Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 21: Give Up, Take On, Pray ‘24

March 29, 2024 ~ 4^th Friday in Lent

I refuse to answer that question on the grounds 

that I don't know the answer.

― Douglas Adams*

     To be completely fair, the question What do you believe 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 YOU 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.” 

   Theo-logy in a literal translation from the original Greek means God [Theo] and study of [ology as in geology, archaeology, ophthalmology…]. Theology is, simply, the study of God and even gods and goddesses as in, the theology of ancient cultures. 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.?

   The follow-on to what do you believe about God is why do you believe it? 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.

Great Spirit of My Soul,

    I seem to ask myself What do I believe 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.

    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.    
    But...there are the uncertain parts. Is there anything You require me 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.
    If You are a Universal God, 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? 
    For today, I’ll give up the feeling that I “should” be completely certain of what I believe. I’ll continue to take on 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 pray for the wisdom to know that whatever I believe, You understand and are still with me.
    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. 

*Douglas Adams[1952-2001], English born dramatist, humorist, and author, is best known for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a comedic science fiction series of books, tv, movies, computer games, and plays. 

 

            

  

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Meditation Moment in Lent, Day 20: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24

March 7, 2024 ~ 4th Thursday in Lent

One of the most significant negative habits we should be aware of 

is that of constantly allowing our mind to run off into the future...

Carried away by our worries, we’re unable to live fully and happily in the present. 

Deep down, we believe we can’t really be happy just yet—

that we still have a few more boxes to be checked off 

before we can really enjoy life.   

~  Thích Nhất Hạnh* 

       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 today 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: 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. THEN we'll be able to...

     Take the moments you have in the NOW, 

and the THEN will take care of itself.

Dear God of the Possibly-Maybe-Someday Stuff ~
      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, s l o w, d e e p, breath here]. Ok, all right, fine! For today I will give up looking so far ahead that today is gone before I know it. I will take on 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 pray to be aware 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 Life is a gift, as someone once put on a tacky plaque that's why we call it the present. [You know, the magnetic one I have on my refrigerator to remind me]. amen.

*Thích Nhất Hanh [Tick Not Hahn], 1926-2022, was a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, 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 Living Buddha, Living Christ and Going Home, Jesus and Buddha as Brothers. 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.

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Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 19: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24

March 6, 2024 ~ 4th Wednesday in Lent

~ Julian of Norwich*

       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 Way 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 know.

O Great Nurturer, Comforter, and Soother,     

    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 but what about me? For today I will give up pouting about feelings of being ignored and inadequate. I will take on 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 pray 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.

   *Julian of Norwich, 1342-ca 1416, 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."

 

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Meditation in Lent, Day 18: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24

March 5, 2024 ~ 3^rd Tuesday in Lent

~ Vida Dutton Scudder 1861-1954*

   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? 

Holy God of Mystery and Majesty,
       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 give up 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 take on 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 pray 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. amen.

*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 Anglican Theological Review. For information on the beginnings and workings of the Social Gospel Movement click this link: https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/twenty/tkeyinfo/socgospel.htm

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Prayers of the People: Grace-Full Antidote ~ 4th Sunday in Lent '24 Yr B

For Sunday, March 10, 2024, Readings: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21

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 Lord sent poisonous serpents...many Israelites died...So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, "Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live." [Numbers 21:4-5a, 6, 7b-8]

   Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, and his mercy endures forever...Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. [Psalm 107:1, 19]

   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. [Ephesians 2:4a,b; 8-9]

      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." [John 3:14, 19a, 21]

    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.
    Moses, on God's orders, made a bronze snake to hang on a pole. All the Israelites had to do was look at the snake on the pole when bitten and they lived. God is not predictable, but as the Psalmist tells us God’s mercy endures forever. And, Paul tells us we are saved by God's grace.
    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?
    Have you ever thought or said that old expression: There but for the grace of God go 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: “Whew! Dodged that! 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: "I have more grace than that guy."
    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.
     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 may not perish but may have eternal life.      
    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.

T'was Grace that taught
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
the hour I first believed. 
Through many dangers, toils and snares
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far
and Grace will lead us home

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ 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.

                                                      Lord of Eternal Wonder

RESPONSE:               In faith we accept Your grace 

~ 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 In the darkness of deliberate human trespass. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Eternal Wonder

                                                       In faith we accept Your grace

~ 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…

                                                      Lord of Eternal Wonder

                                                      In faith we accept Your grace

~ 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… add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Eternal Wonder

                                                       In faith we accept Your grace

~ O God of Enduring Mercy, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Eternal Wonder

                                                       In faith we accept Your grace               

~ 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: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Eternal Wonder

                                                       In faith we accept Your grace

The Celebrant adds: 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. Amen.

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Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 17: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24

March 4, 2024 ~ 3^rd Monday in Lent

Prayer is a nonlocative, nongeographic space that one enters at one's own peril,

 for it houses God during those few moments of one's presence there, 

and what is there will most surely change everything that comes into it...

Ever traveling as we travel, moving as we move, prayer grips like home, until

 the heart belongs nowhere else and the body can scarcely function apart from them both. 

Prayer is dangerous and the entrance way to wholeness.

~ Phyllis Tickle* 1934-2015

    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? What really is prayer? It's a conversation with God, Jesus, and/or the Holy Spirit. Step one: Dear God... or the ever-popular Oh God!

Dear God,

       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? 

       For today, I will give up trying to pray the way I think is correct and take on speaking to You from my heart as I do to a very close friend. I will pray 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.

*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 Publishers Weekly. 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)

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Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 16: Give Up, Take On, and Pray '24

March 2, 2024 ~ 3rd Saturday in Lent

Psalm 23 speaks to us in the simplest of terms

that belie the intricacy of its depth.

      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.  
      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 (anoints) 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...
      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.*

Most Gracious and Vigilant Shepherd,
      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 give up 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 take on reading this Psalm carefully and slowly at least twice.  I will pray 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: The Lord is MY Shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes ME lie down in green pastures and leads ME beside still waters......
    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 Psalm 23.1, and use it so often that it will spring to mind as soon as I hear of someone in need of prayer.  amen.

Psalm 23.1  (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:

The Lord is Margaret's shepherd;
She shall not be in want.

He makes Margaret lie down in green pastures
and leads her beside still waters.

He revives Margaret's soul

and guides her along right pathways for his Name's sake.

Though Margaret walks through the valley of the shadow of death,
She shall fear no evil; for you are with her;
your rod and your staff, they comfort her.

You spread a table before Margaret in the presence of 

those who trouble her; You anoint her head with oil,

and her cup is running over.

Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow her all the days
of her life, and Margaret will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Amen.


*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.

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