Rest - December 24, 2018

https://www.wikiart.org/en/le-nain-brothers/nativity-with-the-torch

“Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’”

-Luke 10:38-42

It is just about Christmas now. There may be a temptation, a habit, or an expectation to be busy or “distracted by many tasks”— cooking, cleaning, going to see family or friends, giving gifts, receiving gifts, perhaps hosting guests, deciding what movie to watch.

Given that, it might be worth pausing to remember that, in some fundamental way, Christmas is about rest. Rest, because the word of Christmas is "born to you this day is a Savior." There isn't anything we can do to bring this about; it is pure gift, all from God’s side. We can only receive it.

Receive the truth that God is perfectly joined with our creaturely existence. The fact that what we are, who we are — precisely in our unfinished, frail humanity — has been embraced and even assumed by the true object and fulfillment of our deepest longings. As Richard Rohr has said,"Incarnation is already redemption." In Christmas, we can see that we are always and already held by God as the infant Jesus is held in his mother’s arms.

The question is: will we become still enough to truly recognize this, to feel it, to let this mystery work its way ever deeper into our lives? For this to happen, we must rest. We must become still, like the holy family on the first Christmas. On this day, even if we must be a little like Martha, distracted by many tasks, let us remember that Jesus also calls us to be like her sister Mary, who sits at his feet and listens to what he is saying. After all, Jesus is the true guest and gift of Christmas and we welcome him first of all by resting and preparing room in our hearts to receive him who has already been given.

Post by John Kennedy

Go - December 23, 2018

Go!

“Magnificat anima mea Dominum”

“The Visitation,” accessed December 18, 2018, http://artimage.princeton.edu/files/ProductionJpegs/y1994-17.jpg.

We are the bearers of Christ’s love for the world.

A love that compels us to get up and do!

How can we love our neighbor if we do not go to them?

How can we be filled with Christ’s love and sit still?

If Christ’s love is in us, sitting still is the last thing we can do! We must go!

The love like no other, the love only present when God joins us, stirs our soul.

As the incarnate God approaches, oh so close, our soul leaps!

As John leapt in Elizabeth’s womb at the approach of Mary.

The infinite love of God is so close, we become restless.

We must go!

We must go, and proclaim this blessed news!

We must go, and serve the poor and homeless!

We must go, and feed those who hunger!

We must go, and clothe the naked!

We must go, to embrace the stranger!

We must go, and give voice to the voiceless!

We must go, and be present to the very least!

We must go, and stand for those on the margins!

We must go, in love as Christ loved us.

Is it daunting to go into the world with the love of Christ? Yes.

But we will go, for Christ goes with us.

Post by Mike Corey

Bless - December 22, 2018

Sculpture at Holy Cross Monastery, Hyde Park, NY, photo by author

One of the core values of the ECCT is to “Try On”; so last year, I spent a semester experimenting with the devotional life of the Rosary. Every Thursday, I joined the Berkeley “Rosary train” and prayed with a handful of my peers. One week, I almost did not go, but I felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit, and I sensed God saying that there was a gift in the experience for me. So I went. While I was praying, I came to understand that Mary’s blessing is for all of us, especially for us women. I began to think about all the women in my family history and all the hardships these women have faced. They are the unsung heroines of my family who were and are the strong glue that held and holds my family together.

So I began to get a little creative. For each “Hail Mary”, I dedicated my prayer to a woman in my family. Hail mother, hail sister, hail daughter… “full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Already I could sense transformational power taking place. I was choosing life, not death. “Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.” When I prayed this prayer, it meant for me, I bless your children, your future children, the fruit of your faith, and all the fruitful potential that God has endowed in you; I bless it and I bless you.  “Pray for us sinners…” This came to be a prayer of forgiveness- forgiveness for these women…for their sins known and unknown. I forgave myself for my sins against them, and I asked Jesus to forgive and redeem all of us from the consequences of the sins and the mistakes that have been made.

There are fifty -three chances to “Hail Mary” in the standard Rosary recitation, so I dedicated the entire semester to blessing and forgiving each woman in my family many times over, to set them free, to set myself free, and to make space for new possibilities of Grace in our family line. This Advent, I invite us to explore how we may bless the women in our immediate and extended families. Imagine what breakthrough we may experience in their lives, in the memory of their lives, in our own lives, and in our society by creating a culture of blessing and praise for the women whom God has placed around us.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Post by Tara Shepley

Pray - December 21, 2018

Prayer

Copyright majivecka

Look.

It’s happening again.

My heart begins to race.

Each beat becomes louder than the first.

It’s a feeling of fear.

They say that fear is not of God (1 John 14), but today the fear comes from my heart.

And, I am afraid.

