become to deepen our bonds. It’s also important to understand that a Jewish
child, a Muslim child, an Asian-African-Palestinian-Caribbean-South American-Christian
child will likely </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, serif;">[and hopefully]</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> have imagined anthropomorphic images depicting the God of
Abraham as much like older versions of themselves.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Of course we don't have the luxury of knowing what God looks like ~ and if we did,
would it be <i>God</i>? But, we can look at how or if our early ideas
about our mind-image of God have or have not evolved as we’ve grown and how
that expresses the stagnation or the maturity of our faith. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Sr.
Sandra Schneiders, IHM, STD, Professor Emerita of New Testament Studies and
Christian Spirituality at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley has
said, <i>God is more than two men and a bird. </i></span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Has <i>your</i> Trinity
ever looked like <i>two men and a bird</i> in your mind's
eye? How does your current mind's image affect your prayer, your
relationship, your sense of who God is in <i>your</i> life?</span></b></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: #552579;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Dear God,<br />
I'm concerned that I might have
the wrong image of You in my mind. I want so much to capture the <i>right</i> picture
of You in my imaginings ~ all of You, the Trinity ~ God, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
so that I can feel that I'm relating to You correctly. And yet somehow
that doesn't seem quite right, either. Well then, for today
I'll <i><u>give up</u></i> trying to apply and accept someone else's
image of You. I'll <i><u>take on</u></i> thinking about how <u>I</u> am
made in <u>Your</u> <u>image</u> instead of You being made
in <i>my</i> image. I'll <i><u>pray</u></i> for the inner security and spiritual freedom to let You out of the box I try to
keep You in. And as I mature in my relationship with You, perhaps I will be
able to realize that all I need to do to know You in my mind and heart and
soul, is to look in the mirror and at all those I meet daily and all those I love
and have loved, then I will see the faces of My Trinity. amen.</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #552579;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></b><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><b style="color: #274e13;">Marcus Borg </b><b style="color: #274e13;">[</b><b style="color: #274e13;">1942-2015</b><b style="color: #274e13;">]</b><b style="color: #274e13;">,</b><b style="color: #274e13;"> was a Fellow
of the Jesus Seminar</b><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">**</span></b><b style="color: #274e13;">, and the first person to be designated as Distinguished
Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University. Educated at
Moorhead College in Concordia, Minnesota; Union Theological Seminary, in New
York City; and earned a Masters degree in theology and a Ph.D. at Mansfield
College, Oxford, England. A progressive Christian with a significant record of
scholarship and research of the Historical Jesus, a prolific author and
lecturer, and known internationally through videos, lectures, and television,
Borg was a frequent collaborator with other theologians with whom he both agreed
and disagreed. He remains one of the most recognized
and influential theologians of today. Two of his best known
works are </b><b style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></b><b style="color: #274e13;"><i><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">Meeting J</span>esus Again for the First Time: The
historical Jesus & the heart of contemporary faith</i></b><b style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">; and, </span></b><b style="color: #274e13;"><i>Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking
the Bible Seriously but Not Literally</i></b><b style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.</span></b></span></span></p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">**</span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #203864;">The Jesus Seminar,
then and now:</span><span style="color: #203864;"> </span><span style="color: #203864;"><a href="https://theconversation.com/getting-the-gist-of-a-historical-jesus-the-jesus-seminar-30-years-on-44465">https://theconversation.com/getting-the-gist-of-a-historical-jesus-the-jesus-seminar-30-years-on-44465</a></span></span></b></span></span></div><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><span style="font-size: medium;">All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </span></i><span style="font-size: medium;">Leeosophy@gmail.com
</span></span></b><div><b><i><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-9710926596789087102024-03-09T08:54:00.003-05:002024-03-10T16:49:42.965-04:00Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 22: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b><i>March 9, 2024 ~ 4th Saturday in Lent</i></b></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKiTl4j-fRceLuI897SN5mpiDc828vEFRvjgZQn9AvjX-ZwV-g6SnK-i5D9BTKHeKVf5zuf1BOJAnWCa9Whm-s75tPicU0nUV3b5Tb4z6-gEmKfMgb0J0Vmz900MEr5W4OxxfBGLNKMrIyWrj41Y_2XBGf_4DFIJf-hEL5vANusk9oTf8GwOqL20OFb-Z/s259/4th%20Saturday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2022%20%20'23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="259" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKiTl4j-fRceLuI897SN5mpiDc828vEFRvjgZQn9AvjX-ZwV-g6SnK-i5D9BTKHeKVf5zuf1BOJAnWCa9Whm-s75tPicU0nUV3b5Tb4z6-gEmKfMgb0J0Vmz900MEr5W4OxxfBGLNKMrIyWrj41Y_2XBGf_4DFIJf-hEL5vANusk9oTf8GwOqL20OFb-Z/w331-h227/4th%20Saturday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2022%20%20'23.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><br /><div><b><i><span style="color: #78206e; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #78206E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">I</span></i></b></div>
<div><b><i><span style="color: #78206e; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #78206E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Am</span></i></b></div>
<div><b><i><span style="color: #78206e; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #78206E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">A Hole</span></i></b></div>
<div><b><i><span style="color: #78206e; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #78206E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">In A Flute</span></i></b></div>
<div><b><i><span style="color: #78206e; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #78206E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">That the Christ's Breath</span></i></b></div>
<div><b><i><span style="color: #78206e; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #78206E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Moves Through -</span></i></b></div>
<div><b><i><span style="color: #78206e; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #78206E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Listen to This</span></i></b></div>
<div><b><i><span style="color: #78206e; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #78206E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Music.</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #215f9a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215F9A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=75000 lumo=25000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 191;"> </span></i></b></div>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="color: #163e64; font-family: "Constantia",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #163E64; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=90000 lumo=10000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 230;">~ Hafiz 1320-1389</span></i></b><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: x-large; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></b></p></div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #215f9a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215F9A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=75000 lumo=25000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 191;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> I don’t
remember when I first read a poem by Hafiz. But I do remember the first time I
read the one above. I was browsing in a bookstore for nothing in particular. I saw
a book and picked it up and turned the first few pages. Just after the page
with all the publishing details was the poem. I had seen a few things by Hafiz
but this just captured me and going no further into the book, I bought it. Take
some time to sit with this poem, this image. Breathe with it. It’s a full body
~ physical, heartful, soulful ~ breath prayer. Whether or not you have any musical ability or not, imagine yourself as a flute
filled with music just waiting to be released. See your breath as on a cold
winter day expressed as vapor released into your surroundings. Imagine it is
Christ’s breath sent into each person you pass, speak to… We are the vessels to
carry all that we say we believe, even Christ Himself. </span><span style="color: #215f9a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif;">O Breath of God,</span></b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />
<b> waft through my
body, permeate my soul, fill my consciousness to overflowing, open my heart to
let go of judgment, anger, fear, resentment, and more internal negatives. Let
me breathe in deeply to fill me so I can breathe You out into the
World. For today I will <i><u>give up</u></i> the oblivion of
mindless breathing and <i><u>take on</u></i> the wonder
of deeply inhaling, holding, and exhaling with purpose beyond the
obvious. I will stop and notice several times today as I breathe
in with intention and breathe out with awareness. I will <i><u>pray</u></i> at
those moments to experience the Radiance of Christ entering in and the humility
of conveying the Glory of Christ as I release His music to the world around
me. <i>amen.</i></b></span></span><span style="color: #501549; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></b><b><span style="color: #65290b;">Hafiz (Shams-ud-din
Muhammad) was a beloved poet of 14th century Persians and his mystical verse
has come down through the ages influencing the work and lives of Goethe and
Ralph Waldo Emerson, both of whom translated his work. Arthur Conan Doyle had
his character Sherlock Holmes quoting Hafiz and Johannes Brahms used several
lines in his own compositions. It has been said that in
difficult moments, Queen Victoria also went to the work of Hafiz. The
quote above was translated by Daniel Ladinsky in his book, <i>A Year With
Hafiz.</i></span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: large;"><span class="expandableitem"><b><i><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #002060; padding: 0in;">Hafiz</span></i></b></span><span class="expandableitem"><b><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #002060; padding: 0in;">, is a title, rather than a name, literally
meaning "protector." Depending on the context it is a term used by
Muslims for someone who has completely memorized the Quran. Hafiza is the
female equivalent. A hafiz is given great respect by the people of the
community with titles such as "Hafiz Sahb", "Ustadh", and
occasionally Sheikh.</span></b></span></span><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Goudy Type"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><b><i>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </i>Leeosophy@gmail.com
</b></span><div><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-2897154623144105852024-03-08T10:45:00.001-05:002024-03-08T10:45:20.118-05:00Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 21: Give Up, Take On, Pray ‘24<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">March
29, 2024 ~ 4<sup>th</sup> Friday in Lent</span></span></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlQjejxNLEarJTd04kEj5hrIFV1DPBuHkNTtC5YihI7mLW648a1mbHYslDlMtP_ry_1VCTIXmwZlNwKbQzbn8I6RfjTphq9iNOVuOeu53ZRXtUoB0lzthIPW2XWuFnGxKpa3yVWhO1V8avhn6UvbrlsqLrS49ZyBgqTp9LLO82lVxQlA3Bta9R5Roa2m1/s386/4th%20Friday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2021%20'24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="386" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlQjejxNLEarJTd04kEj5hrIFV1DPBuHkNTtC5YihI7mLW648a1mbHYslDlMtP_ry_1VCTIXmwZlNwKbQzbn8I6RfjTphq9iNOVuOeu53ZRXtUoB0lzthIPW2XWuFnGxKpa3yVWhO1V8avhn6UvbrlsqLrS49ZyBgqTp9LLO82lVxQlA3Bta9R5Roa2m1/w385-h212/4th%20Friday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2021%20'24.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #7d320d; font-family: "Sorts Mill Goudy",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
refuse to answer that question on the grounds </span></i></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><b style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><i><span style="color: #7d320d; font-family: "Sorts Mill Goudy", serif; font-size: 16pt;">that I don't know the answer.</span></i></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #a64312;">―</span></b><b><span style="color: #a64312;"> Douglas Adams</span></b><b><span style="color: red;">*</span></b></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #03189d; font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #03189d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">To be completely fair, the question <i>What do you
believe </i>was not a question asked of Mr. Adams that I know of, but his words
that I quoted are simply that, a quote attributed to him that works for my
purpose. I have no idea of the context but most likely it was a part of his
humor. But now I ask <i>YOU</i> to think about this question for yourself. I do
it all the time, especially when I’ve been confronted with centuries old theology in the form of “doctrines.” </span></span></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><i> Theo-logy</i> in a literal translation from the original Greek means
God [<i>Theo</i>] and study of [ology as in geology, archaeology, ophthalmology…]. Theology is, simply, the study of God </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">and even <u>g</u>ods and goddesses as in, the <i>theology
of ancient cultures</i></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">. How have you studied God? Maybe you’ve been part of a
Bible study and/or paid attention to sermons at Church, participated in seminars, watched TV preachers, or maybe you have
explored in small study groups, read books, watched documentaries about religion or
spirituality. Do you believe it because she/he/they simply taught you to, told
you to, because they have said it once or many times, or because you have truly
wondered, studied, explored, pondered, discussed with others, etc.?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> The follow-on
to <i>what do you believe </i>about God is <i>why do you believe it?</i> In my
personal experience, having accepted what I was taught, then questioned it, then
was dissatisfied with some answers, intrigued by other answers, listened, and
worked on my own and with others, read a lot, worked on my own and with others. My personal conclusion is I have some solid/core beliefs
and some that I will continue to explore and question for the rest of my life as in: What
draws me in, what repels me, what am I seeking, what comforts upholds me, what makes
no sense to me, what… I don’t probably will never know the
answers to all the questions and I'm learning to accept it.</span></span></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #215f9a; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Great Spirit of My Soul,</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">I seem to ask myself <i>What do I believe</i> quite a bit though I
never seem to get a complete answer. Other people seem very clear, even
emphatic about their beliefs and I often wish I could be. But the
truth is, some of my answers change as I get older, learn more, and I
often wonder why I wonder.</b></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b> One
of the things about You of which I am certain is that there is You.
