Ahhhh....says the earth, as she takes a breath in the emptied streets. Ahhhh....say God's people, hearing your voice, calling us to kairos, to the "point" of God's entering into our pain, our fear, our confusion. Ahhhh...say I, here in the refuge of silence, solitude, and simplicity. Bless you, Pen. AMEN.
Absolute joy to hear your words! Such a peace emanating from the screen and your story telling skills are just fab, totally made my day and serendipity I have been reflecting on 'What is God asking for me?' And you have given me the answer, look for the light on the path :-) I also listened to the full video with Noem Chomsky, that man is a legend. In addition I also listened to the Larry Charles interview on 'Humour in dark times' His take on Trump was so true, " That man is a sociopathic buffoon, The more stupid he is, the greater he rises in the opinion polls!" Happy Divine Mercy Sunday what is left of it. I hope you share more of your sermons xx
Hi San — I'm so glad that was helpful. "Divine Mercy Sunday"! I didn't know. How beautiful. I hope you and yours are being held and protected through this Valley of Baca _ you had enough challenges already! x
Hi Suzan — you have been so faithful to your mother. The Lord sees. x
Thank you so much for this. I have been so angry. My son's wedding cancelled, my daughter struggling with finishing her degree, my husband wearing full on PPE to work and my job possibly in trouble if old people aren't allowed out of their homes for twelve months. And that is just a list of my selfish moments. How are those poor elderly people who live alone going to feel about no clubs, no church, no bingo?But.. is there a possibility that this is a Kairos moment not just for the earth but for me? Giving me some peace tonight.Sorry for rant.
Peace to you, my friend. Anger is often a masking emotion — underneath there is usually something else like grief, or vulnerability, or fear. I think it is a natural thing, something we must accept in the face of such threat to life and such disruption as we are presently experiencing. There's no use telling ourselves to not be angry.
Thich Nhat Hanh speaks very helpfully about responding to our anger. Initially it feels overwhelming — we are inside it, it is bigger than we are. But then, if inside ourselves we kind of role play at parent and child, being the gentle parent who picks up the raging toddler self of our anger, holding it, asking it what the matter is, allowing calm to return, not blaming but understanding, then peace can return. By these means our peaceful self regains ascendancy and takes charge again — not denying our anger but holding it, cradling it, until it calms down.
Why we do this is because we have a responsibility to bear the light. The thinker and teacher Stephen Gaskin put it like this: "We are this season's people. There are no other people this season. If we blow it, it's blown."
I am so glad you and your husband are still okay, that your daughter and son and his fiancée are still alive and not in intensive care. I am so glad you still have your job at the moment. I am so glad you have your home and that your mum is in her sheltered accommodation. When I think of the people in refugee camps and prisons, I am so glad that is not you, and that you are as safe as you can be — especially given that your life has already held so much sorrow and struggle. I pray that you and your husband will stay safe and come through this okay, and that you will sleep well tonight, and find your way back to peace. xx
brilliant, pen, and lovely to boot. you've given me much to think about and to appreciate in this invitation to sit and think a bit. what i'm thinking about is that path. you know, the one with the light shining on. it's becoming clearer all the time. greater simplicity, more silence, loving attention to the daily round, less computer time and more book time . . . and much more. may this truly become a time of healing for all of us even as it is a time of being tempered by fire. thank you for your words and for just being you.
Waving to you, Greta! Thank you. I do believe that by choosing a path of peace and simplicity with kindness, we can raise the vibration and effect healing. x
Being at a crossroads, I think that we truly are, while listening I was reminded of the Canticle of Zachariah, particularly the last part, and very specifically, "And to guide our feet into the way of peace"
In the tender compassion of our Lord The dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness And the shadow of death, And to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Thank you for sharing a thoughtful, joy and peace filled message. Thank you for you ministry to all us.
Thank you — so lovely! It's part of morning prayer, isn't it? I mean, I know where it is in Luke's gospel, but it's one of the morning prayer regular canticles as well, I think. x
Yes it is from morning prayer. I just love the imagery that comes to my mind when I think of our feet being guided into the way of peace - I always picture the feet clad in Birkenstock sandals LOL :)
Oh! You have such a lovely voice and you tell a story really well! Thank you
ReplyDeleteFrom Marilyn
Lovely, thank you!
ReplyDeleteDMW
:0)
ReplyDeletexx
Ahhhh....says the earth, as she takes a breath in the emptied streets. Ahhhh....say God's people, hearing your voice, calling us to kairos, to the "point" of God's entering into our pain, our fear, our confusion. Ahhhh...say I, here in the refuge of silence, solitude, and simplicity. Bless you, Pen. AMEN.