I am uncertain of when my heart will fail, and I cannot guarantee that the flames of my soul (Matthew 6:22-23) will withstand the rising tides.

Will you come to my aid (Isaiah 35:40)?  And if You come, will I let You in?

It is happening again. My heart is racing. The tears begin to flow, warming my face and making their way to the floor.

I’m so afraid.

Afraid, that others may see my tears and afraid of having to retell and reimage the memory of what has led me here.

My heart beats further intensify, and finally, I like my tears I fall to the floor: First, on my knees as my face pressed against the floor. Some call it an act of veneration or of prostration but my momma nini calls it an act of total praise in honor to the One who loves and knows my name (Isaiah 43:1). My name is Shancia Ralna Jarrett and His Name is Jesus Christ. Emmanuel, I pour out my all to you.

The season of Advent celebrates and remembers the arrival of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Some commemorate Advent by reflecting on the wisdom and the blessings of God’s peace, hope, joy, and love, as displayed through the Life of Christ. It may sound foolish or peculiar to know that the God Himself or God in flesh had to descend from heaven and teach us how to love: how to love God and one another. Yet, it was necessary, because we may be our worst enemies. Many people throughout the world are victims of inhumane brutalities and acts of hatred such as violence, anti-Semitism, racism, homophobia, and extreme cases of poverty. These are human actions which lead to sin and the destruction of the body and soul. In times of fear, some people can only call on the Almighty name of Jesus Christ in the midst of fear and suffering.

I have discovered that Perfect Love is about acknowledging, believing, and acting in the Good News of Christ. One of the ways in which I do so is through prayer.

No matter what happens I pray. I invite you to spend even a minute in prayer, a honest reflection or reciting the collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent: “Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” BCP.

Post by Shancia Jarrett

Worship - December 20, 2019

Photo by Bill Burkhart

I am made whole by worship.  I want worship to be as widely available as possible. Maybe we should open thumbnail-sized churches like little lending libraries and give ourselves away. Our resources are secure because they are not monetary. They are a treasure beyond price: a story that reframes the meaning of our lives. Take. Eat.

Worship.

Holy Sonnets: Batter my heart, three-person'd God

Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you

As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;

That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend

Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.

I, like an usurp'd town to another due,

Labor to admit you, but oh, to no end;

Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,

But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.

Yet dearly I love you, and would be lov'd fain,

But am betroth'd unto your enemy;

Divorce me, untie or break that knot again,

Take me to you, imprison me, for I,

Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,

Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

By John Donne

Use your own words. Tell the story.

Post by Mary Barnett

Learn - December 19, 2019

Photo by Dylan Mello

   Each year Advent provides me with a lesson in learning.  Often times, I am guilty of rushing for things. Hustling to get to places on time, trying to receive some instant feedback, or wanting to satisfy a particular need immediately, but this season always teaches me a lesson in waiting.  I seem to just get a bit consumed and can begin to lose focus. However, every year this reminder in preparation and waiting has helped me in my everyday life. This waiting period promises that a way is being prepared for us.

    Slowing down and allowing ourselves to be open to learning about what awaits us is important.  It provides an opportunity to listen patiently within ourselves, take in our surroundings, and discern where we need to be.  When I allow myself to slow down, a whole new vision begins to grow. I love what we can be taught from this season. The changes we can strive to make, even though difficult, are positive, fruitful effects.  The readings we hear each week are one way that I have been able to learn to ground myself. Finding a local Advent Compline has been a way to teach me ways to access what God may be calling me for. This stillness in darkness provides a strong way.  I feel that I’ve learned the more work we put in and trust during this season of waiting, we will find the coming joy that has been prepared.

    As another Advent season winds down, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn through a continual learning of myself, others, and my relationship with God.  It is a blessed Advent season and I pray that we feel the presence of God throughout this season and the Christmastide.

Post by Dylan Mello

Turn - December 18, 2018

Embed from Getty Images

Turn to the Lord, repent of your sins, transform your lives, be prepared for the coming of the Messiah.

That who will be born in every heart repented and transformed. That is the Advent season, an invitation to wait, to prepare the way to receive Love in each one of us.

And thus, allow our life to be transformed. Turning to God and His commandments, leaving aside the things that perishes us and dedicate our lives to the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

What does it mean to turn to God? It means to take a turn from where we are to the face of God, the one who lives in our neighbor. That homeless person, that immigrant, that junkie, the elderly, the sick, that outcast, that single mom who must face the monthly expenses and who barely manages to.

To get to see all of that we must be transformed by that God made Man, Jesus Christ, the Emanuel. The one who once turned tables at the entrance to the temple, showing us the right way to do our Father's will.

Since I decided to follow Christ, my life is no longer the same, even if I wanted it to be the same, it couldn’t be, because light has nothing to do with the darkness. To walk in the same way of the Lord transforms us so we can see the big picture, it is a new birth in the spiritual life.