Another is that You have many titles, many layers, and You are available
to me and everyone in many, many ways. <br /></b><b> But...there
are the uncertain parts. Is there anything You </b><b><i>require </i></b><b>me</b><b> to believe? Some “authorities”
would demand that I accept this or that or the other or I’m forever doomed. There
sure are a lot of different ideas about You among people who get very
upset, extremely angry, and even start wars with others who strongly disagree.<br /> <o:p></o:p></b><b> If You are a <i>Universal God</i>, why do
we have to fight about You? It's all in the details, I suppose ~ about who
made the “rules” and who shouts the rules out better. Are “their”
rules all about loving You and each other, or more about control and
manipulation by some earthly representative? <br /> </b><b> For
today, I’ll <i><u>give up</u></i> the feeling that I “should” be completely certain
of what I believe. I’ll continue to <i><u>take on</u></i> learning more
about who You are in my life through personal and communal prayer, by
reading and talking about my own and different faith traditions with others,
and by looking at the lives of people I think are good models for my
life. I’ll <i><u>pray</u></i> for the wisdom to know that whatever I
believe, You understand and are still with me.<br /></b><b> Perhaps
the God of those who feel the need to argue and demand the most adherence to their
beliefs by others is smaller than You are and is able to be kept in a
manageable box so they feel as big or bigger than you. Yes, that I do believe. </b></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "Sorts Mill Goudy", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">*</span><b><span style="color: #1c3c10; font-family: "Goudy Type";">Douglas Adams[1952-2001], English born dramatist, humorist, and
author, is best known for <i>The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</i>, a
comedic science fiction series of books, tv, movies, computer games,
and plays.</span></b><span style="color: #275317; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Sorts Mill Goudy", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></p></div>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #a64312; font-family: "Sorts Mill Goudy",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></p></div><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></b></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </i>Leeosophy@gmail.com
</b></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-7325094030071721962024-03-07T10:42:00.000-05:002024-03-07T10:42:36.213-05:00Meditation Moment in Lent, Day 20: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<div><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Lora; font-size: medium;"><i>March 7, 2024 ~ 4th Thursday in Lent</i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Lora; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Lora; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RZEKp5MPkCwicV4FHjuddGAXbRY3beT5oejxsJYTO86tCJ-nzBoTdpg4IQPPoK_E0ofEe3eExqEfzCBA0lXmdgKRqBSSL71QmUMbE331p23yQI8qSv7neYJ99z0laSSPu5GlHhHEmjgEjweHHTHdD6BlQexialTkqtGdsuCmDryNQLQ-TlxorroP5UO7/s599/4th%20Thursday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2020%20'24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="599" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RZEKp5MPkCwicV4FHjuddGAXbRY3beT5oejxsJYTO86tCJ-nzBoTdpg4IQPPoK_E0ofEe3eExqEfzCBA0lXmdgKRqBSSL71QmUMbE331p23yQI8qSv7neYJ99z0laSSPu5GlHhHEmjgEjweHHTHdD6BlQexialTkqtGdsuCmDryNQLQ-TlxorroP5UO7/w407-h306/4th%20Thursday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2020%20'24.jpg" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></b><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><i><span style="color: #843c0c;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif;">One of the most
significant negative habits we should be aware of </span></span></i></strong></span></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><strong><i><span style="color: #843c0c;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif;">i</span></span></i></strong></span><strong><i><span style="color: #843c0c;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif;">s that of constantly
allowing our mind to run off into the future...</span></span></i></strong></span></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><i><span style="color: #843c0c;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif;">Carried away by our worries,
we’re unable to live fully and happily in the present. </span></span></i></strong></span></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><i><span style="color: #843c0c;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif;">Deep down, we believe we
can’t really be happy just yet—</span></span></i></strong></span></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><strong><i><span style="color: #843c0c;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif; font-size: medium;">that we still have a few more boxes to be
checked off </span></span></i></strong></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><i><span style="color: #843c0c;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif;">before we can really enjoy life.</span></span></i></strong><i><span style="color: #843c0c;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif;"> </span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: #843c0c;">~ Thích Nhất Hạnh</span></i></b><strong><i><span style="color: red;">*</span></i></strong><strong><i><span style="color: #843c0c;"> </span></i></strong></span></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span><b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> It’s one thing to hope for and plan for the
future. It’s another thing to live in it before it arrives and, in so doing,
miss all the opportunities of <em>today</em> to
smile, appreciate, enjoy. Even in the darkest of times, light will shine
through the clouds. How many times have you played the game of: <i>once the car
is paid off...once the kids are through college...once the new roof is on...once
the dentist bills are paid.once the house is fixed up, paid off, sold...once we
retire. <em>THEN we'll be able to...</em></i><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: large; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> Take the moments you have in the <u>NOW</u>, </span></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: large; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">and the <u>THEN</u> <i>will</i>
take care of itself.</span></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: medium; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Dear
God of the Possibly-Maybe-Someday Stuff ~<br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> All this business of "live for today and tomorrow will take care of
itself" is all well and fine but I have bills to pay, income to worry
about, house repairs that can't wait, and the car has issues and then there’s
the dentist bill, and, and, and... [insert long, </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span>s l o w,
d e e p, breath here]. Ok, all right, fine! For today I will <em><u>give up</u></em> looking so
far ahead that today is gone before I know it. I will <em style="text-decoration-line: underline;">take on</em> setting
the cell phone timer to go off once an hour for 6 hours and when it does, I
will stand up, take one, long, slow, deep breath, and walk through the space I'm in. I'll take 30 more seconds to look around me
and notice something pleasant or peace-giving or comforting that I haven't
noticed before whether in my immediate surroundings or outside of a window; or,
I will look at a picture of someone I love and smile and be glad to have him or
her or them in my life. I will <em><u>pray</u></em> to be <em>aware</em> of
and to be thankful for all the good moments that I have for looking for them in this
day and the next and the next. I will thank You, Dear Lord, and remember that <em>Life is a gift</em>,
as someone once put on a tacky plaque <em>that's why we call it the present.</em></span> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">[You
know, the magnetic one I have on my refrigerator to remind me]</span></b><em><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.</span></b></em><span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">amen.</span></b></span></span></p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Goudy Old Style",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">*</span></strong><b><span style="color: #3a5925; font-family: "Constantia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: David; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thích Nh</span><span style="color: #3a5925; font-family: "Constantia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">ấ</span><span style="color: #3a5925; font-family: "Constantia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: David; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">t Hanh [Tick Not Hahn], 1926-2022, was a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk</span></b><b style="color: #3a5925; font-family: Constantia, serif;">, peace activist, teacher,
prolific author, and poet who was once nominated for the Nobel Peace
Prize by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He wrote and
lectured extensively on the connections between Buddhism and
Christianity in such works as <i>Living Buddha, Living Christ</i> and <i>Going
Home, Jesus and Buddha as Brothers</i>. He studied comparative religion at
Princeton University and was appointed lecturer in Buddhism at Columbia
University. He lived in a monastery in the south of France until his death but traveled frequently around the world to lecture.</b></span></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><i>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </i>Leeosophy@gmail.com
</span></b><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-56300118289049816902024-03-06T11:22:00.000-05:002024-03-06T11:22:40.839-05:00Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 19: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<div><div><b><i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "PT Serif",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">March 6, 2024 ~ 4th Wednesday in Lent</span></i></b></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: PT Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR8VHc-inlWguH16ha-Yd6oDfS3pnKh5WOEPh4XDX-2NqcqyULl58p1DEs4pixBeV-D1oUX74WssrTrHlYen3Q8Va7opP9OQQVbTzOGZXo44sUMV7KWfKmXDQY0LEgA6oNOq54HJXpa0Iv_MOfy3oXYKd2QVo5gPOru7HJ8p8qsnkyVjuXfaWyXWEex9m/s300/4th%20Wednesday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2019%20'23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="300" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR8VHc-inlWguH16ha-Yd6oDfS3pnKh5WOEPh4XDX-2NqcqyULl58p1DEs4pixBeV-D1oUX74WssrTrHlYen3Q8Va7opP9OQQVbTzOGZXo44sUMV7KWfKmXDQY0LEgA6oNOq54HJXpa0Iv_MOfy3oXYKd2QVo5gPOru7HJ8p8qsnkyVjuXfaWyXWEex9m/w366-h223/4th%20Wednesday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2019%20'23.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Julian of Norwich</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><span><span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Fondamento;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #060b96;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></b><b><i><span style="color: #215f9a; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="color: #215f9a; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #033598;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Few
of us can claim personal experience with unconditional love either received or
given. Perhaps a moment with a child, even a pet, but such a rarefied occasion
is fleeting and fragile. Yet there are those times when even the
strongest of us needs the all-encompassing embrace of one who gives us
a <i>Way </i>for our living this life yet requires nothing in
return, has no expectations, and wants only to care for and comfort, nurture
and love us. Let us whisper in our hearts to the One and <i>know</i>.</span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Fondamento;"><b><span style="color: #215f9a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Fondamento;"><b><span style="color: #215f9a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<div style="background: white; font-family: Fondamento; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">O Great Nurturer,
Comforter, and Soother, </span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; font-family: Fondamento; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> Some
days I want too much from others while I think that they want too much
from me. Although I'm often certain that, "of course" I try
to meet the expectations they have, I more easily fall into an ego trap of <i>but
what about me</i>? For today I will <u>give up</u> pouting
about feelings of being ignored and inadequate. I will <u>take on</u> a
fresh breath and a deep dive into Your call to love my neighbors and myself
as well as You do, and that my gifts of and from the Spirit are always needed and wanted and useful for others. I will <u>pray</u> to
remember that You are always within and around me and knowing if I pause,
breathe, and know You are here, You grant me continuing rebirth in faith,
reassurance of Your love, and refreshment in my soul. amen.</span></span></b></div><div style="background: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Fondamento; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> *</span></b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Julian
of Norwich, </b><b>1342-ca 1416,</b><b> </b><b>was an
English Anchoress which was, in her day, a hermit who lived in, and
was sometimes permanently enclosed in, a small cell attached to a
wall of the church. Her life consisted of daily devotions, prayer, devotional
reading, and writing. She is considered to be one of the most
important mystics in all of Christianity. Her manuscript
of Revelations of Divine Love ~ also known as the Short
Text ~ is thought to be the oldest surviving book written in English by a
woman. She is probably best known for her words that with God, "All
shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of
things shall be well."</b></span></span><b style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Fondamento; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><o:p> </o:p></p></span></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com
Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-36617613995366651512024-03-05T10:08:00.000-05:002024-03-05T10:08:24.562-05:00Meditation in Lent, Day 18: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">March 5, 2024 ~ 3<sup>rd</sup> Tuesday in Lent</span></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfETxZxmwR_1z-ARuaD9W_1FlWhmQS9-el7J8P8EyFH991Gz7-JFTdWZlh82JwpooSkAGxKWjlFHngmVeHK6L4oN3SJOw0wyfZZti3JQ7DX_RXS1YdAzS9tnCS2ANg7_2HKdim0l_4lfPXXjsT-S4bvZFWP4wRSsP6EZuYbBwpVdJryeABLcuLIkRleE6/s480/3rd%20Tuesday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2018%20'23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfETxZxmwR_1z-ARuaD9W_1FlWhmQS9-el7J8P8EyFH991Gz7-JFTdWZlh82JwpooSkAGxKWjlFHngmVeHK6L4oN3SJOw0wyfZZti3JQ7DX_RXS1YdAzS9tnCS2ANg7_2HKdim0l_4lfPXXjsT-S4bvZFWP4wRSsP6EZuYbBwpVdJryeABLcuLIkRleE6/w359-h320/3rd%20Tuesday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2018%20'23.jpg" width="359" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Fondamento;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: 18pt;">~ Vida Dutton Scudder </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: 10pt;">1861-1954</span><span style="color: red; font-size: 14pt;">*</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Fondamento;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A paradox of Creation is
that it is complete but not yet finished. God in the Trinity, as Creator,
Redeemer, and Sanctifier, calls us into a spiritual relationship and as earthly
co-creators, acting in us to give us all we need to continue the work of
salvation, mercy, social justice, and simple kindness. We are also called into loving our
neighbors as ourselves in this world, and caring for the Earth itself. So, do
you feel more special now, or, more scared? A little of both? </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />
<br /></span></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #481f67; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Holy God of Mystery and Majesty,<br />
I feel a little overwhelmed by all You
have entrusted to me to be and accomplish. I want to live up to all of Your
expectations even while I'm not sure of the hows, the whats, and the wheres to
begin. For today, again, I will <i><u>give up</u></i> the pursuit of
material satisfaction as a principal goal of life and stay off the shopping
websites that lure me into far more than I need with the tease of
"free" home delivery. I'll shop in local businesses that will keep
the load and costs lower as I carry my purchases with me. I'll <i><u>take
on</u></i> trying to truly see Your Creation and consciously participate
in it with birds and trees and avoiding toxic lawn care by encouraging
dandelions here and there for the bees. I'll be more proactive in creating
relationships, however momentary or long-term with the world around me and all
who are in it from the street I live on, the people I know, and those I see in
everyday life. I'll pay more attention to my everyday thoughts, and, especially
my words and actions everywhere I go, as You have created me to do. I<i><u> pray</u></i> to
always know that You are within me, that Faith and the Spirit have given me
what I need to do and be, and I pray to remember to keep praying to move
through this life with consciousness, intention, and purpose, caring and
carrying Your love through all that I do each day in this brief earthly
sojourn. <i>amen</i>.</span></span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">*</span></span></b><b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Vida Dutton Scudder holds October 10 on the US Episcopal
Liturgical Calendar as a Feast Day. Professor of English Literature at
Wellesley College in Massachusetts, she was one of the first two American women
admitted to the graduate program at Oxford University. In addition to
teaching, she was an author and a welfare activist in the Social Gospel
movement. She was a founder or organizer of many groups involved with
Christian socialism, trade/labor unions, and Boston's Denison House, the third
settlement house in the US. In 1888 she joined the Society of the Companions of
the Holy Cross, Episcopal women dedicated to intercessory prayer and
social reconciliation. At her retirement from Wellesley she was given the
title of Professor Emeritus and among other honors went on the become the
first Dean of the Summer School of Christian Ethics at Wellesley and the first
woman to be published in the <i>Anglican Theological Review</i>. For information
on the beginnings and workings of the Social Gospel Movement click this link:</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: large;"> </span></b><b style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Constantia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: David; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><a href="https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/twenty/tkeyinfo/socgospel.htm">https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/twenty/tkeyinfo/socgospel.htm</a></span></u></b></div><p></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></b></p></div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact:</i> Leeosophy@gmail.com
</span></b><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-57153456948076842132024-03-04T17:53:00.000-05:002024-03-04T17:53:19.076-05:00Prayers of the People: Grace-Full Antidote ~ 4th Sunday in Lent '24 Yr B<div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: times, serif;">For Sunday, March 10, 2024, Readings: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Ephesians
2:1-10, John 3:14-21</span></i></b></div></div><div><span style="color: #351c75;"><b style="font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8pq5wmj-6f2Gne_EVWhNLjaLEMWJR5XjcnChY1-7eca7A2VSwihFcov0taihh3bsXx-s9I6TQ-zGE3rw_6JMq1Kvvs2Ak4OY2cg54-lmXBeNLmn-U3h_kT7CYXAsEvPCaSH9NeQeXlIxIRuYzZxGHzo27QbpGPeh4ktelpsmNsPhOvKkWbJ_-f4UYJ2u/s1000/4%20Lent%20'24%20Yr%20B%20Grace%20Full%20Antidote.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1000" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8pq5wmj-6f2Gne_EVWhNLjaLEMWJR5XjcnChY1-7eca7A2VSwihFcov0taihh3bsXx-s9I6TQ-zGE3rw_6JMq1Kvvs2Ak4OY2cg54-lmXBeNLmn-U3h_kT7CYXAsEvPCaSH9NeQeXlIxIRuYzZxGHzo27QbpGPeh4ktelpsmNsPhOvKkWbJ_-f4UYJ2u/w310-h348/4%20Lent%20'24%20Yr%20B%20Grace%20Full%20Antidote.jpg" width="310" /></a></div></span></b><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"><i>The Israelites set out by the way to the Red Sea...but the
people became impatient...[and] spoke against God and against Moses...Then the <span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> sent poisonous serpents...many
Israelites died...So Moses prayed for the people. And the <span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> said to Moses, "Make a
poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look
at it and live."</i> </span></b><b><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Numbers 21:4-5a, 6, 7b-8]</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-weight: bold;"><b style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></b><b style="font-style: italic;"><i><span style="color: #783f04;">Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, and his mercy endures
forever...Then they cried to the </span></i></b><b style="font-style: italic;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span></i></b><b><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> in their trouble, and he delivered them
from their distress.<span style="font-size: x-small; font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Psalm 107:1, 19]</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white; font-weight: bold;"><b style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> <i>But
God, who is rich in mercy...made us alive together with Christ...For by grace
you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing; it is the
gift of God - not the result of works, so that no one may boast.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></span></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">[Ephesians
2:4a,b; 8-9</span></b><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">]</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white; font-weight: bold;"><b style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> <i>Jesus
said, "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the
Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal
life...the light has come into the world...those who do what is true come to
the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in
God."<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[John 3:14, 19a, 21]</span><i style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p></span><span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><div class="WordSection1" style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><span style="color: #2f5597; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> Even God gets tired of grumbling. After all the grand displays
of glory ~ pillars of cloud and fire, parting of seas, manna (what no salt
and pepper?), and more ~ the grumbling Israelites still had no confidence in
the eventuality of God's deliverance. So, God sends poisonous snakes that kill,
and suddenly chastened, the people begged Moses to pray and intervene for them,
and he did. God delivered ~ not an end to the dangers, but relief.<br />
Moses, on God's orders, made a bronze snake to hang on a
pole. All the Israelites had to do was <i>look</i> at the snake on
the pole when bitten and they lived. God is not predictable, but as the
Psalmist tells us God’s <i>mercy endures forever. </i>And, Paul tells
us we are saved by God's grace.<br />
We ALL have God's grace. We don't have to work for it ~ no one
does ~ it comes to us by faith however strong or wavering or by hope. Yet how
have we harnessed it, especially after we have been bitten by the snakes of our
own behavior, or by that of someone else's?<br />
Have you ever thought or said that old
expression: <i>There but for the grace of God go I?</i> It is mostly
well-intended, and at once unintentionally thought-less and even care-less.
It's an instant reaction to reduce our own fear and to comfort ourselves
against the dangers of life as in: “<i>Whew! Dodged that! </i>There's
that poor guy who was run over in the same intersection I just crossed, and
there but for…" Even well-meaning, the unconscious thought is: "<u>I</u> have
more grace than <u>that</u> guy." <br />
<i> </i>As we are deep in this Lenten season, let us work to
be more conscious, more aware of even our most random reactions and instant
thoughts. God is "rich in mercy" and loves and understands each
of us as only our Creator could; certainly better than we understand ourselves
or each other. Our lives are filled with danger, there are all sorts and
conditions of "snakes" that bite us, many of which we invite into our
own space by striving for ever-more earthly material.<br />
The poison of chasing earthly stuff, judging and blaming
others for their gender and gender choices, color, language, national origin, choice
of religious expression or lack of, sexual orientation, and anything that makes
one feel superior to another can be quite tempting as well as lethal to our
souls. God doesn't promise our earthly life will be easy or safe and John 3:16
isn't magic or just for signs at football games. It is for us to know, deep
down, in every day of this life, so that everyone who believes in Christ <i>may
not perish but may have eternal life. <br />
</i> We are to be steadfast and faith-filled in the knowledge of
the Light of Christ within us. Our conscious acts are clearly to be of and for
God. As the Israelites were directed to look up to the pole, Jesus tells
Nicodemus that the Son of Man is also to be lifted up. We are called to look to
Christ, the Cross, and the Resurrection in faith, for our salvation, before we
are bitten by the snakes of sin, as well as after. With meaningful prayer and
practice over time, even our unconscious thoughts and actions may be less
poisonous to ourselves and others. And, maybe, we could even stop grumbling
quite so much. Meanwhile, let us strive to grow in faith, to accept and feel
the infusion of the ever-flowing Grace-Full Antidote within us to repel the
darkness of sin.</span></b></p></div>
<div class="WordSection2" style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">
<div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">T'was Grace that taught<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">
my heart to fear.<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">
And Grace, my fears relieved.<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">
How precious did that Grace appear<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">
the hour I first believed. <br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">
Through many dangers, toils and snares<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">
we have already come.<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">
and Grace will lead us home</span></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
</span></span><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;">LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><b>Leader: </b>~ O God of Enduring Mercy, awaken us
to the snakes we invite into the wilderness of our own making by impatient
striving for mere earthly advantage. Open the eyes of our souls to the light of
Christ that stems the poison of sin and lifts our desire for eternal salvation.</span></p>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;">
Lord of Eternal Wonder</span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;">RESPONSE:
In faith we accept Your grace</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">~ O God of Enduring
Mercy, amplify our voices to all who hold power on this Planet, in this
Nation, and in this Community, as we combat and clamor against ordinary
and catastrophic injustice toward all who are endangered <i>In</i> the darkness
of deliberate human trespass. We pray especially for: <i>add your own
petitions</i></span></p>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> Lord of
Eternal Wonder</span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> <b>In
faith we accept Your grace</b></span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">~ O God of Enduring
Mercy, deliver from their distress all who are suffering through
life-threatening illness, addiction, or homelessness, and give rest to all who
provide support. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in
need…</span></p>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Lord of Eternal Wonder</span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <b>In faith we accept Your grace</b></span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">~ O God of Enduring Mercy, we
shout for joy in thanksgiving for all who are now made alive again and gathered
forever into the immeasurable riches of Your unending love. We pray
