15 posts tagged “prayer”

Rick Warren's prayer

Jan 20, 2009
4 comments

I listened carefully to Rick Warren's prayer this morning. Would I be able to pray those words along with him, or would I be 'left out'?

Yes, I could pray with him.

Many friends were quite upset with his being picked to give the invocation. Why? Well, the injuries for LGBT rights on November 4th left many of us sensitive to insult. Yet, I held my tongue, trusting that Mr. Obama was not intentionally snubbing the LGBT community. I trusted that Mr. Obama was really doing things differently - not in the sense that a different voice would get to overturn the voices that prevailed the last eight years. But really,

100_1406

authentically a different way of doing business in the District.

Today, as I heard Rev. Warren's prayer, a counter point to the prayer of the +Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson earlier, I realized this is a great sign for a deeper, richer, more complex change in Washington, D.C. Perhaps, instead of just a new voice replacing the old voice, a new way is really coming down. President Obama really seems to be drawing together, uniting us around the possibilities of what can be. That is good difference, not mere difference.

As a gay man, I am frustrated with people like Rev. Warren. As a Christian, I recognize that he is a brother in Christ, and person I need to love, not just love me. I need to hear his witness, and pray for him, and with him.

The understandable, though petty, bickering among the LGBT community about who should and shouldn't pray is a sign that we are getting stuck, as other groups have, in our personal hurts, injuries, angers, resentments, etc. We are loosing hope.

In the grand scheme of things, it does not matter in the slightest that there was no overt reference to lesbian, gay, bisexual or trasgendered persons - God willing that may one day not be the case. There were many others who remained unnamed, but they, and we, are NOT invisible (and if one must, once can look on the white house website, updated at noon today) and see where they might stand - who really is left out, or welcomed inside.

What does matter is that we are moving forward, inching forward, in hope, toward a more just vision of the perfect union, the liberty our nation espouses.

We need to remember that at a time when the issues of justice in this world are so demanding, so pressing, if we step up to stand in solidarity with those who are working for, praying for justice, even if their vision is different from our, we will find ourselves propelled along that moral arch of justice along side them - as we and all of us together are changed - nay, transformed - into something greater than any of us can ask or imagine.

We need to remember, as to which Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery alluded in his benediction, that God's hands cover the whole world. There in the emptyness of our brokenness, our hurts, and cries for justice and peace - there is the resurrection event, already at work.

May it be so.

"... who from their labor rest."

Nov 1, 2008
Post a comment

+ Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord;

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

Today is All Hallow's Eve, but where my family are living and buried (the last few generations anyway), it's All Saints Day!

All Saints is one of my favorite holidays. Among the many communities I've been on various feasts, I've participated in a variety of celebrations. I think my favorites have involved bells.

At home, though, I use a candle. I don't know why I like to decoupage, but I do. I don't really do a lot of it, but I do like to take those cheap glass candles one can get at the grocery store in the Latin-American food section. They are easy, and just the right height to decoupage, adding various relics of my personal saints. I need to make one for some folks who dies this year - folks who were important to my faith journey.

Mrs. Julia Burnett and her husband met with me every Tuesday during the brief period of my preparation for

100_1861

confirmation in the United Methodist Church, back in 1987. She died early this year, and was, I believe, 92. I had the privilege of getting to visit her in her new home in Arizona a couple of years ago. As a 12 year-old, I was delighted to have someone think I was worth giving their time to - just as God thinks we are worth giving God's time to us.

Mrs. R. R. "Twick" Morrison died this year, too. She was a woman of strong conviction, and ardent prayer. I remember her from my years as a youth delegate to the Mississippi United Methodist Annual Conference, and her leadership, commitment to the church. She was what I would call a spiritual whipper-snapper, and suffered vicious comments, unChristian comments from folks who disagreed with her. I can't remember their names, but I remember her and her passion and compassion vividly, especially her support of me as I "came out" and my becoming Episcopalian.

The Rev. Ronald J. Barham - about whom I've recently blogged. Uncle Ron was a United Methodist pastor, a cool uncle, a loving and intelligent man. He went out on thin limbs for the sake of the incredible Tree of Life. He stood with those who needed someone to stand with them, because in the church, we stand together or die alone.

All three praised God, served Christ, and exemplified a life as faithful stewards of the Holy Spirit's gifts.

May their souls, and the souls of all the departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace. +

Waves rolling

Sep 30, 2008
1 comment

100_1688

Today I did not go swimming. The water was a little choppier than yesterday at the beach here in Mokule`ia. I did sit on the edge of the beach, where I would catch the last of a wave before it pirouetted and danced back out to sea.

It's amazing sitting at sea level, at the level of the ocean's undulations, palpitations. You can see just how magnificent and awesome is this creation. Some of the waves lifted my rather big body and I could feel the slight undertow pulling, wanting to take me away from the shore. It was an easy fight - the waves weren't that big. But I could imagine them being bigger, more powerful. I sat there for several minutes, just letting the waves remind me over and over again of my baptism.

Last night, in compline, I was struck during the profound 'silence' between the invitation to confession and prayer of confession (that time when we are supposed to review and reflect on our sins, particular and general). There was another pause between the invitation to offer our intercessions and the concluding antiphons/nunc dimitis.

