My Heart Melts

I recently read an essay by Fr. Ron Rolheiser about the incarnation and the intentional significance of Jesus coming first to us as a baby… 

Why? Why doesn’t the all-powerful Creator of the universe flex more muscle? Why is God normally revealed more in the body of an infant than in that of Superstar? Why? Because the power of God works to melt hearts rather than break them, and that’s what vulnerability and helplessness can do. That’s what infants can do. (In Exile, 12/21/2020) 

And my reading coincided with the arrival of our fourth grandchild, Margaret Dove, all of which inspires a bit of improvisation on Fr. Rolheiser’s words: 

Praise God!!! 

...for our new grandchild!!! 

I cradle her in my arms. The tiniest fingers and toes, a gossamer mane, eight pounds and thirteen ounces of cotton. 

Your creation power is manifest in this tender baby. No might or muscle in this miracle. Helpless. Vulnerable. Intimate. I can feel her soft breath. Those big eyes stare at my curious face. I covet a coo, but crying is her super power at present. And it melts my heart. 

Praise God!!! 

...for this GRAND child!!! 

Amen.

Born Again: Spring & Easter

Lord Christ,

In every generation there are wars and haters, broken places and broken people. 

But to every generation You offer an invitation, over and over again, a standing invitation, for transformation. (Sanctification is the churchy term, or getting saved in the Bible Belt.)

It’s so obvious in nature during the spring. The earth is reborn, both flora and fauna. 

Then comes Easter. In Your resurrection we see the possibility for our own rebirth.

You find us in our winter and offer a springtime.

We are transformed to be peacemakers, justice seekers, healers, listeners, lovers. 

To impact our families, workplaces and communities - pushing back against the broken places. 

Again this Easter, I hear the invitation. Accept my RSVP. Amen. 

An Awful Day | Good Friday

We stand at the intersection of Passover and Easter. An Old Testament epic meets New Testament truth. Both observances reinforce the theme of a mighty, loving God at work - on behalf of his people - in the worst of times. In Egypt, God conducts a miraculous rescue of the ancient Hebrews. At Easter, God leads the rescue of all people in all times through the miraculous resurrection of Jesus. This is our Hope writ large. In what might appear to be the worst of times, our rescue is underway and assured…by Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

~ ~ ~

We come to a hard, a very hard place on this Good Friday. It is an awful day.

But a most Holy day, for sure. It is the day of Jesus’ crucifixion.

A day of deep pain: betrayal, injustice, mocking, torture…murder.

That God would stoop to endure this experience is testimony to 

our Lord’s solidarity with humanity.

Because pain is universal. It resonates with everyone.

Physical, mental or spiritual; for a moment, a season or a lifetime.

Jesus knows it, feels it, understands it.

Jesus grasps the cup of suffering with us. His spirit embraces us in our pain.

And the spirt heals, as the spirit loves. Yes, it is a reason to call this day good.

Amen.

Artwork credit

People of Promise, Hope, Light

Birthed in a stable, 

the mark of humility. 

Revealed first to shepherds, 

no hint of hierarchy. 

Yet extraordinary! 

God comes before us 

as an infant, 

that we would be 

people of promise, 

people of hope. 

Born beneath a star 

that we would be 

His wayfinders, 

God’s people of light. 

In a New Year

as our world groans 

for God’s restoration, 

how will this wayfinder 

humbly carry the promise, 

the hope, the light? 

Amen.

Artwork credits: top, middle, bottom

Peace, Good Will Toward Men

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” 

(Luke 2:14 KJV) 

Can I help to transform that proclamation of Jesus’ birth into reality? How can I live it? Isaiah 2 was in my Advent reading with this most famous prophecy about peace on earth: 

They will beat their swords into plowshares
    

and their spears into pruning hooks.


Nation will not take up sword against nation,
    

nor will they train for war anymore. 

Again, how do we make that our reality? How do we live that? We pray! 

Lord Christ, 

Isaiah is disturbing my holiday card Advent with God’s ideal, God’s path. It’s jarring, challenging.

Something to ponder about the last days, where Jesus leads us. 

It will be universal, inclusive: All nations. Many peoples. 

It will be free of coercion and conflict: Swords are converted to plows, spears become pruning tools, repurposed for cultivation and growth. 

Today, I declare a cease fire in the culture war. I pledge to disarm my social media. And I pray that we will lay down our weapons - figuratively, literally. 

Let us walk in the light of the Lord. 

Amen.

more Advent prayers

Artwork credit

About Job

Job has made several lectionary appearances in October. His is an epic story of many layers…with an epic message.

All Knowing, 

All Mighty God,

This is my take on Job…

Am I off the rails?

He loses children, health and wealth. 

The tragedy is never adequately explained. It’s the classic “why do bad things happen to good people?” It’s further complicated by a Divine foreknowledge. And the wounding continues as Job’s (supposed) friends offer gratuitous, misguided consolation. 

In lament, in despair, Job finds himself in Your presence.  

God is not distant. 

God is available. 

And that Holy presence is enough. 

In Your presence, Job is restored. 

It’s not about understanding God’s plans or God’s ways. That’s beyond our comprehension. 

It’s about knowing Your presence. That is within our reach. 

For some it comes like lightning. For me, much cultivation has been necessary.

And like Job, Your loving presence heals and restores, guides and empowers. Your presence saves. Amen. 

Artwork credit

Belief = Love

Love God. 

Love neighbor. 

The twin tenets of our faith. 

(Mark 12:28-31)

Sublimely simple, 

but “easier said than done.” 

We complicate 

with catechisms, 

books of discipline,

statements of belief. 

These good intentions 

often accommodate 

our fears and prejudice. 

Loving God 

is circumscribed. 

The definition 

of neighbor narrows. 

The Spirit reminds me 

of Fr. Richard Rohr’s* advice: 

In controversies 

of theology and morality 

always ask… 

What is the loving response? 

Consider a change 

of mind or heart. 

Be prepared 

to set aside 

our rules and regulations 

for love. 

Amen. 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  

(1 Corinthians 13:4-7) 

* - Fr. Richard Rohr