especially for… <i>add your own petitions</i></span></p>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> Lord of
Eternal Wonder</span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> <b>In
faith we accept Your grace</b></span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">~ O God of Enduring
Mercy, we <i>pause</i> in this moment to offer You our other
heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… <i>add
your own petitions</i></span></p>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> Lord of
Eternal Wonder</span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> <b>In
faith we accept Your grace</b> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">~ O God of Enduring Mercy,
guide the souls, the minds, and the hearts of all who bring us together into
our Living Christ through their service of Pastoring, Preaching, and
Prayer. We pray especially for: <i>add your own petitions</i></span></p>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> Lord of
Eternal Wonder</span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> <b>In
faith we accept Your grace</b></span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Celebrant adds: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Good and
Redeeming Lord, invigorate our faith and inspire us in our repentance to
acknowledge and accept Your free gift of Grace, that our souls may not perish
in sin, but thrive in Your eternal life. We ask through Your Son, our Savior,
Jesus Christ; and the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit; Who live and reign with You as
One God, now, in the ages to come, and forever. <b>Amen.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;">Leeosophy@gmail.com
</span></span><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-45278638463501341222024-03-04T10:06:00.000-05:002024-03-04T10:06:04.951-05:00Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 17: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">March
4, 2024 ~ 3<sup>rd</sup> Monday in Lent</span></span></i></b></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjGe4rVOCqRZqSo1pWZhP3sNfZil4vjtFmn3FGbFbnTGlvhv7bfZU2J-Jr6zph5jFu660MxXI0nONIX3j47Pq40X4HSMhAxd4Zdp8AemHLE_VbDJ9GtKvwPLcSOOCUr5N0ASjYNrAIrbGUq8D1YCrXqRkCIXwTW1SFfK7xrZWctnWrdDcU9fbCffNK2xL/s1920/3rd%20Monday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2017%20'24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjGe4rVOCqRZqSo1pWZhP3sNfZil4vjtFmn3FGbFbnTGlvhv7bfZU2J-Jr6zph5jFu660MxXI0nONIX3j47Pq40X4HSMhAxd4Zdp8AemHLE_VbDJ9GtKvwPLcSOOCUr5N0ASjYNrAIrbGUq8D1YCrXqRkCIXwTW1SFfK7xrZWctnWrdDcU9fbCffNK2xL/w385-h240/3rd%20Monday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2017%20'24.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Lora;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Prayer</span></i></b><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> is
a nonlocative, nongeographic space that one enters </span></b></span><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: medium;">at one's own peril,</span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: medium;"> for it houses God during
those few moments of one's presence there, </span></span></b></div><div style="background: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: medium;">and what is there will most surely
change everything that comes into it...</span></span></b></div><div style="background: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: medium;">Ever traveling as we travel, moving as
we move, prayer grips like home, until</span></span></b></div><div style="background: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> the heart belongs nowhere else and the
body can scarcely function apart from them both.</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Prayer is dangerous and the entrance
way to wholeness.</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="background: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento;"><b><span style="color: #552707;">~ Phyllis Tickle</span></b><span style="color: red;">*</span><b><span style="color: #552707;"> 1934-2015</span></b></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif;"><span style="color: #0026ff; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><b style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> How
do you pray? There are many ways ~ some use formally
constructed prayers written by others, some pray spontaneously in a
group. Some pray in silence and alone. What are the reasons for your
prayers: intercessory (on behalf of others), thanksgiving (for blessings in
life), petition (request for yourself), penitence (you're sorry for
something as in what I say in traffic), to give praise to God without asking or expecting a
return?</span></b><b style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> What really is prayer? It's a conversation with God, Jesus, and/or the Holy Spirit. Step one:
<i>Dear God... or the ever-popular </i>Oh God!</span></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; font-weight: bold;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #4a206a; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dear God,</span></b></div><b><span style="color: #4a206a; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Sometimes I find it difficult to know what
to say to You even though I don't seem to have a problem talking to anyone
else. What words are best? What should I be
saying? Do the words matter? Do I always need words since You know my conscious and unconscious thoughts? </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> For today, I will <u>give up</u> trying
to pray the way I think is correct and <u>take on</u> speaking
to You from my heart as I do to a very close friend. I will<u> pray</u> to share
sacred house-space with You, more often. Is it true that my heart, mind, and soul can be
transformed by engaging with You regularly? That does feel a little
dangerous, but, since You are God, what better danger can there be? amen.</span></b></div></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><i><span style="color: #7e3a5c; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></i></b><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Lora;"><b><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #0b5394;">An Episcopal lay woman, Phyllis
Tickle was an accomplished author and lecturer whose focus was primarily
religion and spirituality. She served as a teacher, professor, an academic
dean, and as an editor for St. Luke's Press, Peachtree Publishers,
and <i>Publishers Weekly</i>. Her best known works are The
Great Emergence - How Christianity is Changing and Why and her series
on The Divine Hours. The opening quote is from Phyllis
Tickle: Essential Spiritual Writings (Jon Sweeney, ed., Church Publishing,
2018)</span></b></span></div>
<p></p></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </i>Leeosophy@gmail.com
</b></span><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-52529976116018668132024-03-01T22:35:00.000-05:002024-03-01T22:35:20.756-05:00Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 16: Give Up, Take On, and Pray '24<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>March 2, 2024 ~ 3rd Saturday in Lent</i></b></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7NNd2-YJ6nktgB_nrKwe3XIKMedeJc23x4kO69hyphenhyphenc2U9JdGUzay1XBA5uhN2Md5WsYnpF0WFgDiXqHf6j0p0PmxGpBaEGjuiKEdw6QTKf7BZMZeXCYxwruOxeiRPsH9WgyJvlF9cMpWpcNrSZEpnFkMl5KJEKzMgTvqAlgcbUXqWKlYoAwyauQqOfRK3/s2560/3rd%20Saturday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2016%20'23%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2560" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7NNd2-YJ6nktgB_nrKwe3XIKMedeJc23x4kO69hyphenhyphenc2U9JdGUzay1XBA5uhN2Md5WsYnpF0WFgDiXqHf6j0p0PmxGpBaEGjuiKEdw6QTKf7BZMZeXCYxwruOxeiRPsH9WgyJvlF9cMpWpcNrSZEpnFkMl5KJEKzMgTvqAlgcbUXqWKlYoAwyauQqOfRK3/w407-h249/3rd%20Saturday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2016%20'23%20(2).jpg" width="407" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div><b><i><span style="color: #80350e; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #80350E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Psalm 23 speaks to us in
the simplest of terms</span></i></b></div>
<div><b><i><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">that belie the intricacy of its depth.</span></i></b></div></div></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The
symbolism in this well-known Psalm is far more complex and fascinating than
just the obvious image of a guy walking down a lane with
a big staff and a dog, or the pretty girl of nursery rhymes with a
bow on her crook as the sheep dutifully follow. </span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">
The demands on real living shepherds are constant and
endless. Sheep are peculiarly needy and helpless creatures,
quite restive, timid, and even self-destructive at times. They can stand
still for hours or bolt into stampede because an apple drops unexpectedly from
a tree. If they are heavy with lambs, they will likely lose them in the running
and panic. The shepherd must keep continuous vigil against disease, insect
infestations, pecking order fights, escape artists, water and food supplies,
and especially predators. Two untrained dogs can slaughter nearly 300 sheep
overnight if the sheep are untended. Sheep will NOT lie down unless they are
completely contented and secure. A special oil mixture that the shepherd
prepares and swabs (<i>anoints</i>) around the sheep's head
and nose keeps deadly insects from burrowing and causing panic and disease, and
the sheep is calmed for a bit. Then there are shearing and
lambing seasons...</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> Taken line by line in this Psalm we can see, feel, and
almost hear Jesus, our Shepherd, here with us, reviving, caring, comforting,
and anointing. Watching over us, preparing our table, restoring us.
Nothing we need is withheld. A Good Shepherd's job is never done.</span></b><b><span style="color: red;">*</span></b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #3e1b59;">Most Gracious and
Vigilant Shepherd,<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #3e1b59;">
How much of my life I have known the words of
this lovely little Psalm ~ but have I paid attention to them? Have I
understood what they really mean in my life? They're so familiar that
when it comes time I recite them with a matter-of-fact monotone voice seemingly
mumbling syllables without even listening to myself. But for today, I
will <i><u>give up</u></i> taking for granted that of
course You are the Shepherd who restores my soul and anoints my heart when
I call on You. Instead, I will <i><u>take on</u></i> reading this
Psalm <i>carefully and slowly</i> at least <i>twice</i>.
I will <i><u>pray</u></i> these words with conscious intention and
attention, recognizing the important message that You, Christ Jesus, ARE indeed
my Shepherd. I will read it one time as a prayer for myself, emphasizing the
parts that do refer to me: <i>The Lord is MY Shepherd;<u> I</u> shall
not be in want. He makes ME lie down in green pastures and
leads ME beside still waters......<br /></i></span></b><b><span style="color: #3e1b59;">
And then, I will read it once more (at least). Only
this time I'll add the name and appropriate pronouns of someone I know as an
intercessory prayer. And I will carry the image of Jesus leading us,
comforting us, anointing us as we walk toward dwelling in the House of the Lord
forever. I think I will call this <i>Psalm 23.1, </i>and use it so often that it will spring to mind as soon as I hear of someone in need<i> </i>of prayer. <i>amen.</i></span></b></span></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="color: #833d60; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Psalm
23.1 </span><span style="color: #833d60; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #163e64;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">(format
from the Book of Common Prayer) This prayer is version is for my Aunt Margaret,
now 104, a retired Nurse Anesthetist, and at this writing has been bedridden in
a senior residence health center for 13+ months after a fall:</span></span></b><b><span style="color: #833d60; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #50164a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #50164A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">The Lord is
Margaret's shepherd;<br />
She shall not be in want.<br />
<br />
He makes Margaret lie down in green pastures<br />
and leads her beside still waters.</span></b><span style="color: #50164a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #50164A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #50164a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #50164A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">He
revives Margaret's soul</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #50164a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #50164A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">and guides her along
right pathways for his Name's sake.</span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #50164a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #50164A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Though Margaret walks
through the valley of the shadow of death,<br />
She shall fear no evil; for you are with her;<br />
your rod and your staff, they comfort her.</span></b><span style="color: #50164a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #50164A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #50164a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #50164A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">You spread a table
before Margaret in the presence of </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #50164a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #50164A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">those who
trouble her; You anoint her head with oil,</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #50164a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #50164A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">and her cup is
running over.</span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #50164a; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #50164A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Surely your goodness
and mercy shall follow her all the days<br />
of her life, and Margaret will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Amen.</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, serif;">*</span></b><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Times, serif;">Sheep
herding information from "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23," by W.
