The Journey Begins
Dear Members of the Parish,
This past Sunday, the gospel story was about Jesus fasting for 40 days in the wilderness and being tempted by the devil. Some of us are trying to give up something for Lent: chocolate, desserts in general, shopping, etc. These are noble goals and can inspire and challenge us to new ways of being. I also encourage you to take something on, whether it is making room for prayer at the beginning of each day, exercising more (take a walk with a friend, co-worker, spouse), or volunteering at Church or in your community. Lent is a time for self-denial and looking inward to see how we can be the best agents of love, healing and justice in our world. Below is a prayer/poem by Walter Brueggemann to set the tone.
Blessings to you on your Lenten Journey,
Miriam
Sustained by Angels, by Walter Brueggemann
from his new book “Prayers for a Privileged People”
Maybe we have not thought much about Satan, either in glib self-regard,
or in rejection of such silly speculation,
or in a way more urbane and benign than to imagine such a character.
Except that as we begin our strenuous Lenten trek,
we are aware that the power of resistance is at work in our midst,
that the force of negation is alive and well,
that our best will is contradicted by stuff that surges against our best selves,
that we, even we, are prone to our
several addictions that render us helpless.
So we pray in the Lenten season,
give us primitive freedom to take full stock of Satan and the power of
evil still among us in our prosperity and wealth and sophistication,
and give us primitive openness to your ministering angels
who are present with care and gentleness
and great nourishment.
In the Lenten season,
give us freedom to re configure our lives
as a testing field between the force of Satan and the food of your angels.
Enter our lives with power for newness,
deliver us from a sense of naïve mastery,
and give us honest contact with our vulnerability.
Enter the deep places of our life and claim us for your purposes.
We would be more free than we are,
more bold than we dare, more obedient than we choose.
We wait for the gift of your large gift of life
that will wrench us away from death
to the miracle of Easter joy. Amen.
This past Sunday, the gospel story was about Jesus fasting for 40 days in the wilderness and being tempted by the devil. Some of us are trying to give up something for Lent: chocolate, desserts in general, shopping, etc. These are noble goals and can inspire and challenge us to new ways of being. I also encourage you to take something on, whether it is making room for prayer at the beginning of each day, exercising more (take a walk with a friend, co-worker, spouse), or volunteering at Church or in your community. Lent is a time for self-denial and looking inward to see how we can be the best agents of love, healing and justice in our world. Below is a prayer/poem by Walter Brueggemann to set the tone.
Blessings to you on your Lenten Journey,
Miriam
Sustained by Angels, by Walter Brueggemann
from his new book “Prayers for a Privileged People”
Maybe we have not thought much about Satan, either in glib self-regard,
or in rejection of such silly speculation,
or in a way more urbane and benign than to imagine such a character.
Except that as we begin our strenuous Lenten trek,
we are aware that the power of resistance is at work in our midst,
that the force of negation is alive and well,
that our best will is contradicted by stuff that surges against our best selves,
that we, even we, are prone to our
several addictions that render us helpless.
So we pray in the Lenten season,
give us primitive freedom to take full stock of Satan and the power of
evil still among us in our prosperity and wealth and sophistication,
and give us primitive openness to your ministering angels
who are present with care and gentleness
and great nourishment.
In the Lenten season,
give us freedom to re configure our lives
as a testing field between the force of Satan and the food of your angels.
Enter our lives with power for newness,
deliver us from a sense of naïve mastery,
and give us honest contact with our vulnerability.
Enter the deep places of our life and claim us for your purposes.
We would be more free than we are,
more bold than we dare, more obedient than we choose.
We wait for the gift of your large gift of life
that will wrench us away from death
to the miracle of Easter joy. Amen.
posted by Miriam | 9:08 AM
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