A New Beginning

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Holy Spirit, protect, St. Augustine, stir, strengthen, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Somewhere along the way in my life, someone told me that “It is said…” (I always want to ask: “BY WHOM?”) No matter…It is said that “snow is a new beginning.” Perhaps that thought was occasioned at the end of a storm where & when everything was covered in white and all seemed pristine (ever new, unspoiled, in its original condition). As I look out my window today, I can see the logic of that thought and it puts me in mind of the creation of the world when “the earth was formless and void and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” I had just read a prayer by St. Augustine that might be just the thing for our reflection today. See what you think.

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my mind may turn to what is holy.
Move me, Holy Spirit, that I may do what is holy.
Stir me, Holy Spirit, that I may love what is holy.
Strengthen me Holy Spirit, that I may preserve what is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may never lose what is holy.

Fervent Prayers

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earth's children, John Philip Newell, life, love, love of the Earth, peace of God, prayer, Praying With the Earth, strengthen, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

I picked up John Philip Newell’s book, Praying with the Earth, just now and found two prayers for Saturday morning that seemed helpful. The first was entitled Prayer for the Life of the World and the second was a Prayer of Blessing. I imagined a great gathering of people praying the prayers together and the peace of God flowing through the earth bringing peace. May it be so in our time.

1. To the home of peace, to the field of love, to the land where forgiveness and right relationship meet we look, O God, with longing for earth’s children, with compassion for the creatures, with hearts breaking for the nations and people we love. Open us to visions we have never known, strengthen us for self-givings we have never made, delight us with a oneness we could never have imagined that we may truly be born of You as makers of peace.
2. May the love of life fill our hearts. May the love of earth bring joy to heaven. May the love of self deepen our souls. May the love of neighbor heal our world. As nations, as peoples, as families this day may the love of life heal our world. (p. 52)

Get Up and Get Going!

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Cynthia Bourgeault, full attention, grace of God, Hebrews, holiness, intention of peace, Lord, message, Peace, staright paths, strengthen, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, Wisdom School

There is no possibility of missing the message in today’s text from the Letter to the Hebrews. No time for what was called “lollygagging” in the old days. These are serious times that demand our full attention. Listen then to how we are to conduct ourselves:

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one is deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled. (Heb 12:11-15)

I’m heading out this morning for the northern coast of Maine, to meet with a dozen or so colleagues who will consider just what that striving might entail. With our teacher, Cynthia Bourgeault, we will strive to further the agenda of inner peace and wisdom in order that those qualities may be manifest in the outer world as well. I know it will be a week well spent but may not allow for daily postings. If nothing appears on this site over these days until next Thursday, I invite your intention of peace to join with ours. I cannot imagine a better gathering!