Devotion

Reading

“The aim of meditation . . . is not to arrive at an objective and apparently ‘scientific’ knowledge about God, but to come to know God through the realization that our very being is penetrated with God’s knowledge and love for us.” —Thomas Merton

A Word of Hope

I am taking my first online course from the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, the home base of Fr. Richard Rohr and other fine teachers. My two month long class focuses on The Interior Castle, seminal work of St. Teresa of Avila, 16th Spanish mystic, and is guided by the masterful James Finley and Mirabai Starr, whose translation of the discalced Carmelite sister we are reading. *

I invite you to come along with me over the next few weeks.

One of the key dimensions of the course is regular contemplative practice, practice we are encouraged to use as “book ends” to the videos, reading, journaling, and discussion.

Some of James Finley’s suggestions for contemplative prayer follow:

Sit in a comfortable position, relaxed but alert, head bowed, hands folded or open on your lap. Close your eyes and take a few deep natural breaths. Bow in reverence, then speak the following quieting prayer: “Be still and know that I am God.” Then “Be still and know that I am.” “Be still and know.” “Be still.” “Be.”

Now enter the silence and open yourself to an encounter with God. Some people simply follow their breaths, some repeat a word or phrase: “Jesus, Mercy,” “Open my heart,” or others. During contemplation (from 5-20 minutes), the mind will do what mind does and thoughts will come. We accept whatever arises in an even-handed, non-judgmental way with compassion towards ourselves.

One of Finley’s beautiful variations on this mode of prayer is to hear God’s silent “I love you” on the inhalation of the breath—God breathing God’s very life in you. On the exhalation, give your own self in love to the Love loving you, inwardly saying, “I love you.” Whenever the mind wanders, return to the exchange of love. If sadness arises during the meditation, hear God loving you through all the sadness and then give yourself—sadness and all– to the One loving you. (The same is true for physical pain or fear or any discomfort that arises.)

Over time and with regular practice, the scales of our eyes fall away and we see only Love. The defenses of our hearts fall away and we know only Love.

Prayer

Oh You, who seek union with us always, open us to the outpouring of your Love. Amen.

Devotion Author

Dr. Pat Saxon

For an in-depth video interview with Mirabai Starr on Teresa’s life, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aPyx5daW50

Scripture

 “I sought the Lord, and God answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to God are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” Psalm 34.4-5

A Word of Hope

Lately, I have been faced with thinking about my biggest regrets and why; the regret I experienced and what brings me to feelings of regret. I’ve pondered this for a long time and I’ve come to realize for myself that there is a cycle that I can undo, or begin to unlearn at least in part if not in full.  

People often say “Hey, that’s OK…. no regrets!“ But the reality is we all do something every day that we might later regret, if we’re honest and presuming we have been lucky enough to find compassion and empathy for ourselves. And that is sometimes about the fantasy about believing a lie that clouds our better selves. I started digging deeper within myself, not so that I can live a life without regret, but rather live my life with less regret. The key to this is honesty and authenticity. That’s tough, right? What would it take for me to fall in love with myself, so much so that I may attract more of the same? I would add to that, having integrity is good too but isn’t that the byproduct of living one day at a time do that one day becomes a week, which becomes a month, then years and so on? Integrity doesn’t last for a few seconds; integrity is the value accumulated over a length of time. It’s earned and expressed only by being honest. 

I’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of dear friends who are going through one kind of recovery or another, just like me. Let’s face it, if we’re honest with ourselves, we are all constantly recovering from one thing or another. You can name your own. 

And that takes me back to the key word; honesty- and doing the things that I regret, at some point I had to believe a fantasy about myself; it could be any shortcomings, unrealized goals, lack of love, lack of status, lack of anything; you name it.  But I realized in the regret I feel, I had not been completely honest with myself at the start. Add to that believing something that may have been the perfect devilish mixture to fill the void of whatever I was lacking in order bake my latest regret casserole. 

What did I do? I began taking long walks a few times a week and analyzing what has gone wrong. It’s funny how often I found I wasn’t alone in creating where I landed. I often found a teammate who was baking their own casserole. It’s never just one thing that creates what could become the regret of a lifelong derailment or a temporary setback. 

Mr. Rogers is famous for reminding us that he, like our Creator, loves us just the way we are. No facade. No fantasy. Just the whole you; faults and all. That relationship is not just an outsider looking in to me, it’s ME being honest about loving myself just the way I am and making goals about who I may want to be; goals about change and growth, yet becoming authentic with my struggles so I don’t have to believe Superman will save me, but that I can be my own hero… to look within myself for the Savior within.  I don’t want to be loved for a fantasy of something I’m not. 

Prayer

O God, there are things that I say and do with absolutely no regret, but may my next few steps take me toward honesty and authenticity so that I will attract the same, because that is a lot easier than tracing back the path that brought me to regret. 

Devotion Author

Charlie Rose
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

Live in harmony with one another. Romans 12.16

A Word of Hope  

 You don’t hear the word “Harmony” used very often.  If someone is asked to add some harmony and peace to their busy life, it’s very possible that that person might first seek a Chinese restaurant for fortune cookie advice or maybe a cheap spa!  But…Harmony – that peaceful, accepting, caring co-existence among living ones – is the basis of a life “well-lived”…a human life in obedience to the will of God.  For God’s plan for the creation is not one of domination, greed and discord, but rather one of peaceful and loving interactions.