Phillip Keller, a former shepherd, with a closer look at the fascinating
connections between the Psalm's descriptions and real life sheep farming.</span></i></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </i>Leeosophy@gmail.com
</b></span><div><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-90122630197123558982024-03-01T11:31:00.000-05:002024-03-01T11:31:32.212-05:00Meditation Moment in Lent, Day 15, Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">March 1, 2024 ~ 3rd Friday in Lent</span></b><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rUWCUv_oNLKUKn9NqVWq0QX76LAqh0-dBfWbVJ-Jny8E7_GvBEmCcYU-oyaQ2ofoKpujf3QhvMUq1mvKpaTlm4tLtePsEl_zevfTysGoKj2u15SXASKKGP5qXGt4ICLtDPsu5RCsf8yEnfNN3qWvwMWM4UFYwRtr8PHcN_-5BJuI_OV4l9pzegDuTcWU/s496/3rd%20Friday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2015%20'23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="496" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rUWCUv_oNLKUKn9NqVWq0QX76LAqh0-dBfWbVJ-Jny8E7_GvBEmCcYU-oyaQ2ofoKpujf3QhvMUq1mvKpaTlm4tLtePsEl_zevfTysGoKj2u15SXASKKGP5qXGt4ICLtDPsu5RCsf8yEnfNN3qWvwMWM4UFYwRtr8PHcN_-5BJuI_OV4l9pzegDuTcWU/w371-h207/3rd%20Friday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2015%20'23.jpg" width="371" /></a><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></div></span>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">What exactly IS <i>The Christian Ideal</i>?</span></b><b><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; font-size: 4.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 1.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span></b><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; font-size: 6.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">If you Google
the phrase <i>What is the Christian Ideal</i> you'll get directed to a variety
of sites and among the first five in the list is to the Chesterton</span></span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">*</span></b><b><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">quote and untold numbers of sermons about "it."
One Biblical reference that showed up was 1 Peter 2:18-25.</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">**</span></b><b><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> If that is the only part of the Bible I ever got to read,
I don't think it would draw me in to a <i>Christian</i> life! In its
time, the writer was speaking to <i>chosen pilgrims in the diaspora</i> in Asia
Minor who were suffering persecution. I’m glad I wasn’t living then and there,
although, we must remember that millions are living in similar conditions
today. How confident are you of defining <i>The Christian Ideal</i> to
others? Something as in, "Well, of course it is..." How would you
define it as a way of life? Why does Chesterton say it's difficult? What if
(when?) you stray from the <i>Ideal</i>? What does it mean to you to think
of yourself as, and say to others that you are a <i>Christian</i>?</span></b><b><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: #421c5e; font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Jesus,
Beloved of God,<br />
You are the Christ, the Anointed One, the Son of God,
the Son of Man. We are the <i>Christ</i>ians who have signed on to
follow You, to live our lives as You have taught us. You did give us all
we need to know in Matthew 22:33-40</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">***</span></span><span style="color: #421c5e; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> which is pretty
clear: Love God with everything we have and love everyone ~
friend, not friend, and stranger<i> ~ as </i>if they are<i> ourselves.</i> Sounds
easy<sup> </sup>but as I have said to You before, more than a few times and
probably will again, that if we can really do that, we've pretty well covered
the original 1-10 list. Well, I quietly admit, what You already know, that there
are days when I'm not loving anyone very much especially myself. And there are
many other days when I watch to see how I measure
up with the ways other Christians appear to be following
You. That can be discouraging on a variety of levels. So, for
today, I'll <i><u>give up</u></i> looking around to see what everyone
else is doing, and <i><u>take on</u></i> the "trying" again
part a little more diligently. I'll <i><u>pray</u></i> to
find my path through Your words that define <i>The Christian Ideal.</i> When
I hit a bump or two or have a cranky day, I'll leave a message for myself to
work on remembering to <i>pray</i> again and more often<i>. Oh, </i>and
I'll also remember you’re your message of <i>Love</i> is believers <i>and</i> non-believers
alike can love others as if they were themselves. What a better world that
would bring! <i> </i>amen.</span></b></span><span style="color: #421c5e; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><sup><span style="color: red; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;">*</span></sup><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">G.K. Chesterton [1874-1936] born in London and baptized as an Anglican, studied art and
literature harboring a desire to be an artist. He fell into journalism and
then began to write in earnest penning more than 80 books, hundreds of short
stories, and more hundreds of poems. He's widely known for
his Priest-Detective Father Brown character, which, dramatized for
television, still plays on PBS in the US. A lay theologian and
philosopher, he converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922. Poet, playwright,
political commentator, literary and art critic, he was known for his wit and
humor and use of paradox. His faith was deep and his practice devout
enough to warrant a telegram of condolence from the Pope "To the English
People" at his death. Just one more of his innumerable quotable
quotes that feels quite contemporary: <i>The whole modern world has
divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of
Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of the Conservatives is
to prevent the mistakes from being corrected.</i> </span><i><span style="color: #833c0b;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></b></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><sup><span style="color: red; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;">*</span></sup></b><b><sup><span style="color: red; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;">*</span></sup></b><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia;"><b>1 Peter 2:18-25: </b><span class="text"><b><sup>18 </sup></b></span><span class="text"><b>Slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect, not
only those who are good and gentle but also those who are dishonest. <sup><span id="en-NRSVUE-30401">19 </span></sup>For it is a
commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures pain while suffering
unjustly. <sup><span id="en-NRSVUE-30402">20 </span></sup>If
you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you
endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before
God. </b></span><b><sup><span id="en-NRSVUE-30403">21 </span></sup>For
to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you
an example, so that you should follow in his steps.</b><b> </b><span class="text"><b><sup>22 </sup></b></span><span class="text"><b>“He committed no sin,</b></span><b> </b><span class="text"><b>and no
deceit was found in his mouth.” </b></span><span class="text"><b><sup>23 </sup></b></span><span class="text"><b>When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he
suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges
justly. <sup><span id="en-NRSVUE-30406">24 </span></sup>He
himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, having died to sins,
we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. </b></span><b><sup><span id="en-NRSVUE-30407">25 </span></sup>For you were
going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian
of your souls.</b></span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><sup><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></sup></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><sup><span style="color: red; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;">*</span></sup></b><b style="background-color: transparent;"><sup><span style="color: red; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;">*</span></sup></b><b style="background-color: transparent;"><sup><span style="color: red; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;">*</span></sup></b><span style="color: #783f04;"><b style="font-family: georgia;">Matthew 22:34-40: </b><b style="font-family: georgia;"><sup>34 </sup></b><b style="font-family: georgia;">When the Pharisees heard that he had
silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, <sup>35 </sup>and one
of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. <sup>36 </sup>“Teacher,
which commandment in the law is the greatest?” <sup>37 </sup>He said
to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all
your soul, and with all your mind.’ <sup>38 </sup>This is the
greatest and first commandment. <sup>39 </sup>And a second is like
it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ <sup>40 </sup>On
these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”</b></span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: medium;"><b><i>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </i>Leeosophy@gmail.com
</b></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-36507351295713664872024-02-29T09:23:00.000-05:002024-02-29T09:23:21.913-05:00Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 14: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<div><h3 style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Aptos Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt;">February
29, 2024 ~ 3<sup>rd</sup> Thursday in Lent</span><span style="font-family: "Aptos Serif",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: "Aptos Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP2nGmt_XlEiuw7Fbzwa2KGu_KXmCeK47KxShh8OVQ5iANMUVwNGZYB6HhmHkv3w1bp2nBxxtgKn5aphPUo-SQxrOvkvc85AGFpLYDVbsm8_cBV0cBMEw8lQBujgqU2QqoUfBmr-n2aJrVDf5OzMqOOw4k1IXnsfBaBGiAa6d-8fXi1neG0Kw70__fc1h/s320/3rd%20Thursday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2014%20'23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP2nGmt_XlEiuw7Fbzwa2KGu_KXmCeK47KxShh8OVQ5iANMUVwNGZYB6HhmHkv3w1bp2nBxxtgKn5aphPUo-SQxrOvkvc85AGFpLYDVbsm8_cBV0cBMEw8lQBujgqU2QqoUfBmr-n2aJrVDf5OzMqOOw4k1IXnsfBaBGiAa6d-8fXi1neG0Kw70__fc1h/w403-h244/3rd%20Thursday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2014%20'23.jpg" width="403" /></a></div><div style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b><span style="font-family: PT Serif; font-size: medium;">I hear
and behold God in every object, yet understand God not in the least</span></b><b><span style="font-family: PT Serif; font-size: medium;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><br /></span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Crimson Text, serif;"> </span><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Crimson Text, serif;">
</span><b><span style="font-family: Fondamento;">~ Walt Whitman</span></b></span><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></strong><b style="color: #7f6000;"> </b><b style="color: #7f6000;">1819-1892</b></span></div><span style="font-family: "Aptos Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><b><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: #0618bd;">Where do you discover God in your life ~ in the woods, on a river, in
the mountains, in the living room, on the highway, in church? Have you
ever experienced a moment when you were certain you understood God? Have you
ever worried that you haven’t had a moment where you understood God, or that
you don’t know where to find God? </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #0618bd;"> </span></span><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <br />
</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #3e0396;">Almighty,
Mystical, Divinity,<br /> I kind of remember that when I was a child, You were in every room, every
sunrise, every blade of grass, inside, outside, and all over; and, I understood
You, or at least the wonder of You and who I was to You. And then I grew up ~ mostly. Where did You go? Some days it's a struggle to find You
anywhere and I'm more uncertain of You than ever. Oh, wait, maybe I'm the
one who went away... hmmm... SO ~ for today I'll <u>give up</u> trying to find You
anywhere else but <u>here</u> because everywhere I am <i>is here</i>.
I'll <u>take on</u> accepting that You are a
mystery that doesn't need to be defined, deciphered,
or comprehended. Lent is good time for me to remember which one of us
wandered away and can return, again. I'll <u>pray</u> little
thanksgivings as I move through the day and the world around me because
You are always <u>here</u> and I truly don't need to know
why. amen.</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #3e0396;">It's time to just ~</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><em><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Stop. Sit. Breathe.</span></b></em></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><em style="color: #4c1130;"><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">On an inhale: </span></b></em><em><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Be Still and Know that I am God</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: red;">**</span></span></b></em></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><em><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">On an exhale: </span></b></em><em><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Be still and know that I am</span></b></em></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><em><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Inhale: </span></b></em><em><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Be still and know</span></b></em></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><em><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Exhale: </span></b></em><em><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Be still</span></b></em></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><em><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Inhale: </span></b></em><em><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Be</span></b></em></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><em><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Stop, sit, breathe, </span></b></em><em><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">and</span></b></em><em><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"> <u>be</u>… </span></b></em><em><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></em></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><em><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span></b></em></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #4c1130; font-style: italic;"><em><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal;"> </span><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal;"> </span></b></em><em><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal;">**</span></b></em><em><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: Georgia, serif;">phrasing is from Psalm 46:10</span></b></em><em><b><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal;">a</span></b></em><em style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></em></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><strong style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
<br /></span></strong><span><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia;">Walt Whitman is an icon of
American poetry, especially for his Leaves
of Grass written and revised over nearly 40 years. He also was an essayist, journalist, and humanist. Whitman believed that all
religions were equal and although he remained a religious skeptic, he
did believe that the human soul is immortal and always in a state of
progression. A fascinating person, his biography is too extensive for this
space but well worth the exploration. He continues to be one of the most
influential American poets.</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;"> </span><b style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><i><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p></div><div style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><i style="color: #4c1130;">All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact:</i><span style="color: #4c1130;"> Leeosophy@gmail.com
</span></b><div><b><i><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-13970780880119389582024-02-28T09:47:00.000-05:002024-02-28T09:47:32.731-05:00Meditation Moment for Lent ~ Day 13: Give up, Take On, Pray '24<div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><b><i>February 28, 2024 ~ 3rd Wednesday in Lent </i></b></span></div><b><div style="color: #351c75; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7S4RvXR3e9scZn_HW6B_WU5_Em2qvViqW1RSO2dzQXC8czmHkmx2sqMx8LcAJVBSR9Xv2PFIilMACH6GiQTaTNQlnkk5JHX8Agldg8-PjBXFYSC6FLxwID6BDrKZvuO7mX1e_wWuZ2FjqR4r1TAXeF7orKGQGBMGXyPchVYioZ6d46xrPGXZsLBLnoo1/s608/3rd%20Wednesday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2013%20'23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="608" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7S4RvXR3e9scZn_HW6B_WU5_Em2qvViqW1RSO2dzQXC8czmHkmx2sqMx8LcAJVBSR9Xv2PFIilMACH6GiQTaTNQlnkk5JHX8Agldg8-PjBXFYSC6FLxwID6BDrKZvuO7mX1e_wWuZ2FjqR4r1TAXeF7orKGQGBMGXyPchVYioZ6d46xrPGXZsLBLnoo1/w358-h194/3rd%20Wednesday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2013%20'23.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Reinhold Neibuhr</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></i></b></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento;"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I read once that, if
Christianity is so wonderful, why do Christians often look as though they're
sucking lemons? Especially in this penitential season of Lent, some of us might
be taking it all so seriously that we miss the lightness, the joy, and, the
humor we are to have in life as a Christian. Had a good laugh lately?
