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Category Archives: prayer
The third last word
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciples, “Here is your mother.” There is no changing one body … Continue reading
Posted in holy days, poetry, prayer
Tagged bereavement, grief, Holy Week, Jesus, John 19:26-27, Luke 3:8, Seven Last Words
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The first last word
Father, forgive them – not yet, Jesus. Give us time. We are in no hurry for new life. Give … Continue reading
Posted in meditation, poetry, prayer
Tagged father forgive them, forgiveness, Seven Last Words
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A prayer for St Patrick’s Day
He returned. I can’t get over that: he got away, he got free, he came home. Then he returned, to the scene of his slavery, to the landscape of his discontent, to the house of his enemies. He returned, not for … Continue reading
Earth, oil, ashes, and a pound of precious nard
I have anointed people for death, and I think Mary was right to get in early, because when I return, a few days later, or a week, I do not come bearing precious nard. Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry, prayer, sermon preparation
Tagged anointing, clergy, funerals, Holy Week, John 12:1-8, Mary of Bethany, Palm Sunday, Year C Lent 5
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The prodigal God
Waiting for the God to come home; if I saw her on the road would I run, hitching up my skirts, fire up the pyre, melt the golden calf, sacrifice my unbelief, my cold soul on the altar of her … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry, prayer, sermon preparation
Tagged God, Luke 15:11-32, parable, prodigal son, repentance, Year C Lent 4
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The penitent
on her knees scrubbing blood from the pavement beneath the broken icon
Posted in haiku, lectionary reflection, poetry, prayer, sermon preparation
Tagged Luke 13:1-9, penitence, repentance, year c lent 3
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Still
At the eclipse, the birds fall silent, the earth shrugs its mantle of shadows close; death comes easily, a simple matter of forgiving all that life still owes Resurrection rises with the spring equinox sun pressing home its higher vantage. … Continue reading
Posted in poetry, prayer
Tagged crucifixion, darkest night, Garden of Gethsemane, Holy Week, Lent, Resurrection, Vigil
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Birth Mother
God, whose womb broke the waters of chaos, gave birth to creation; whose breath stirred the earth, air for our words, spoken first in wonder, and want, our lungs newborn crying out of bewildered love. Prayer Writing Workshop – Diocese … Continue reading
Preaching peace unpeacefully
I preached peace anyway; the peace that passes understanding; the peace with which Jesus leaves us, although he spent a lot of time, too, promising persecution. I worry that this will not be received as good news. Continue reading
Posted in current events, homily, prayer
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On a Wednesday
On Wednesdays, I think about my mother. Arise, shine, for your light has come, the daily morning prayer declares, on a Wednesday. I hear my mother calling, “Rise and shine!” Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory … Continue reading
Posted in poetry, prayer
Tagged book of common prayer, Cancticle 11, Daily Office, family, grief, Isaiah 60:1, rise and shine, Third Song of Isaiah
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over the water 