Rains fall,
Flowers bloom,
Grass grows,
Sun shines,
Praised be God!
Summer unfolds,
Gardens produce,
Days linger,
Stars sparkle,
Praised be God!
Teams play,
Fans cheer,
Barbecues sizzle,
Communities gather,
Praise God!
Quiet pauses,
Prayers prayed,
Reflections stir,
Pondering heart,
Praise God!
Photo Credit: Nicholas Sorrenti
the song of birds awakening the morning,
the vibrancy of grass, buds and blooms,
the warmth of the air filling this day,
lifts up my heart in praise to God.
With St. Francis of Assisi, I give praise to God
for all creation which reminds me of God’s presence.
I sing with praise and gratitude for creation
pondering where it invites me to notice
beauty, truth and life at work in the daily demands.
With St. Francis, I cry out “Be praised my Lord”
for my sisters and brothers in creation
in this season and in each season,
for through them I am drawn closer to You,
reminded of the depth of the goodness in life.
Be praised my Lord for You are ever creating
inviting us to join You and to appreciate creation.
Be praised my Lord for You are ever generous
in the unfolding of beauty, truth and life
and for this I give thanks today and always.
Photo Credit: Jennifer R.
It’s a Thursday afternoon,
a gentle breeze whispers through the day,
it carries with it the sounds of
hammers building a house,
cheers of a rugby game,
a school bell ringing,
calling birds guiding in the sky,
wind chimes tolling,
Lord, you send forth Your Spirit
renewing the face of the earth.
It’s a Thursday afternoon
around me life is bursting
it carries with it sights of
a grandmother walking her grandchild,
flowers bursting with color,
coworkers stopping for a coffee,
an elderly man walking with his canes,
pausing in a nearby church,
Lord, you send forth Your Spirit
renewing the face of the earth.
It’s a Thursday afternoon,
the daily movements of life continue
it carries with it the beauty of
a friend calling to say hi,
documents coming together,
prayer being whispered,
enjoying fresh fruit,
a walk in the unfolding greens of spring,
Lord, you send forth Your Spirit
renewing the face of the earth.
It’s a Thursday afternoon,
a Monday morning, a Saturday evening,
it carries with it the unknown of Pentecost
God breathing on us,
God breathing through us,
the fire of the Spirit propelling us forward,
the fire of the Spirit enkindling in us life,
gifts given for each day,
Lord, you send forth Your Spirit
renewing the face of the earth.
Come Holy Spirit, today, tomorrow,
again and again in the ordinary,
again and again in the extraordinary,
in the known and unknown,
for the unknown and known,
for the world, for the earth, for all humanity,
for every tribe, every people, every place
Come Holy Spirit.
Lord, you send forth Your Spirit
renewing the face of the earth.
Depending on where you are and what day this is, spring (or winter’s last attempt) wind may be blowing in all directions. It is blowing where I am today and it a strong wind.
Growing up on the Canadian Prairies I have experienced a fair share of windy days. I am thinking about the odd pace and the force of wind. Walking in wind is a different type of gazing. I could not help but think: do I ever appreciate Brother Wind? This reflective poem is what stirred from my time of gazing of Brother Wind. If one can ever gaze at wind.
Is it a preparation for Pentecost?
Brother Wind why do you blow so much?
Is it to remind me of the movement of the Spirit?
Is it to whip me into solidarity with creation?
Is it to blow me around so I must bump into others?
Brother Wind why do you blow so much?
Is it to remind me the Spirit of God is renewing the earth?
Is it to whip me into the action of care for creation?
Is it to blow me toward those I want to reject?
Brother Wind why do you blow so much?
Is it to remind me you whisper truths of creation?
Is it to whip up into my ears the cry of the poor?
Is it to blow me in the direction of deep truth?
Brother Wind why do you blow so much?
Is it so I must look differently at the world around me?
Is it so I must cover my mouth so I can listen more?
Is it so I must shelter and be and take note?
Brother Wind why do you blow so much?
Is it so I may be reminded of the freedom of all?
Is it so I may let go of empty words and actions?
Is it so I may trust in the power of God and not my own?
Brother Wind blow where you will I can’t control you.
Brother Wind blow where you will I feel your invitation.
Brother Wind blow where you will but please give me space.
____
“Brother Wind” – is inspired by St. Francis and his Canticle of the Creatures
“Renewing the earth” – Psalm 104.30
“Care for creation,” “truths of creation,” “cry of the poor” – are reflective of Laudato Si’
Love came in the announcement
from the angel.
Love came in the stable
birth.
Love came in the preaching of
good news and repentance.
Love came in the healings and
miracles.
Love came in a meal shared and gift of service shown.
Love came in the depth of
self-giving.
Love came on the cross, every
ounce poured out.
Love came in the darkness of
the tomb.
Love came on a Sunday morning
with resurrected new life
conquering death.
Love met weeping Mary
Magdalen restoring her hope.
Love met disheartened Peter
restoring his hope.
Love met the saddened Emmaus Disciples
restoring their hope.
Love met doubting Thomas
restoring his hope.
Love meets us restoring our
hope,
calling us to new life,
awakening our true faith,
and enlivening our expanding
love.
Alleluia is our song of love
for Love has come
conquering death forever
and bringing us life eternal!
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Photo Credit:
Emmaus Disciples - Friary in Malta
Love has a way
of showing up
in unexpected ways
and in unexpected places.
Love has been crucified
because of those
who feared Love.
Love is stronger than
darkness and death
trampling it with
faith and hope.
Notice Love this week.
What will the ultimate story of Love reveal to you?
Will you let Love transform you?
Lord Jesus,
you are Love,
guide our steps this week
as we walk with you
from death to new life.
Amen.
Photo Credit: Grant Whitty
What if during this Lent we actually
Fasted, gave Alms and Prayed?
What if we actually
Fasted not just from food
but from all the other vices our body likes to hold?
What if we actually
gave Alms not because it is something to do
but because it connects us to a real person
and their story?
What if we actually
Prayed not because we need to
but with intention and in new ways throughout the season?
Would it make a difference?
Would the world change?
Would our hearts be transformed?
Maybe not in ways we want, but in ways we fail to see.
Maybe not in ways we want, but in ways we don’t want to see.
Maybe not in ways we want, but in ways we need to see.
This Lent,
When we get going along and hit a roadblock
we will through with the detours.
When we get so far along and want to quit
we will look to others for strength and encouragement.
When we get deep into it and feel empty
we will allow ourselves to feel this and pay attention.
What is meeting us?
Who is calling us?
Where is our heart?
Lent is not an easy season,
it’s not supposed to be,
but can we be brave enough to enter the journey
and stay on it the whole season?
This may mean detours, roadblocks, new paths,
different terrain, unexpected pauses or regular routines
but it will be worth the journey.
It will make Easter different in unexpected ways.
What if we enter the journey?
What if we are being called?
What If?
Photo Credit: Steven Brown