Start by consciously, intentionally smiling more often.</span></span></b></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-style: italic;">
<br />
</span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #552579; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Oh Jesus,<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #552579; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> There's so much
about my relationship with you that I've been taught should be quiet,
restrained, serious, and even meek. I've memorized "The Don't
List" ~ don't do this, don't do that [ok, so I know that You know that I
may have done a don't, or maybe two]. But now that I think about
it, surely You had fun with friends, enjoyed a good dinner, and even laughed
out loud. I'm starting to realize that I might be less likely to do things
on the don't list if I lighten up and experience the wonder of the gift
that Your life has given me. For today, I'll <u>give up</u> feeling deprived in
Lent. I'll <u>take on</u> finding one thing to
laugh out loud about that is good-spirited, delight-full, and soul-satisfying.
I'll <u>pray</u> in thanksgiving for the living legacy of
Faith that fills me with eagerness to be a happier reflection of life
with You that shines through everything I do. amen.</span></b></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif;"><br />
</span></i></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><i style="font-size: large;">Reinhold Niebuhr </i>[1892-1971] <i style="font-size: large;">was an American Reformed theologian,
ethicist, and professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York City for more
than 30 years. Two of his most influential books are </i><em style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;">Moral Man and Immoral Society</em><i style="font-size: large;"> and </i><em style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;">The Nature and Destiny of Man. </em><i style="font-size: large;">Along
with an extensive biography and body of work, Niebuhr was awarded the
Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964, the highest US civilian
award. After working with labor and working classes,
in 1944 he wrote </i><em style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;">The
Children of Light and the Children of Darkness </em><i style="font-size: large;">in which he
said, "Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible; but
man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary." His
theo-philosophical perspective became known as Christian
Realism. He received the Presidential of Freedom in 1964 from President
Lyndon Johnson. Niebuhr is best known for his "Serenity Prayer"
although most often it is only the first few lines that people know. The
following is the complete text as he is said to have written it:</i></span></b></div><p></p></div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">God, give me grace to accept with serenity</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">the things that cannot be changed,</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">Courage to change the things</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">which should be changed,</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">and the Wisdom to distinguish</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">the one from the other.</span></span></i></b></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">Living one day at a time,</span></span></i></b></div><b style="font-style: italic;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">
Enjoying one moment at a time,<br />
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,</span></span></i></b></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">Taking, as Jesus did,</span></span></i></b></div><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">
This sinful world as it is,<br />
Not as I would have it,<br /></span></span></i></b><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">
Trusting that You will make all things right,</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">If I surrender to Your will,</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.</span></span></i></b></div><p></p></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><br /><span style="color: #351c75; font-style: italic;">All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Leeosophy@gmail.com
</span></b><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-11823812812856274372024-02-27T08:24:00.000-05:002024-02-27T08:24:29.703-05:00Meditation Moment for Lent ~ Day 12: Give Up, Take on, Pray '24<div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><b><i>February 27, 2024 ~ 2nd Tuesday in Lent</i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: trebuchet;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #20124d; font-family: trebuchet; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUJKGFdQniVntcXFRVtuI0dPHufh_m0XfEM5zJ4Pe6Ke1ctFmkXv7cmHYMfq3t9nIX0eZ1DWR6XBkJOutuwKjuyYJCRjPwR7zgBQA7aZpIfveSqatt1wz2VGSIgP1-VgFK4j96_uWGePvvxq1-NjXMldu6ECiLlwTa9HRXDajFrdAViFTuEyydVKOXgGQ/s500/2nd%20Tuesday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2012%20'23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="500" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUJKGFdQniVntcXFRVtuI0dPHufh_m0XfEM5zJ4Pe6Ke1ctFmkXv7cmHYMfq3t9nIX0eZ1DWR6XBkJOutuwKjuyYJCRjPwR7zgBQA7aZpIfveSqatt1wz2VGSIgP1-VgFK4j96_uWGePvvxq1-NjXMldu6ECiLlwTa9HRXDajFrdAViFTuEyydVKOXgGQ/w347-h214/2nd%20Tuesday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2012%20'23.jpg" width="347" /></a></div><div style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento;">~ Evelyn Underhill</span></span></div><div style="color: #20124d; text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In a lifestyle so governed by cell phones,
"smart" watches, electronic “assistants,” following an average of 7+ different social media
platforms, job intensity, crazy traffic, bad weather, home
maintenance, laundry, grocery shopping, meal providing, school
events, exercise, sometimes church, sports tv, Xbox, online
shopping, all while wearing headphones for music or news or talk radio,
streaming video bingeing, all too rarely a full night's sleep and now:
AI! ~ it's no wonder we have difficulty turning off all of the external
stimulants of and in life and finding
a <i>truly</i> <i>quiet</i> <i>moment</i>. What are we teaching
our children? How are we <i>living?</i></span></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<div style="background: white; color: #20124d; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #381050; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Guardian of my Soul and Spirit,</span></b><b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #381050; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; color: #20124d; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #381050; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></b><b><span style="color: #381050; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
outside noise is filling me on the inside and shutting You out. I'm so easily
distracted by all of the demands and opportunities of "outside"
life. Please call me back from the brink of spiritual implosion. For
today, I will <i><u>give up</u></i> 15 minutes of external
stimulation and set a timer to <i><u>take on</u></i> sitting alone,
quietly, with no agenda but breathing in and breathing out. Yes, I know
there's lots of other stuff to do but I will let the thoughts come in and go
out. I will let go of the thoughts that want to stick around for questions
and analysis. When the timer goes off to signal the end of the time,
I will spend an extra moment to <i><u>pray</u></i> for
the willingness and follow through to look for guidance on meditation
and the development of an interior/spiritual life. I know
that I <i>need</i> the “inside” space, quiet, freedom, and connection
with You to help assuage the craziness of the "outside." I know it
will feel awkward at first but maybe if I just try on the 15 minute thing for
awhile, even if I have to lock myself into the bathroom and let the shower run
to keep everyone and everything at bay, it will help me cope better with
the other 1,425 minutes in my day. <i>amen.</i> </span></b></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #20124d; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<b><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: medium;">Evelyn
Underhill [1875-1941] was one of the most widely read authors on
Christian mysticism, religion, and spiritual practice in the early years
of the 20th Century and continues to be read today. She began
her writing with satirical poems moved to novels of heroic mystical
journeys, and onto readable treatises on mysticism. Her many books include <i>Mysticism,</i> <i>The
Spiritual Life, </i>and several well-received novels that interweave spiritual
themes such as <i>The Grey World.</i> She considered herself as an
Anglo-Catholic and was the first woman to give lectures to Anglican clergy
as well as the first woman to lead spiritual retreats. Recognized as a
theologian and spiritual director Underhill sought to reconcile the
spiritual realm with everyday realities that are in opposition to the Divine
but redeemed when revisited with a lens of divine radiance. Not at all
proclaiming reclusiveness as a path to spiritual wholeness she said: "It
seems so much easier in these days to live morally than to live beautifully.
Lots of us manage to exist for years without ever sinning against society, but
we sin against loveliness every hour of the day."</span><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></b></div></div><b><i><span style="color: #20124d;"><div><b><i><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></i></b></div>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com
</span></i></b><div><b><i><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></i></b></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-73444500975880271972024-02-26T14:56:00.000-05:002024-02-26T15:11:41.314-05:00Prayers of the People: The Tables are Turned ~ 3rd Sunday in Lent '24 Yr B<div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">For Sunday, March 3, 2024, Readings:
Exodus 20:1-7, Psalm 19, </span></i></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22</span></i></b></div></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHQYWzmpzZGW1W_4ruVSKcIgj1hl0JW9zXiopar5UgWPI7JEK455wz950u2PGNlzCWhTmF-ijcgaIK0n7sliN6DRvpIjBSF92kKpqLk59fmyU4JDUjPVLIlpPjgHlSU5szlNZ8O3xUVq3ozT52xs6MWDy2wxT3Je4XnvdH3bAWa7X2PvtjKiNmLAJZXHR/s500/3%20Lent%20'24%20Jesus%20drives%20them%20out%20of%20the%20Temple.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="500" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHQYWzmpzZGW1W_4ruVSKcIgj1hl0JW9zXiopar5UgWPI7JEK455wz950u2PGNlzCWhTmF-ijcgaIK0n7sliN6DRvpIjBSF92kKpqLk59fmyU4JDUjPVLIlpPjgHlSU5szlNZ8O3xUVq3ozT52xs6MWDy2wxT3Je4XnvdH3bAWa7X2PvtjKiNmLAJZXHR/w337-h280/3%20Lent%20'24%20Jesus%20drives%20them%20out%20of%20the%20Temple.jpg" width="337" /></a><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">I am the </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Lord</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;"> your God...you shall have no other gods before
me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of
anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is
in the water under the earth...Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy...But
the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God... <span style="font-size: x-small;">[</span></span></i></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Exodus 20:2a, 4, 8, 10a]</span></span></b></div></i></b>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><b><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></b><b><i><span style="color: #783f04;">The law of the Lord is perfect
and revives the soul...The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes... Let the
words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your
sight... </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Psalm
19:7a, 8, 14]</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;"> <i>For God's foolishness is wiser
than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. </i></span></b><b><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[1 Corinthians 1:25]</span></span></b></p>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #660000;"> <i>In
the temple [Jesus] found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money
changers seated at their tables…Making a whip of cords he drove all of them out
of the temple...poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their
tables..."Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!"...Jesus
answered [the Jews], "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise
it up"...But he was speaking of the temple of his body. </i></span></b><b><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[John 2:14-15, 16b, 19, 21]</span></span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Here we are at about the halfway point in this Lent, and the
first of the appointed readings for this week presents us with the Ten
Commandments. While we all think we </span><i style="color: #0b5394;">know </i><span style="color: #0b5394;">them, and perhaps
even memorized them as children, it's a good opportunity to look at the list
again and re-think our personal relationship with them. By digging through some archaic
vocabulary and translating it into current expressions, we may very well
discover a fresh perspective. Try this paraphrase:</span><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+20%3A1-17&version=MSG"><b><span style="color: #c27ba0;">https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+20%3A1-17&version=MSG</span></b></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. </span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">We may not
like it any better but it’s a way of seeing, hearing, and listening
differently. </span></b></span><b style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Look at a few of the many other translations and paraphrases
offered any time you are reading a piece of Scripture; you may be surprised at
some of the similarities and significant differences here and there and
discover a freshness in something old and familiar.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus later gave us what
seems to be a simplified version when answering a question, by saying that we
are to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and, to love
our neighbors as ourselves</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>[Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-29, Luke 10:25-28]<span style="font-size: medium;">. Yet to me, there is
nothing simple in those words of Jesus when we consider the entire list
of <i>Commandments </i>~ that is, if I truly <i>Love</i></span></span></b></span><b style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> God </i>and </span></span></b><b style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Love</i></span></span></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">my<i> neighbor
as </i>my<i><u>self</u>, </i>then I won't create idols or misuse God's name, or
covet anything of others, as well as all the other dictates including <i>sabbath</i>.
