Seen…

“…And in the darkness, before the dawn has begun, all that (Mary) finds is emptiness: there is no body, no beloved, only an absence that must echo the hollow she carries in her own heart.   And then, angels; and then, one who comes to her, calling her name. Confusion turns to clarity, and tears give way to astonished joy. The Magdalene sees.   Oh, my friends. It is Easter Day. Even in the shadows, resurrection is beginning. In the emptiness, in the echoing hollow of our heart, may we hear our name called with a love that breaks into our bewilderment and fear. May we know and see anew the Christ who comes to us in the darkness and in the day, beckoning us to begin again.”

 
 
Seen
A Blessing for Easter Day
 
You had not imagined
that something so empty
could fill you
to overflowing,
 
and now you carry
the knowledge
like an awful treasure
or like a child
that curls itself
within your heart:
 
how the emptiness
will bear forth
a new world
you cannot fathom
but on whose edge
you stand.
 
So why do you linger?
You have seen,
and so you are
already blessed.
You have been seen,
and so you are
the blessing.
 
There is no other word
you need.
There is simply
to go
and tell.
There is simply
to begin.
 

Quote: Jan Richardson 
Blessing: Jan Richardson from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons

Image: Pinterest

the lily’s quiet tear

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It is that day, the day when the absence of sound is louder than we can imagine. This is time in-between. All hold still, in shock, in anger, in grief, and for some in fear. Nothing can be done. Our world has paused.

I always wake on Holy Saturday and feel the strength of this quiet pause. We know the ‘rest’ of the story and it is easy to move ahead in preparation for tomorrow’s sunrise- feeling awash with new life. But we cannot move any faster than time allows.

I entered the living room this morning and stopped in front of my lilies. I noticed they seemed to be gently opening for Easter’s Alleluia. Looking closer I saw that two of the flowers had what appeared to be small tear drops at the tip of their buds. Certainly I had seen this before but this morning it took my attention. For a moment I could hear all of creation call out, reminding me to slow down and be present to this still, quiet day. 

A day like no other — a time when all stands stands still.

 

shaping tomorrow

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The mind that tries to shape tomorrow beyond its capacities will find no rest.
Be kind to yourself, dear – to your innocent follies.
Forget any sounds or any touch you knew that did not help you to dance
You will come to see that all evolves us.

Quote: Rumi (found in Daniel Ladinsky, Love Poems from God)

May I live this day…

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May I live this day

Compassionate of heart,

Clear in word,

Gracious in awareness,

Courageous in thought,

Generous in love.

Quote: JOHN O’DONOHUE
Photo: Ann Cahill

excerpt from ‘Matins’ – (from FaceBook page)

Shed a Little Light…

Feeling the heaviness and deep sadness for the loss of eight lives in Atlanta and now- 10 people in Boulder, I sit here with my tears. As these 18 people started their day, did they think about their safety? Or did they begin that day focused on the work that needed to be done, the care for their children and family and thoughts of what would come next — dinner, school, maybe even looking ahead to plan for time to safely leave home and relax — finally, the way days normally begin.

None of these people were able to experience the life they may have hoped and planned for. These tragic deaths have created holes in the fabric of our lives as community. We feel this loss and struggle to make sense out of what has happened.

When words cannot suffice, I turn to music. The words and melody often allow emotions to surface that my logical brain struggles to release.

This video was recorded soon after the shooting at Mother Emmanuel AME Church, Charleston SC in 2015. It was this evening’s music that allowed my grief to finally rise.

In honor of all who died in Atlanta and Boulder, I share this with you.

ATLANTA

  • Soon Chung Park
  • Hyun Jung Grant
  • Suncha Kim
  • Yong Yue
  • Delaina Ashley Yaun
  • Paul Andre Michels
  • Xiaojie Tan
  • Daoyou Feng

BOULDER

  • Denny Stong
  • Neven Stanisic
  • Rikki Olds
  • Tralona Bartkowiak
  • Suzanne Fountain
  • Teri Leiker
  • Ofc. Eric Talley
  • Kevin Mahoney
  • Lynn Murray
  • Jody Waters