June 5, 2012

Meditation on Psalm 6

Only you can save me from despair, which haunts me day and night

Remove the veil from my eyes so I can see you.

Surely, if I keep you always in my sight, there is no fear that can possibly engulf me.

June 4, 2012

Meditation on Psalm 5

If I speak as though you are always listening, O Source of Love

Then my words will more likely be compassionate

And I may avoid needless offense.

But when I forget, O Giver of Blessings

I rejoice in your forgiveness.

June 3, 2012

Meditation on Psalm 4

I am ready, oh Lover of Souls, to turn myself over to you right now.

Let me not forget that in another hour,
   when a river of thoughts come to take me away.

Remind me to call upon you again and again.

Let me be the good that is you.

Let me see the good that is you,

When the sun shines and when the rains fall.

Only then will I have peace.

June 2, 2012

Meditation on Psalm 3

Tens of thousands of voices swirl in my head, telling me of all my failures.

But you, O Source of Love, cover me with kisses and clothe me with a cloak of loving kindness.

For every second of self-loathing, you shower me with an hour of assurances.

Let me be lifted high upon a tidal wave of compassion and be gently washed upon the sand of warm embraces.

Alleluia Amen!

June 1, 2012

Meditation on Psalm 2

O Mommy dear, who loves me through and through and delights
   in my every breath and step and word:

Why do I shun your love with self-doubt?

My toddling dance, which is wondrous in your sight,

   becomes clumsy only when I turn away from your love.

My attempts at wisdom become foolishness when I keep you at a distance.

My plans are a blessing in your holy chamber,

   yet become useless without you.

A hastily spoken word becomes harsh outside your care,

   yet remains sacred when carried on the winds of your spirit.

Happy am I when I remember you.

May 31, 2012

A Meditation on Psalm 1

Your love lifts me out of the mud of shame

And I blossom in the light of your smile

Your wisdom is brighter than the sun by day

And your peace is a cool shade upon my weary brow

I dance in the dappled shadow of your willow branches

And cup my hands to drink you up, oh water of life

Save me from the down-ward spiral of my self-loathing

Wash me clean and I will rest in your arms.

April 21, 2012

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

In The Naked Now, Richard Rohr speaks of the two universal paths available to all humans: love and suffering; and in this gospel passage, Jesus acknowledges both with the assurance that love wins. Love always wins. Take courage!

Namaste

The Readings

Exodus 17:1-16 (NRSV)

1 Peter 4:7-19 (NRSV)

John 16:16-33 (NRSV)

"A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me."  Then some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying to us, 'A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and 'Because I am going to the Father'?"  They said, "What does he mean by this 'a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about."  Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, 'A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'?  Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy.  When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world.  So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.  On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.  "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father.  On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;  for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.  I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father."  His disciples said, "Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech!  Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God."  Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?  The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.  I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!"