But it's always useful to revisit the original and consider how ~ and <u>if</u> ~ they
are truly informing our thoughts and actions.</span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"> We may not use the term <i>idol</i> generally
in today’s conversations other than tv talent shows, but here are some
questions I need to explore for myself: What are the <i>idols</i> that
get in my way of an active and conscious commitment to God? Are they the newest electronic
devices, excess number of streaming services, constant social networking on multiple platforms? Is it hyper-adoration of sports teams, actors, musical stars or other celebrities? Are they food, drink, or online
shopping? When does wanting something become coveting that becomes acquisition addiction? When is my <i>sabbath</i> time
ever spent resting with God? </span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i> </i>Not unusually, I'm </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">quite taken with the
Psalmist's language. For this
one I could put every word down in this space and allow my soul to float in the
imagery. The law of the
Lord <i>revives the soul</i> and <i>gives light to the eyes;
cleanse me from my secret faults. </i>Just sliding into a sabbath reverie
with these words <u>is</u> resting with God and keeping a holy time,
no matter the specific day or the hour.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"> In Paul’s writing to the Corinthians this week, the ending note of this small piece that<i> God's foolishness is wiser
that human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength </i>reached me differently<i>.</i> It's
unusual to think of God with foolishness and weakness but Paul makes it clear
that we are definitely not in God's league! And, Christ incarnate <i>is</i> the
power and the wisdom and the Word of God, the <i>Word was God</i>, as John’s Gospel
says in its opening [John 1:1].</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> But the real surprise is Jesus with a whip
~ wow ~ turning the tables in more ways than one! Bad day at the Temple for
those livestock sellers and </span><u style="color: #0b5394;">moneychangers</u><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span><span style="color: #0b5394;">.</span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"> This and similar accounts appear in the other three
Gospels, especially in Mt 21:12-17, but at a
significantly later time in the ministry of Jesus. All the accounts agree,
however, that this action precipitated the plotting against him by the High
Priest and his men.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"> Here in John’s version, the cleansing of the Temple
becomes the first <i>public</i> act of Jesus in Judea. The wedding at
Cana was a <i>private</i> event. The issue of the Gentile marketplace
in the Temple, for Jesus, was that it profaned a sacred area that was meant to
be open to all people, of all nations </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">[Mk 11:17]</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">.<i> </i>It had
become a convenience and a source of revenue for the Temple, and also, an
opportunity for corruption. Jesus wasn’t opposed to the sacrificial acts
themselves ~ as long as they conformed to the Laws, e.g. animals without
blemish, and changing the Roman coins with an image of Caesar (no graven
images, remember?) for the local coins with no such image. See below for the purpose for moneychangers in the Temple. For Jesus, this
was a clear desecration of the space itself. A purpose for this reported incident is to set the
stage for the transformation of “Temple” worship in a stone building, to the
living structure of The Mystical Body of Christ, people united with their Lord
and raised with him to the newness of true life, each as a “temple” of the Holy
Spirit.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"> When Jesus said if the temple was destroyed he
would raise it in three days, <i>he was speaking of the temple of his body</i>.
I remember my grandmother telling me that my body is a temple of God and I
should treat it with holiness. When was the last time I thought of
that, and, adjusted my attitude and behavior because of it? A conscious relationship with my mind and my body might just be a way to mindfully live into those pesky Commandments. A regular
attempt at a holy Sabbath could well do more than I expect, especially in days
of violence, hate-mongering, here and in our world in distress. It may just
reduce my dependence on the idols of my own human excess. I might find God more
present in my consciousness beyond that mere and too-often exclamation, Oh My God!, or
a dashed off prayer when the thought occurs. Yes, it's time for a few of my
personal tables to be turned.</span></span></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Click here for one explanation about:</span><span style="color: #073763;"> <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/money-changers-in-the-Bible.html" target="_blank">Why Moneychangers</a>?</span></span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Leader: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;">~ O Lord of Power and Wisdom, from the covenant given to us
through Moses, Your Divine Commands give us each clear direction for our daily
lives. Embolden us to change our unfaithful ways, to choose the desire to love
You above all else in this life, and to actively seek to fulfill our spiritual
destiny in the next<i>.</i></span></span></p>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> O
God of Glory
</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">RESPONSE: Revive our Souls
and Rejoice our Hearts</span></span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~ O
Lord of Power and Wisdom, quicken our determination to be heard by every
political leader on this Earth, in this Nation, and in this Community. Grant us
the words and vitality to inspire and require positive, life-giving action on
behalf of all Your people, especially those beset and beleaguered by war, poverty,
violence, and discrimination. We pray especially for: <i>add your own
petitions</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> O God of Glory</span></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>Revive our Souls and Rejoice our Hearts</b></span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~ O Lord of Power and Wisdom, restore
hope in all who are lost in the illness of body or despair of mind, and give
comfort to all who provide them care. We now join our hearts together to
pray for those in need… <i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">add your own
petitions<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></p>
<div style="background: white;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> O God of Glory</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>Revive our Souls and Rejoice our Hearts</b></span></span></div></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~ O Lord of Power and Wisdom, help
our hearts rejoice as the doors of Heaven open wide to receive those we love,
now alive again in Christ forever. We pray especially for… <i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">add your own petitions<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></p>
<div style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> O God of Glory</span></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>Revive our Souls and Rejoice our Hearts</b></span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~ O Lord of Power and Wisdom, we <i>pause</i> in
this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials… <i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">add your own
petitions</span></i></span></span></p>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
O God of Glory</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>Revive
our Souls and Rejoice our Hearts</b></span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">~ O Lord of Power and Wisdom,
excite and enlighten the words and meditations of the hearts of those who lead
us in Your Church, and, in our own. Draw us to willingly and joyfully follow
the path You have set for us. We pray especially for: </span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">add your own petitions</span></i></span></p>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
O God of Glory</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>Revive
our Souls and Rejoice our Hearts</b></span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">The Celebrant adds:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> God Almighty, You created each of
us as a living temple to embody the love of You, our neighbors, and, our <u>selves</u>.
Cleanse us from our secret faults and shield us from the lure of everyday idols
in this earthly life. Lift our hearts and give light to our eyes, as we rejoice
in Your steadfast Presence and eternal love for us all. We ask through Your
power and wisdom in Jesus our Christ; and the faith-giving fire of the Holy
Spirit; who together with You, reign as One God, forever and ever. <b>Amen.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: </span><span>Leeosophy@gmail.com
</span></span></b><div><b><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></b></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-59855625703576956252024-02-26T09:29:00.002-05:002024-02-26T09:29:28.991-05:00Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 11: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24<div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>February 26, 2024, 2nd Monday in Lent</i></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmGqZ_f52Tcn0KTrIJBGk7hLw9wK4h1jrTKqjQWGejTLTJLIW-nJrtVYmDWoqZWud2tgoK0OGhQkBEyzGMpxa7pBJXgbnUvuCpty-lJZ4MMLv3uqxZ2xbNfIbNiIHcu7xwiNXDU82GS4X_AtzNyJQeoREoN9CDJ0ZnawtznFqJqsTmeJMyqG-bTwf34vx/s409/Henri%20Nouwen%20Lent%20Day%2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="409" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmGqZ_f52Tcn0KTrIJBGk7hLw9wK4h1jrTKqjQWGejTLTJLIW-nJrtVYmDWoqZWud2tgoK0OGhQkBEyzGMpxa7pBJXgbnUvuCpty-lJZ4MMLv3uqxZ2xbNfIbNiIHcu7xwiNXDU82GS4X_AtzNyJQeoREoN9CDJ0ZnawtznFqJqsTmeJMyqG-bTwf34vx/s320/Henri%20Nouwen%20Lent%20Day%2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h3 align="center" style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento;">The Rev, Henri J. Nouwen</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, serif;">When suddenly you seem to lose all you thought you had gained, do not despair. You must expect setbacks and regressions. Don't say to yourself "All is lost. I have to start all over again." This is not true. What you have gained you have gained....When you return to the road, you return to the place where you left it, not to where you started</span></i></strong><strong style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;">.</span></i></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: large;"> ~ </span><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">~ Henri Nouwen </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">1932-1996</span><span><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></span></span></b></p><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We all have or will have or know people who have those moments in life ~ the loss of someone dearly loved and integral to one's everyday life, a job loss, significant health challenges, or whatever causes one to fall into hopelessness. There is a time and a need to grieve these losses and be surrounded by those who care for us and who give us hope. We need to take the time it takes yet not grieve for the sake of grief. Seeking the help we need when we realize that we have fallen into despair is important and necessary and <u>not</u> a sign of weakness. Life is precious and short; we must <u>live</u> for those who loved us and want us to thrive as they now, in this life, cannot. We can rejoin the road of this life even if we are limping and bruised. The sun <i>will</i> shine again <i>when we <u>let</u> it</i>.</span></span></b></div><div><b><span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Dear God of my wounded heart,</span><span><br /></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">You know the </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">times when it </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">was</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> all I c</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">ould</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> do to open my eyes and face another day and when I longed to hide myself in the black of night that matched the darkness of my grief. Give me the eyes to see when another is in the merciless grip of heart-felt pain and sorrow and let me be a quiet comforting presence of hope. For today I will <em><u>give up</u></em> living in the shadow of yesterday and <em><u>take on</u></em> living in the light of today. I <em><u>pray</u></em><em> </em>for the peace to walk down my road, give encouragement to others, and live my life giving thanks for each breath I am given, and in thanksgiving for those no longer here who want my heart to smile again and often. <em>amen.</em></span></span><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><em><br /></em></span></b></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: #333333;">A Dutch-born Catholic Priest with a doctorate in Psychology, Henri Nouwen was a prolific writer on the subject of spirituality. He wrestled with clinical depression throughout his life and it informed his abilities for his writing, teaching, and pastoral care. After teaching appointments with The Menninger Clinic, University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School, he accepted the position of Pastor for a L'Arche Community for the developmentally disabled near Toronto, Canada. His books such as <em>Wounded Healer</em>, <em>The Way of the Heart</em>, and <em>The Return of the Prodigal Son </em>remain widely read and deeply held by people of all faith expressions.</span></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: times;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; font-size: 18pt;"></span></p><div><br /></div><h3 style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; font-size: 11pt;"><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></span><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><strong><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: red;">*</span></strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; font-size: 11pt;">A Dutch-born Catholic Priest with a doctorate in Psychology, Henri Nouwen was a prolific writer on the subject of spirituality. He wrestled with clinical depression throughout his life and it informed his abilities for his writing, teaching, and pastoral care. After teaching appointments with The Menninger Clinic, University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School, he accepted the position of Pastor for a L'Arche Community for the developmentally disabled near Toronto, Canada. His books such as <em>Wounded Healer</em>, <em>The Way of the Heart</em>, and <em>The Return of the Prodigal Son </em>remain widely read and deeply held by people of all faith expressions.</span></b></p></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com
Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-34186710360540792292024-02-23T18:26:00.001-05:002024-02-24T08:02:16.690-05:00Meditation Moment in Lent: Give Up, Take On, Pray ~ Day 10 '24<div><h3 style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif;">For February 24, 2024, 2<sup>nd</sup>
Saturday in Lent, Day 10</span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></h3></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacdRFhojWRvhwnEmOe-wbBJebhGO8fYTV2t4x2FA7ac2puFYA5snlwNV3CZK-7lW2HH0RSsoOvvSvaitfoucNe6YOsVybdXuu_DF8069ywPn4pMymhIQwMS9EX5oXZIXVxtlIknpSWctLMIDF2_Qlfw6pVM5beUEwT49IdPranjUt_FJ0UF9dOySGOJLx/s1600/2nd%20Friday%20in%20Lent%20Day%209%20'23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacdRFhojWRvhwnEmOe-wbBJebhGO8fYTV2t4x2FA7ac2puFYA5snlwNV3CZK-7lW2HH0RSsoOvvSvaitfoucNe6YOsVybdXuu_DF8069ywPn4pMymhIQwMS9EX5oXZIXVxtlIknpSWctLMIDF2_Qlfw6pVM5beUEwT49IdPranjUt_FJ0UF9dOySGOJLx/w374-h229/2nd%20Friday%20in%20Lent%20Day%209%20'23.jpg" width="374" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h3 style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Crimson Text;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>I do not ask my students at Riverbend Maximum Security
Prison<br /> </strong><strong>about their spirituality — I would not intrude on something
so personal.<br /> </strong><strong>On occasion, however, they do share their views with me.<br /> </strong><strong>For a number of them, perhaps for all, the class creates a
setting where,<br /> </strong><strong>as one student put it, “For two hours a week, we are no
longer prisoners."</strong></span><strong style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></strong></span><em><b><span style="font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span><span style="color: #2f5496;"> </span><br /></span></b></em><span style="font-size: medium;"><em><b><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;">~ Dr. Amy-Jill Levine</span></b></em><em><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;">*</span></b></em></span> </h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #1f4e79;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> What does it mean to be a prisoner of
unexamined faith? Have you ever asked yourself, "What exactly
do I believe about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and/or the Bible, the rules and
expectations of my particular religious affiliation and practice, and, perhaps
more importantly, <em>why</em> do
I believe or accept it? </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> What or who has influenced you in your beliefs?
