Today I started a new practice, again. I've tried this several times before only to be pulled away by some competing detail. Now I've incorporate the support of the parish office staff and my calendar to get me where I want to be. Today, I started Monday by a meditative walk to contemplate the scripture for the coming week.
Maybe this sounds simple. Maybe it is why not! Makes perfect sense! And yes, all those things are true until you put my devotional and sermon preparation time up against the urgency someones else has for what that person believes I should be doing at the moment.
The meditative walk began by reading the scripture passage for this coming Sunday, reading reflective comments by other writers and reading Daily Feast. I've mentioned this book before in my blog and continue to recommend it. (Its in electronic version from Amazon as well as hard cover.)
Then, I started out down the sun dappled road by my house. The beginning 10 minutes, about, settles my mind into my body. Then, as I walk I reflect on only one part of the passage. So the next 30 minutes, about, I explore the words that come to mind, what I think they mean, how do I communicate that meaning to others, and well as a series of other questions. Today, by the end of the walk I had a framework to begin reflecting on next Sunday's sermon.
In my reading from Daily Feast, I am passing on today's reflection on Proverbs. While I won't be preaching on that lesson this Sunday, the passage and reflection are offered here:
From Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word, Year B
Proverbs 31:10-31
This passage portrays a marriage that is neither egalitarian nor inegalitarian. This is because it is to interested in comparing husband and wife to one another. Comparison, whether of equals or of unequals, implies a kind of opposition; but what characterizes the relationship here is mutual support. Generous and empowering, it flows from each to the other and overflows the blessings on the family, the marketplace, and the whole city.
Telford Work
Reflecting on the every day, practical dimensions of faith. Practices to shape our lives each day as followers of Christ. Stories to share our practical experiences of wisdom, faith, hope, and love.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Prayer for this day
Walk to pray today. Walk anywhere, around your living room, around your car, in a park, or, along your street. As your foot touches the ground, give thanks for the earth, for your body that is connected to the earth, for the goodness of God breathing life into you and into the ground beneath your feet. Pray on your steps for those who are grieving, especially today. Pray for the all those who have lost their lives on this anniversary, in the wars that followed, in the illness and disabilities that resulted.
Pray for God's goodness in the new ways each one of us is now challenged to live with others we would call strangers, even enemies. Pray for the living word of Christ's life to open our lives to the new chapter before us.
Today, beginning at 9 am, I will be walking the labyrinth at St. John's with these prayers. You are invited to join me. Arrive before 9, after 9, whenever your can today to walk. About 9:20 I will offer prayers with all those who have gathered. Be there with us if you can. Pray with us wherever you find yourself today.
Pray for God's goodness in the new ways each one of us is now challenged to live with others we would call strangers, even enemies. Pray for the living word of Christ's life to open our lives to the new chapter before us.
Today, beginning at 9 am, I will be walking the labyrinth at St. John's with these prayers. You are invited to join me. Arrive before 9, after 9, whenever your can today to walk. About 9:20 I will offer prayers with all those who have gathered. Be there with us if you can. Pray with us wherever you find yourself today.
Monday, September 10, 2012
September 10
The mood is entirely different this year compared to one year ago. Then, we perched on the edge of a historic remembrance, can it really have been ten years? The mental images and remembrances as well as the repeated television images were so vivid of September 11.
Now, the mood is of fortified calm. Calm because the heightened expectation to commemorate 10 years is not present. Fortified because the events have folded into our national consciousness as well as our personal consciousness as a permanent part of our identity.
This year, September 10 is a Monday. Just like it was 11 years ago. This year, the weather feels like autumn and the sky looks like summer. This year, the pace of common life seems 'normal' with another national election. This year, people have a familiar ways of remembering. This year, we have matured with this annual event so that we can look back to see how our lives have changed and look ahead to anticipate what the impact continues to be. This year, September 10 means the next chapter of the next ten years.
Now, the mood is of fortified calm. Calm because the heightened expectation to commemorate 10 years is not present. Fortified because the events have folded into our national consciousness as well as our personal consciousness as a permanent part of our identity.
This year, September 10 is a Monday. Just like it was 11 years ago. This year, the weather feels like autumn and the sky looks like summer. This year, the pace of common life seems 'normal' with another national election. This year, people have a familiar ways of remembering. This year, we have matured with this annual event so that we can look back to see how our lives have changed and look ahead to anticipate what the impact continues to be. This year, September 10 means the next chapter of the next ten years.
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