In these silences, the waves crashed in and rolled out. They witnessed to me of grace and peace and mercy. In these moments of remembering our 'manifold sins and wickedness,' and in our prayers, God crashes in over us, rolling in and out, over us and over us... pummeling us and smoothing our souls like sea-glass... taking away the rough, jagged edges of our sin, our sorrows, our sadness.

100_1691

Many years ago I heard the voice of God whispering in my ear, 'Dive into my fullness and you will be healed.' Mixing the ocean with compline reminds me of Catherine of Siena, who wrote about swimming in the peaceful abyss of God's love. What a delight to be here on the Pacific abyss!

Praying for vocations...

Jul 16, 2008
Post a comment

Especially Sr. Lynn, who just took vows, and all other Franciscans.

100_0361

Eucharist: One, Holy, Catholic Church

Jul 3, 2008
1 comment

100_0277

Tuesday, the group from the Episcopal church was honored at the mass in the cathedral, but as known Episcopalians, could not receive communion - quite obvious because they were front and center, and noted. There was a lot of accomodation, and honor for them in the mass, but, yet, they could not "receive."

I won't criticize the Catholic church for their teaching on the Eucharist, but use this is an opportunity to point out the division in the Body of Christ, our brokenness as a family. So, after the pilgrims mass, we went out to the statue where we previously had washed feet, and there, Fr. Howard offered Eucharist for his flock, and we communed together in this holy place, a sign of our yearning to be made one, as Jesus prayed for us.

100_0278

During the mass, we sang one of the Taize chants, from the older hymn, Ubi Caritas. So may it be.

Prayers for Vocations (& Sr. Lynn)

Jul 3, 2008
Post a comment

There is a seminary here in Santiago that can accomodate 500 students, housing less than 25. Changes in the way we "do" church are inevitable.

Today, a friend, and fellow ordinand (think back to June 13), Sister Lynn, is, God willing, walking through the threshold of final vows today at 6:00pm. I left a candle burning for her, here in Santiago. Join me in praying for her, and for all who are making vows before the Holy One to dedicate their lives in particular service.

100_0303

Been a couple of days

Jun 26, 2008
Post a comment

A candle burns for each person staying with me - a few donations have been left, which I am using to buy food for the next people to come by. Rennie has been making peace cranes, and the shells are a gift from one of our guests.

100_0094

Most of the folks who have stayed took a bed for only one night, but last night and tonight I'll have a few folks who are staying more than one night. That has provided an opportunity to get to know them a little better, and provide them a place to encourage their lingering in Santiago before they continue their journeys.

So far, folks from Norway, Germany, Czeck Republic, Brazil and Ireland (via US), as well as folks from the States.

I've learned as much or more from my companion in this ministry, Rennie. His life experience gives him great insight into people, and his way of discerning about them is incredible, as is his generosity.

People haven't taken me up on footwashing much, but this morning the group let me wash their feet. I'm feeling a little more comfortable with - figuring out how to run my fingers across and around toes and the heel - some very blistered heels and toes. Each time I remember the charge from the Maundy Thursday liturgy - that which is done to you, you must do. I also have etched in my mind the photo of Pope John Paul II kissing the feet he had washed. It is a beautiful thing to have the privilege to wash the holy feet of a pilgrim

Introducing: Rennie

Jun 22, 2008
Post a comment

100_0008

Rennie is a good friend, a fellow pilgrim, and a companion in this work of providing hospitality to pilgrims to Santiago. He has been invaluable help, particularly in helping recruit pilgrims, while I've spent time interviewing pilgrims who are arriving and preparing to leave.

We enjoy a good coffee con leche each morning - I blog, he reads his motorcycle magazine. Yesterday we learned a lot, both from the interviews I conducted, and from his efforts and conversations recruiting: we will be making some adjustments to the program to accomodate the needs and interests of pilgrims. The response to what we are doing has been positive, though, and that gives me hope for a great summer.

Been too long since I blogged!

Jun 4, 2008
Post a comment

Well, it's been ages since I blogged, but I'm going to try to get back in some kind of rythm. Over the summer, I'll be in Spain and then Kenya. Will keep my heart open to what I see, hear, taste, smell and learn.

So, first off, why Spain?

In 2001 I walked over 500 miles on pilgrimage to a medieval pilgrimage site, Santiago de Compostela, the tomb of St. James the Greater (disciple!). In 2003, I returned attempting to lead a group of friends. Sine these incredible journeys, I have spent a lot of time rumenating on my own experience, reading and hearing the stories of others, and considering the differences and similarities in our journeys.

One thing I have noticed is that many pilgrims seem to not know exactly what to do when they get to Santiago. Some do. Everyone knows the main gestures (or most everyone) - touch this place, knock your head against that, hug that statue, kneel here, go to confession, receive at Eucharist. But then what? A lot of people, through training or instinct, know the importance of taking time to process the experience. Others just happen to have or make time for it. Some don't - some run away.

So, I entered a doctor of ministry program at Church Divinity School of the Pacific, and have decided to offer as my DMin project (a requirement for the degree) a retreat ministry, providing a space for pilgrims to "detox" or "decompress" after their pilgrimage. This is somewhat modeled on Keegan's explorations of the importance of a "holding environment" (Winicott) - the importance of pastoral and prophetic presence (or as the psychologists say, confrontation, confirmation and continuity).

I'm calling the retreat "Holy Lingering," as a reminder that the motion of pilgrimage includes moments of stopping to pay attention to the Divine Presence: where the Irish call "thin places." Keep me in your prayers.