Maybe you do have questions but aren’t sure who or how to
ask. Sometimes it is just easier to go with the flow, follow the
crowd, and just believe what an authority figure tells you is correct,
especially if they’re ordained and/or are extremely persuasive. But Lent is a
time to begin to look more closely. </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> There are no easy answers but within a
trusting community, there are great opportunities to examine your absolutes,
your maybes, your confusions, and your questions. Maybe you’re curious
about other denominations and even other faiths and practices, how they are
different and similar yet not certain where to look for dependable and
trustworthy information. Ask a librarian, search online, read several articles
or books on the same subject by different authors with different backgrounds
and credentials to think about. Perhaps you've examined your faith in the past
and are confident in all that you believe, great! Yet now and then it is useful
to review as in the grocery or hardware store list updates; some things
retained, some things crossed off, some new things added. Think about finding
or beginning a reading group to discuss, agreeing first that agreement on content
isn’t necessary and will not be forced. </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> Lent is the perfect time to check in
with yourself again for some self-examination and discovery of what it means to
oneself to be "<em>faith-</em><u>full</u>"
even with certainties, doubts, questions, and uncertainties that linger and
change.</span></b></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>We have heard with our own ears, O God,</b><b><br />
</b><b> our ancestors have told us,</b><b><br />
</b><b>What deeds you performed in their days,</b><b><br />
</b><b> in the days of old</b></span><strong style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">**</span></span></strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><strong> </strong></span><b style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">~</b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">And, Dear God, those stories are so important in our faith journey and
yet, there seems to be so much conflicting information, differing opinions ~ go
this way, that's right, that's wrong, don't ask...I get confused. She said/he
said/they say, and I like all of those people, how can they think so
differently? I think I know what I believe about all the
important things but I'm not always sure why or if what I believe is the
right thing given all the shouting and controversies. Another moment for a
long, slow, deep, breath... Today I will <em><u>give up</u></em> going
through the motions of believing that I completely understand my
faith. I will <em><u>take on</u></em> asking people I trust how to begin to sort out
what I really believe and<em> </em><strong>why</strong>. I will <em><u>pray</u></em> for
an open mind and for the opening of the gates of my heart and soul to allow for
changes in thought if they should appear; for the open-heart and mind to allow others to decide for themselves; and also for the patience to accept
that my journey of examined faith will ebb and flow with doubt and
certainty as long as my earthly life. <em>amen.</em></span></b></div><div style="color: #4803ae; text-align: left;"><b><em><br /></em></b></div><div style="color: #4803ae; text-align: left;"><b><em><br /></em></b></div></b></span><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></span></strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, Professor of New Testament and Jewish
Studies at Vanderbilt University School of Divinity. She self-describes
as a "Yankee Jewish feminist who teaches in a predominantly
Protestant divinity school in the buckle of the Bible Belt," Levine
"combines historical-critical rigor, literary-critical sensitivity, and a
frequent dash of humor with a commitment to eliminating </b><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism" title="Antisemitism"><span style="color: black;">antisemitic</span></a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexism" title="Sexism"><span style="color: black;">sexist</span></a>,
and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosexism" title="Heterosexism"><span style="color: black;">homophobic</span></a></b><b> theologies."</b></span></div>
<p></p>
<strong><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Crimson Text", serif; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">*</span></span></strong><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;">Psalm
44:1 </span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;">NRSV</span></b></div></strong></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b><span style="color: #20124d;"><i>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact:</i> Leeosophy@gmail.com
</span></b><div><b><i><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></i></b></div>Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986720029515681075.post-36768291791307593382024-02-23T10:05:00.004-05:002024-02-23T10:05:43.136-05:00Meditation Moment in Lent, Day 9: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24 <div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #163e64; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #163E64; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=90000 lumo=10000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 230;">Second
Friday in Lent ~ February 23, 2024</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #163e64; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #163E64; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=90000 lumo=10000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 230;"><br /></span></i></b></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="color: #163e64; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #163E64; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=90000 lumo=10000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 230;"></span></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dQkhspIUdbJIVdQvvBd6yq-HLt8BOY4tWm1HgE1QY_CfsXPo3kCRKD9jV4PwPP9PDvYC_HJbzVZF-GijdOL4kUfNP3Zu19_XQunXw-jEoCoKq-OyujZE22PuROvAVtYaChVhY3OVUxQmxrH04kJYeHpCmJQlMhyphenhyphenSwvcRyUFhHxhtXSIzVt4zwWwUtsG8/s1200/2nd%20Saturday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2010%20'23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dQkhspIUdbJIVdQvvBd6yq-HLt8BOY4tWm1HgE1QY_CfsXPo3kCRKD9jV4PwPP9PDvYC_HJbzVZF-GijdOL4kUfNP3Zu19_XQunXw-jEoCoKq-OyujZE22PuROvAVtYaChVhY3OVUxQmxrH04kJYeHpCmJQlMhyphenhyphenSwvcRyUFhHxhtXSIzVt4zwWwUtsG8/w351-h195/2nd%20Saturday%20in%20Lent%20Day%2010%20'23.jpg" width="351" /></a><b><span style="color: #50164a; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></i></b></div><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #50164a; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I really only love God as much as the person I love the least.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: Georgia, serif;">~ Dorothy
Day</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, serif;">*</span></b><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> 1897-1980</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
How often do you talk about God in your everyday life?
There are many people, good church-going folks, who have difficulty discussing
God, Jesus, religion, and/or spirituality in "normal"
conversation. It's one of the taboos of polite conversation learned
early: "Never discuss religion or politics," ostensibly because it
leads to conflict and discomfort in relationships.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
Perhaps it sets us up for debates on right and wrong theologies. Maybe
there's an element of proselytizing that we are anxious about giving or
receiving. Or it's just a matter of appropriate time and place. Yet
those days seem to be gone, at least for now. Social and Communications Media
are awash in religious and political debate and diatribe that push away as many
as it draws in. We, as a people, seem to have lost sight of the difference
between debate and dialogue. In formal debate, one argues one’s position against
another’s differing position. Someone wins, someone loses. In dialogue, we
discuss our position with each other being open to one or both of us changing
our minds somewhat or not at all, and walking away accepting your position for
you, mine for me, with no loser or winner, simply remaining friends.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> What about
privately ~ to yourself? Do you talk <i>to</i> God ~ in joy and
thanksgiving, blame and anger, frustration and supplication? When is
it <i>right</i> for you to talk <i>about</i> God? </span></span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #4c216d; font-family: Georgia, serif;">O God, Holder of my
soul, <br />
I come to You in my quiet
and alone time to speak of needs and wants, for myself and for
others. I speak to You during worship along with all
the others as we lift our voices in prayer and response. But speaking
about You to others outside of the Church's footprint has
never come easy to me. I worry too much about not knowing
enough to discuss or fend off debate, or being perceived as some kind of
"holy roller." You don't need me to plead Your cause but I
would like to be less constricted in doing so. For today, I will <i><u>give
up</u></i> being embarrassed in talking about my relationship with You. I
will <i><u>take on</u></i> finding at least one moment, as a
start, outside of Church, to say some small thing about my relationship
with You in a conversation with another person, even if only in a casual
remark. I <i><u>pray</u></i> to You for the right words at the
right moment, and, for me to make things less difficult for myself and
others as You would have them be. A<i>men.</i></span></b><span style="color: #4c216d; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Crimson Text", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span> </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, serif;">*</span></b><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Dorothy
Day was a primary founder of the Catholic Worker Movement in the 1930s, a
pacifist nonviolent organization that continues to aid the poor today. She
began and continued as editor of <i>The Catholic Worker</i> newspaper
from its founding in 1933 until her death, drawing contributors such as Daniel
Berrigan and Thomas Merton. She wrote passionately about women's rights, free
love, and birth control early in her life but in the 1940s, she became
an Oblate in the Order of St. Benedict. An oblate is a lay person
unprofessed as a monk or nun who makes a commitment to a specific Rule of
Life ~ often called a Third Order.<br />
In 2000, Pope John Paul II titled Day "Servant of God"
as a person whose cause for Sainthood has been opened. She has been named
"a person Worthy of Commemoration" in the US Episcopal Church whose
guidelines allow for an official remembrance in the liturgical calendar no
sooner than 50 years after death. Day's extensive biographical history is
amazing in its breadth and depth. She would never have thought of herself as a
saint, but she was most certainly a force to be reckoned with. Her canonization
process in the Roman Catholic Church continues, not without some bumps in the
path. If you are interested in that long and winding process here’s the most
recent update</span></b><b><span style="color: #80350e; font-family: Georgia, serif;">: <a href="https://cjd.org/2024/02/03/the-canonization-process-for-dorothy-day/"><span style="color: #80350e;">https://cjd.org/2024/02/03/the-canonization-process-for-dorothy-day/</span></a></span></b><span style="color: #80350e; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #80350E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Crimson Text",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com
Christina Brennan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08010750265041698257noreply@blogger.com0