Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)
Happy Saint Nicholas Day!
Today is the day when we celebrate the memory of a saint we know little about but whose legend is a worldwide phenomenon. Even greater than Facebook!
One legend about St. Nick says that he would leave anonymous gifts at the homes of people he knew to be in need. The gifts were personal, targeted and specific. That gave me an idea that I would like to share with you. Today (or sometime this week) leave a personal, targeted and specific gift for one, some, or all of your friends. And let this gift be a note delivered via any method you choose: e-mail, snail mail, Facebook, or in person. Write the note following this template [I have filled in suggestions within the brackets]:
Being friends with you is like [having my own personal sunshine. Your face is lit by love and your life-loving energy feeds everyone.]
I admire you [for so many reasons: For your patience with human beings and your friendships with elders and children. For your endless enthusiasm …]
I appreciate [your countless kindnesses and being curious about what life can teach you.]
I see you [leaving ego behind and living compassionately with yourself and others.]
I hear you [as you work through old patterns, and then laugh delightedly.]
I celebrate [all that you’ve let go of and all that you’ve let in. I feel so blessed by our friendship.]
Happy Saint Nicholas Day!
If you like this idea, you should know that I got it from Fabulous Friendship Festival, a book by SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy). Check out her website at: http://planetsark.com/
Namaste! Amen!
The Readings
Isaiah 35:1-10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
‘Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God,
Who will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
God will come and save you.’
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
A highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,
but it shall be for God’s people;
no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray.
No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Psalm 85:9-13
Surely your salvation is at hand for those who fear you God,
that your glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
You Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before you,
and will make a path for your steps.
Luke 5:17-26
One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting nearby (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. Just then some men came, carrying a paralysed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven you.’ Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, ‘Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the one who was paralysed—‘I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.’ Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen strange things today.’
The readings are from the website below, with tiny adjustments to make the text more inclusive.
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