Stations of the Cross With Mary

This year my Lenten discipline has been to "Pray Lent" every day with the Creighton University Online Ministries site. Although not Episcopalian (Creighton is a Jesuit Catholic university), the liturgy and lessons are similiar, and I've been comforted, challenged, and inspired by these daily devotions. Lent is over. It is now the Holy Days of the Paschal mystery. Today being Good Friday seems the right time to pray the Stations of the Cross.This year I've chosen to pray them with Mary, Mother of Jesus. As a mother, to see the crucifixion of Jesus through Mary's eyes has been a powerful and moving experience for me. What mother can't relate to the feelings and emotions she must have had as she watched her beloved son mocked and scorned, beaten and finally crucified unto death? I invite you to pray the Stations with Mary. Click here to access the Creighton site.

"Opus Verbi viriditas"

My favorite 12th century Christian mystic, philosopher, and abbess, Hildegard of Bingen, coined the word 'viriditas' to describe her belief that God's Living Water, the Word, greens the soul making it moist, fecund, and saturated with His love. This greening of the soul connects it deeply with its sacred source.  Greening the earth with His holy rain, God brings us to awareness of His presence in all things. "Opus Verbi viriditas" the work of the Word is greenness.

The beautiful song "Water, River, Spirit, Grace"  sung by Trish Bruxvoort Colligan and used by gracious permission from River's Voice. Please check out their website...Richard and Trish are talented songwriters and musicians.

The Breath of God

I'm in the midst of an online class entitled "Praying with the Elements: Water,Wind, Earth & Fire." The first element we've explored is Wind. Wind is the physical manifestation of the Breath of God which created us all, which surrounds us and sustains our lives. Without Breath/Air/Wind, we cease to exist. How much I take for granted this life-sustaining gift from God! The Divine Presence in the Wind is life giving and inspiring, or it can be the whirlwind of life's storms and sorrows. In all forms, though, it is God-With-Us. Occasionally, the Breath takes a visual form like these puffy, wind-inflated clouds over Cadrieu. Sometimes it can be seen in swirling leaves, billowing sails, or soaring birds. Let yourself be reminded each time you see such images that this, indeed, is the Breath of God cradling you and making your life possible.

As I read Christine's book that accompanies this class, there are many Biblical and scholarly references to wind and the Breath of God. My favorite (for today anyway!) is from Theophilus of Antioch:
   

"God has given to the earth the breath which feeds it. It is his breath that gives life to all things. And if he were to withhold his breath, everything would be annihilated. His breath vibrates in yours, in your voice. It is the breath of God that you breathe--and you are unaware of it."

Be aware always; God breathes in you.

Here Lies the Son

It says..."here lies the son." It's a niche in the wall that surrounds the village church. The son's name isn't completely legible because of the lichen and grime that accumulates on this old stone. Today we worship at the manger where another Son lies. This day is full of wonder and glory and joy. You can't help but be excited about this birth or about any birth, any child lying in his crib. A new life ready to go forth and make his mark in the world. It's truly a joyous occasion. But as we know the story only begins in that manger so many years ago. So while we celebrate its beginning, we also must always be aware of where it ends...with the cross, with death, pain and humiliation, and finally with resurrection.

"Here lies the son..." today he lies in the glory of his birth! But in the days and years to come, he will lie in other places, places not so loving or so safe and protected. Let us always celebrate his beginning by also honoring where the story ends.

Choosing to Say Yes

It's the 4th Sunday of Advent, and I've been watching and waiting and preparing for a month. Finally, I can begin to celebrate Christmas! Part of my preparation for Christmas this year has been participation in an online Advent workshop called "Birthing the Holy." During Week 1 we were challenged to 'Awaken' fully to Advent and consider what it means to be truly awake to God in our lives. Week 2 we began 'The Journey' to the holy. Last week we considered the 'Darkness' in our lives and how moving into darkness prepares us for moving into the light. This week the theme is 'Saying Yes.' How important it is to say yes to God when He opens a door for us or asks something of us! Even if He asks us to do something scary or opens a door into the unknown, the answer must be yes. Think of it... if Mary had not chosen to say yes to God, would we even be celebrating this wondrous season? Oh sure, God could probably have found another virgin teenager about to be married to an older man she hardly knew who was willing to be pregnant out of wedlock and carry His child. And then watch that precious child be mocked, humiliated and crucified by people who once adored him. But God didn't ask that other teenage girl. He asked Mary and she chose to say Yes! Inspite of the humilation, the fear of rejection, and the pain, she said yes to God. And the rest, as they say, is history...Biblical history, at least. If Mary was courageous enough to make this choice, can I do any lesswhen God asks?  Choose to say yes. If you need a bit of encouragement, here's a 'Prayer for Choosing' by Jan Richardson:
A Prayer for Choosing

What we choose
changes us.

Who we love
transforms us.

How we create
remakes us.

Where we live
reshapes us.

So in all our choosing,
O God, make us wise;

in all our loving,
O Christ, make us bold;

in all our creating,
O Spirit, give us courage;

in all our living
may we become whole
 
You might enjoy her blogs: The Advent Door and The Painted Prayerbook
 
I took the photo of the Virgin in the Abbey Church at Conques last September.

Down to the River

I was down to the river this morning just as the sun was peeking over the causse...

There I sang my morning prayer, accompanied only by the rustling of the dry, frosty leaves as the dogs sought out a frozen scent and by the silently flowing river carrying hunks of ice downstream.

 A single voice, singing to God..

"By the Rivers of Babylon"

in the cold.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Zion!"

Love at Christmas

Love comes in many ways.

Love comes at Christmas as a tiny baby.

Love comes as a generous gift.

Love comes as a warm embrace.

Loves comes at Christmas as a tiny baby.

Loves comes born of theVirgin.

Love comes in a warm embrace.

The tiny baby held by God's loving arms.

Loves comes born of the Virgin.

Love comes as a generous gift.

The tiny baby held by God's loving arms.

Love comes in many ways.

I thought this might be a Christmas without a creche, but I was blessed with this one that came in the mail. Thank you, Lila! (and Randi)