ReplyDeleteHello, dear friend! Blessings on you, too. May you be well, may you abide in peace. x
ReplyDeleteOh, I do adore your sermon Pen! Marilyn’s right, you have such a lovely voice and manner; a total joy today, thankyou. Great message too
ReplyDeleteDeb x
Thank you — that's so kind! x
ReplyDeleteAbsolute joy to hear your words! Such a peace emanating from the screen and your story telling skills are just fab, totally made my day and serendipity I have been reflecting on 'What is God asking for me?' And you have given me the answer, look for the light on the path :-) I also listened to the full video with Noem Chomsky, that man is a legend. In addition I also listened to the Larry Charles interview on 'Humour in dark times' His take on Trump was so true, " That man is a sociopathic buffoon, The more stupid he is, the greater he rises in the opinion polls!" Happy Divine Mercy Sunday what is left of it. I hope you share more of your sermons xx
ReplyDeleteI will have to listen to this while mum sleeps. God bless.
ReplyDeleteHi San — I'm so glad that was helpful. "Divine Mercy Sunday"! I didn't know. How beautiful. I hope you and yours are being held and protected through this Valley of Baca _ you had enough challenges already! x
ReplyDeleteHi Suzan — you have been so faithful to your mother. The Lord sees. x
Thank you so much for this. I have been so angry. My son's wedding cancelled, my daughter struggling with finishing her degree, my husband wearing full on PPE to work and my job possibly in trouble if old people aren't allowed out of their homes for twelve months. And that is just a list of my selfish moments. How are those poor elderly people who live alone going to feel about no clubs, no church, no bingo?But.. is there a possibility that this is a Kairos moment not just for the earth but for me? Giving me some peace tonight.Sorry for rant.
ReplyDeletePeace to you, my friend. Anger is often a masking emotion — underneath there is usually something else like grief, or vulnerability, or fear. I think it is a natural thing, something we must accept in the face of such threat to life and such disruption as we are presently experiencing. There's no use telling ourselves to not be angry.
ReplyDeleteThich Nhat Hanh speaks very helpfully about responding to our anger. Initially it feels overwhelming — we are inside it, it is bigger than we are. But then, if inside ourselves we kind of role play at parent and child, being the gentle parent who picks up the raging toddler self of our anger, holding it, asking it what the matter is, allowing calm to return, not blaming but understanding, then peace can return. By these means our peaceful self regains ascendancy and takes charge again — not denying our anger but holding it, cradling it, until it calms down.
Why we do this is because we have a responsibility to bear the light. The thinker and teacher Stephen Gaskin put it like this:
"We are this season's people.
There are no other people this season.
If we blow it, it's blown."
I am so glad you and your husband are still okay, that your daughter and son and his fiancée are still alive and not in intensive care. I am so glad you still have your job at the moment. I am so glad you have your home and that your mum is in her sheltered accommodation. When I think of the people in refugee camps and prisons, I am so glad that is not you, and that you are as safe as you can be — especially given that your life has already held so much sorrow and struggle. I pray that you and your husband will stay safe and come through this okay, and that you will sleep well tonight, and find your way back to peace. xx
brilliant, pen, and lovely to boot. you've given me much to think about and to appreciate in this invitation to sit and think a bit. what i'm thinking about is that path. you know, the one with the light shining on. it's becoming clearer all the time. greater simplicity, more silence, loving attention to the daily round, less computer time and more book time . . . and much more. may this truly become a time of healing for all of us even as it is a time of being tempered by fire. thank you for your words and for just being you.
ReplyDeleteWaving to you, Greta! Thank you. I do believe that by choosing a path of peace and simplicity with kindness, we can raise the vibration and effect healing. x
ReplyDeleteBeing at a crossroads, I think that we truly are, while listening I was reminded of the Canticle of Zachariah, particularly the last part, and very specifically, "And to guide our feet into the way of peace"
ReplyDeleteIn the tender compassion of our Lord
The dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness
And the shadow of death,
And to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Thank you for sharing a thoughtful, joy and peace filled message. Thank you for you ministry to all us.
Peace be with you,
Bean
Thank you — so lovely! It's part of morning prayer, isn't it? I mean, I know where it is in Luke's gospel, but it's one of the morning prayer regular canticles as well, I think. x
ReplyDeleteyes, the 'benedictus' or canticle of zachariah is said every morning at lauds. thanks to bean for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYes it is from morning prayer. I just love the imagery that comes to my mind when I think of our feet being guided into the way of peace - I always picture the feet clad in Birkenstock sandals LOL :)
ReplyDeleteBean
:0)
ReplyDeletexx