Sunday-Lk. 1:68-79 The great prayer of Zechariah at the birth of his son replaces the Psalter reading today. I love some of its words at the end: tender mercy. Those who dwell in darkness, guide our feet in the way of peace. What circumstances would lead you to pray in this fashion?
Monday-Chief Seattle: "Teach your children that... all things are connected, like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth, befalls the sons and daughters of the Earth. We did not weave the web of life, we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves." Often I sign my emails: "Holding you in the web of my prayers"--meaning not just mine but those of the ancestors, the communion of saints.
-Kent Ira Groff
Tuesday-John Philip Newell-For everything that emerges from the earth-thanks be to you, O God, Holy Root of being,-Sacred Sap that rises/ Full-bodied Fragrance of earth’s unfolding form.
May we know that we are of You may we know that we are in You -may we know that we are one with You-together one.- Guide us as nations to what is deepest/open us as peoples to what is first-lead us as a world to what is dearest/ that we may know the holiness of wholeness that we may learn the strength of humility/that together we may live close to the earth and grow in grounded glory.
Wednesday-“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained in sudden flight but, they while their companions slept, they were toiling upwards in the night.” ― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Good Poems for Hard Times
Thursday-Martin Buber , said that our role in life was to help move the world just one inch in the right direction.
Friday-I think one reason many churches have become so anxious is that they have become utterly preoccupied with trying to become appealing to the ever-shifting tastes of popular culture,.. We are in real danger of trivializing ourselves into extinction in a relentless quest to be cool, or cute, or attractive to the lowest common denominator. Our freedom to be a people of God, our joy and our confidence rest in the good news of Jesus Christ, the power of his grace, forgiveness, mercy, goodness, justice and love. Christians have, as the old hymn says, "A Story to Tell to the Nations." That story isn't reducible to a bumper sticker. Despite the fact that it is the good news of the gospel, it will not be heard and accepted as good news by everyone who hears it. For some, it will sound like bad news, especially if they just can't let go of hatred or vengeance, self-righteousness or self-loathing. Nor will the gospel attract everyone, especially if we preach it intelligently and thoughtfully.Michael Jinkins
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