My fourth grandson Eli, who was born this week, is proof of God's love, a seed of hope that God has with humanity. He knows we can do it.

Let us take that example of Jesus of bravery and authority in ourselves and turn to the way of the good, of the way of love. Amen.

Post by Roxana Videla Olivares

The Way of Love - December 17, 2018

God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Copyright 212 west: the spoken life

During the season of Advent, our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has invited us to reflect on the way of love. For many of us, there are numerous paths to love. Some have found love through the sacred acts of prayer, blessings, learning, and worship while others discovered love through the movements of turning, going, and rest. Collectively, these expressions of love or the various ways to love have a purpose. In Luke 10:27, Our Lord Jesus Christ reminds us of the purpose of our love. The purpose or the object of Christian love allows us to, “ Love the Lord our God with all our hearts and with all our souls and with all our strength and with all our minds '; and to 'Love our neighbor as Ourselves.” Love, according to Christ, embodies an inclusive communal experience between the Divine and humanity. In loving God with our very being: hearts, minds, souls and strength, we become conduits of the divine character of God. As written by the evangelist in John 4:7-21, “God is love” and those who love God and their neighbors translate the divine will of God.

We, despite the harsh realities of human experiences, are beautifully and wonderfully made in the image of God through His love and grace to be beacons of love as revealed in the Gospels and through the Scriptures. As we celebrate the coming and birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, lets us remember to share our love with God and with our neighbors. Since the Creation of the world, God has shared His Love with humanity. Do you remember? It occurred through the breath of life and it was reaffirmed through the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the words of A.J. Russell, I proclaim that “I am Love because God is Love,” because I am made in the image of God and I am willing to testify of my Love.

Oh, what a blessing and joy to receive and give love.

Post by Shancia Jarrett

Rest - December 16, 2018

Kathy Brown, 1982

“God hugs you.

You are encircled by the arms

of the mystery of God. “

-Hildegard of Bingen

When I first joined the Episcopal Church in 1993, I was in the early phases of my adult relationship with our Living and Loving God, and so much of that relationship was new. Every Sunday night the church offered a healing prayer service and I often attended. Many times, the people who prayed for me had this overwhelming sense of how much God loved me, but I couldn’t receive it. They were nice words and thoughts, but the experience of God’s love did not penetrate my heart, although I wanted it to. One night, the prayer team felt compelled to give me a copy of this picture to keep for myself and to meditate on the image of being encircled by the arms of Jesus.

What I love about this picture, is the calm, restful expression of the lamb. That lamb looks as if it knows deep in itself that all is well. It is safe and there is nothing to worry about, because Jesus the Good shepherd is here. I know that face. I know that feeling. This is the feeling that I had as a child when I was being held in the comforting arms of my dad. My dad had big puffy hands and strong arms that padded life with love and protection. When I was encircled in my dad’s embrace, I did not have a care in the world, because I knew that I was unconditionally loved, not theoretically, not poetically, but every bit of me- body, mind, and soul was enveloped in and by love. Is this what abiding means?

Eventually, over the last twenty-five years, the love of God has seeped into the little openings of my heart, and sometimes it has burst forth like a surging waterfall, that utterly overwhelms me, heals me, and often moves me to tears, laughter, and silent awe. I love Jesus, and there is no greater rest than to surrender all my cares and worries to Jesus- to allow myself to simply rest, knowing that Jesus is providing for my every need because of his love on the cross. This Advent, I invite us to lean into Jesus’ arms. He is friend, brother, lover of our souls, our constant companion, the fullest expression of the Father, savior and redeemer of the world. God desires each one us personally, and has gone to great lengths to secure an intimate and personal relationship with each one of us through his Son and his Spirit. This Advent, I invite us to imagine what rest and surrender might look like as we are encircled in God’s love.

Post by Tara Shepley

Go - December 15, 2017

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Mark 16:15

As this Advent season continues, I am finding myself increasingly thirsting for the time and space to slow everything down. At times it seems as though the speed at which the hours, days and weeks are barreling past me with all of the wonders, commitments, bright lights and holiday celebrations that accompany them, makes it exceedingly easy to get caught up in that flurry of excitement and activity and neglect to take the time to reflect on the magnitude of the moment toward which we are all racing. That singular point in time at which the world would change forever.

But even as these thoughts of regret and loss flow through my mind, I am also reflecting this year on the fact that perhaps there is something else that can be learned this Advent. I am struck this year by the fact that as much as I am seeking the peace and quiet reflection that the birth of our Savior commands I am also mindful of the need to seize the opportunity to live into the invitation to GO! We all need time to slow down this Advent and ensure that our hearts and mind are properly positioned so that we might receive the greatest gift of all on Christmas morning. But I believe it is also incumbent upon us not to let that be the end of the story.

