Category Archives: prayer

Holy Innocents: transferred

There must have been others who retracedtheir ancestors’ footprints over Sinai,although no Moses basket launched upon the Nile;instead, the Innocents wakened from a nightmareby the whisper of a blade, the fadingmemory of mothers’ final, ululating lullaby… Innocence today plays with … Continue reading

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Emmanuel

Emmanuel Away from the crush of the crowd and the hubbub of the inn, aside in the stableChrist is born;in the silence that prepares for his first breath,God speaks: “I am with you.”

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The longest night

Morning after the longest night,like the first day of creationwhen evening fell before the dawn;as the dream goes before awakening,the linened tomb before resurrection,the twilight womb before the birthof the Christ, all partand particular to his Incarnation,this nurturing dark that … Continue reading

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Because love is the miracle

Love is what it takes
to make the other
miracles true… Continue reading

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Advent (the second coming)

There is no cloud of glory can define, no gates of heaven can confine; there is no dogma, doggerel, or doctrine can describe, no earnest imitation reinscribe him.  Christ’s coming cannot be constrained or restrained by our rituals of mortality.Our candles are dimmed, our illuminated manuscripts … Continue reading

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Armistice

It was supposed to be the war to end all wars, but one hundred and three years past the eleventh hour, we are still more accomplished at starting wars than finishing, and as the day digs its way toward noon, … Continue reading

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Repentance

To repent is
in some small, frayed
way to unknit
the fabric … Continue reading

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What would St Luke say?

What would St Luke say about getting a booster for the COVID19 vaccine as available? Perhaps it is not too much of a stretch to imagine that he, in sympathy and solidarity with his physician colleagues and support staff would welcome it. Perhaps it is not too forward to imagine that he would promote every measure to keep his community safe and well and together, to relieve the burdens of those who care for the health of others, and to increase the common good.  Continue reading

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Little lower

God forbid that I should meetan angel face to face: the many eyeswould terrify, the beating wingsmight stop my heart; how wouldI hear their, “Do not fear,”let alone what may follow? Send me instead the dragonfly, fiercebut fragile, anointing the … Continue reading

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But who do you say that I am?

This poem was first published at the Episcopal Cafe When Christ confronted the demons, they cried outin loud voices and with forked tongues,“We know who you are, Holy One, Son of God,hope of the nations and light of the world!”And … Continue reading

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