Tag Archives: grief
Rough edges and grace.
Today was a glorious day at Church Without Walls. The sun shone brightly, warming us up just enough after a chilly night. We had blankets and other items to share thanks to the generosity of our national church. Dear friends … Continue reading
Coming together.
In the aftermath of the mass shooting in Orlando (and every other recent and incomprehensible tragedy), it is hard to feel anything other than profound sadness. I want to make room for this overwhelming sense of grief and yet I … Continue reading
From expectation to wonder.
This year I have approached the holidays by deciding to take pleasure in small things. By moving from a place of expectation to a place of wonder. We talk a lot at Church Without Walls about how, while there is … Continue reading
Open hands.
Last night I dreamt I was travelling somewhere – with my former roommate Lisa and our friend Ashley and possibly one other soul or two. We arrived at our initial destination by what means I know not. A plane? A … Continue reading
May hatreds cease.
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through … Continue reading
“Through the wall of flame.”
As a frightened man in a burning boat has only one way to the rest of his life, we must move with courage through the wall of flame into the greater sea. — Mark Nepo, Book of Awakening, p 172 … Continue reading
“Forgotten by us, but dear to you.”
This day I find myself meditating on a prayer from a beautiful Litany for Compassion: “For all who are forgotten by us, but dear to you: We entreat you to hear us, good Lord.“* I think of the pain and … Continue reading
Icons
Standing behind a thick marigold line waiting our turns to drop identification into a small pass-through drawer, together forming a community as we each hope for a green light to enter the facility to visit a friend or family member. … Continue reading
Unity in diversity.
My Lenten discipline of making confession became something much bigger. It resulted in a challenging and amazing conversation with a monk who also is a Catholic priest. While on retreat, I had scheduled time to make my confession – a … Continue reading
Finding family.
This afternoon I had a challenging phone conversation with a woman I met at a shelter several months ago. She has struggled to find stability, moving from shelter to street to couch-surfing and back again. She has done many of … Continue reading