As children of God we are not called to sit and wait forever. It is on each of us to live our lives in the manner that Jesus has taught us. To honor Christ, we must lead a life that touches others with that same loving humility that Jesus did. It would be truly a lost opportunity for us to wait in the wings, keeping the wondrous gift of Jesus to ourselves, while at the same time failing to share Jesus’ love and forgiveness with everyone we meet. It is our call as Christians to live into our role as apostles and go out into the world wherever that call may take us to spread the Good News!

So as we wait this Advent, let’s not be merely interested observers. Let’s be the horses in the starting gate. Let’s store the energy of the peace and reflection that Advent affords to all of us so that when the light of Christ shines on Christmas Day we can become the beacons which reflect throughout the world with all the love and mercy that Jesus would have us do.

Let’s GO!!!

Post by Michael Southwick

Bless - December 14, 2018

Photo from CNN.com

This season of Advent is one of my favorites of the liturgical year and one of the favorites of almost all the families of this part of the world, since in addition to preparing for Christmas, the tree is bought, the house is decorated and the purchase of gifts for friends and family. It can be a time of stress and at the same time one of happiness since we want to show our love to others with a gift.

During this time six years ago, a tragedy took place that tore at our souls, the killing of mostly children and some adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT.

How can one forget that day? The uncertainty, the fear and the sadness that invaded our homes. To find hope, rebirth, understanding, after such tragedy without God would be impossible.

We asked ourselves where God was at that moment? How did he allow that to happen? Maybe we were even angry with Him.

How to bless God in those moments of difficulty, of impotence? How can we do it? How would those parents or children who had lost their relatives that day on December 14, one so close to Christmas?

I can only say that those innocent children were welcomed into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ, and they are surely praising Hosanna in the highest next to the angels in heaven.

Whenever we experience happy things or sad and tragic events, we should bless the Lord and have a psalm, hymn or prayer that helps us to be very connected spiritually with our God.

We should trust that He, the creator of everything we see and do not see, loves us and awaits us with open arms even if we do not understand why things happen

My favorite psalm in these times of sorrow is Psalm 103-1: 2

"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits "...

This psalm fills my soul with tenderness and although I am sad or angry or happy, it does me good and I know that God loves me.

In this Advent we must be prepared with His word by incorporating it into our everyday lives, so that by blessing others, we obtain our own blessings. Amen.

Post byRoxana Videla Olivares

Esta estacion de adviento es una de mis favoritas del año liturgico y una de las favoritas de casi todas las familias de esta parte del mundo, ya que ademas de prepararnos para la navidad, se compra el arbol, se decora la casa y se hace la compra de los regalos para amigos y familiares. Es una epoca de cierto estres y a la vez de felicidad ya que queremos demostrar nuestro amor a los demas con un presente.

En medio de todo este clima, hace seis años atras sucedio una tragedia que nos desgarro el alma, la matanza de los niños y algunas personas mayores en la escuela elemental Sandy Hook, en Newtown CT.

Como olvidar ese dia, la incertumbre, el miedo y la tristeza que invadio nuestros hogares. Como encontrar en medio de todo eso la esperanza, el renacer, el entendimiento, sin Dios seria imposible.

Nos preguntamos donde estaba Dios en ese momento, como permitio que eso sucediera, nos enojamos quiza con El.

Como bendecir a Dios en esos momentos de dificultad, de impotencia?,  como podemos hacerlo?, como lo harian esos padres o hijos que habian perdido a sus familiares? ese dia 14 de diciembre, tan cercano a la Navidad, dia de alegria y reuniones familiares.

Solo puedo decir que esos niños inocentes fueron recibidos en los brazos de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, y seguramente estan alabando Hossana en la alturas! junto a los angeles en el cielo.

Cada vez que nos sucedan cosas alegres o muy tristes y tragicas bendigamos al Señor, tengamos un salmo o himno u oracion que nos ayude a estar muy conectados espiritualmente con nuestro Dios.

El creador de todo lo que vemos y no vemos y que aunque no entendamos por que suceden las cosas confiemos en que El nos ama y nos espera con los brazos abiertos.

Mi salmo favorito en estos casos es el 103-1:2

“Bendice alma mia al Señor, y bendiga todo mi ser su santo nombre.

Bendice, alma mia, al Señor y no olvides ninguno de sus beneficios”…

Eso llena mi alma de ternura y aunque este triste o enojada o feliz, me hace bien y se que a Dios le agrada.

En este adviento estemos preparados con su palabra incorparada cada dia en nuestras vidas, de manera que bendiciendo obtengamos bendicion.

Amen. -