May you be drenched with the longing for peace, and make justice blossom on earth.
~ Hildegard of Bingen
Quote: Hildegard of Bingen
Image: Pinterest
Link- Touch Holiness
Category: meditation
and we give thanks for the new year’s first evening
there is something very special about evening prayer on New Year’s Day — thank you ‘unapologetically Episcopalian‘
The Holy Name of Jesus
• Opening Sentence
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
• Collect of the Day ~ The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Is it better by word or action?
“The Magdalene’s Gift” by Ruth Councell.
At this moment nothing else mattered. Familiar with little sense of worth and overwhelmed with the journey to find forgiveness — she entered the home and embraced the One who had changed her world forever. Her gift in return was all she had — her tears, her precious oils and her own self — all offered to a man, a healer — one who brought her the gifts of worth and forgiveness.
Images such as these are icons for our own prayers as we seek humility and grace. The question remains — do we speak of our gratitude or do we act upon it? I share this link with you, may it offer you a way to reflect on this question.
only evening allows the time…
After another full day I still have a strong draw to this past Sunday’s Gospel reading. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem — oh, how I long to gather you as a mother hen gathers her brood…”
I see Jesus tilt his head with a look of deep compassion and the knowledge of the pain before him. This image became stronger as our choir sang — “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” — a peace that is still longed for today. With great care and edge of sadness, Jesus tilts his head. It would be so easy to look out over this vast humanity, put a hand in the air and say ‘I’ve done what I could’. Yet with a heart of a mother, he holds the dream of all it is possible and looks before the reality.
What a familiar struggle in any human relationship– the potential and the reality. How many times do we stand in that tension and feel the frustration, stretch to find the words, stretch to try and find the way to make things right? How many times do we feel the ache of letting go? To reflect on this reading — may give us insight into the emotions we witness as Jesus prepares for the last days.
Carrie's Bench 
You must be logged in to post a comment.