Harmony can’t exist without a relationship which is more than the superficial acknowledgment of co-existence. The source of harmony cannot be an external code of “good behavior” – careful language and smile. The true root of harmony lies within the inner-self… the intention of our soul. It is our desire to live the full human experience in a manner which honors the Creator. 
One of the vows (promises) made by Cathedral of Hope Order of St. Francis and St. Clare is:   “Recognizing that God created everyone a part of the “web of life”, we vow to live in harmony and to be peacemakers with all of creation.”

When St. Francis lovingly spoke of Brother Sun and Sister Water, he acknowledged a spirit of harmony with these elements of creation.  And with his fellow villagers and the Muslim Sultan, Francis always related in a manner of peace, harmony and good-will.  In each of our relationships, we have the opportunity to find harmony…deep “alive harmony” rather than “fortune cookie superficial” harmony.  But, to accomplish this goal, we have to keep our soul’s intention directed to that “place of peace” in every relationship and trust that God’s Spirit will guide and help us.

Before I wrote these thoughts, I sat on my balcony, quiet and ready to say evening prayers.  My vision fell on the top of a juicy stem of young basil where a fat little grasshopper sat – very quiet.  But, I too sat quietly…watching.  And then my little – new – friend’s head started bobbing among those tender leaves.  “Go ahead, Brother Grasshopper, eat all you want.  There are plenty of leaves on this plant – enough to satisfy both you and me. May both of us live together in joy.” This is a small way of living in harmony with the world around us.

Prayer

 May I always live my life in harmony with the Creator’s plan.

Devotion Author

Br. Donald Luke
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

“God saw everything that God had made and it was very good.” Genesis 1.31

A Word of Hope

On Saturday, the Order of St. Francis and St. Clare celebrated our treasured animal friends as we enjoyed a huge turnout once again for our annual Blessing of the Animals. This time of year, I become preoccupied more than usual with thoughts of all those embodiments of joy; those animal companions who have consistently blessed my life. Two of my most valued friends today are the cockatoo and cat who share my house. I lived on a farm as a child, so by sheer numbers, the majority of my friends in those days were animals. There were more cats than I can remember. The cats and I always found time to go on adventures, usually involving tracking down glistening green and yellow grass snakes, which we never harmed, (my choice, not theirs). My parents had educated me early in life about the value of the grass snakes’ good works in nature. I doubt the cats cared about the balance of the ecology as much as I did, but the snakes were not their first choice as entrees, anyway.

I’ve always had a strong respect for those marginalized citizens of the dominion of animals, not just snakes, but also bats, praying mantises, piranhas; the list has no end. It is ironic that the very creatures we humans despise and fear the most are among the greatest survival blessings the planet has to offer. Consider the services bats perform each evening while we sleep. A typical bat colony consumes approximately 200 tons of insects a night, and 150 big brown bats can relieve farmers of 33 million rootworms a summer. These creatures are invaluable to the world, perfect in their place in Creation’s balance, yet many of us still classify them as “bad” animals in opposition to “good” animals like cuddly kittens and joyful songbirds. In the Genesis creation story, however, God made no such distinction. Both cuddly kittens and Great White Sharks fall under one classification of: “Very good.”

Prayer

Perfect Creator, help us to see the goodness of all animals from a Genesis perspective. May we celebrate our own animal companions who daily give us unconditional love. But, may we also keep in mind their wild, and often endangered, cousins, recognizing the intricate aspects of your divine plan in each of them.

DevotionAuthor

Dan Peeler
Minister for Children and Families
Order of St. Francis ad St. Clare

Scripture

In God I take refuge.  Psalm 11:1

A Word of Hope

Today is the 30^th anniversary of National Coming Out Day, a day we celebrate coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) or as an ally of the LGBTQ community.  In honor of that day, I’m writing a love letter to LGBTQ people and allies who have not come out.  And I’m writing to the parts of everyone else that have yet to come out.  That may be a feeling, a problem, a concern or perhaps a development that you are not making known in part or in whole.  This is a love letter to all of you and to those yet-to-come-out parts of you. 

In Psalm 11, David responds to voices that are telling him to hide, to run away to the mountains.   It is not clear what these voices are.  They may be inside him or from other people, they may be real or imagined, they may be individuals or institutions.  At any rate, these voices told David that he should be afraid.  There was imminent danger and it was about to explode all over the place.  It’s going to get real messy, they warned, and people including David were going to get hurt.   Run away!

The Message translation of this Psalm has David tell the voices: I’m going to be ok.  I’m counting on a God that loves me, that knows what’s really going on and on a God who will put things right.  I’ve already run for dear life straight to the arms of that God.   So, I’m going to be ok, David says.

Today I invite you to consider voices that tell you to be afraid, to hide some or all of you, to distrust people’s reactions to every part of you.  These may be voices – real or imagined – coming from others or welling up inside of you.  They may even be the institutional voice of the church.  I invite you to know again or perhaps for the first time that God loves you.   God loves every part of you, even the troubling, ugly, inconvenient and fearsome parts of you.  Run for dear life to the arms of God.  God promises to put things right.

We think the phrase “coming out” means coming out of a closet of fear.  But the phrase was originally borrowed from the practice of young ladies “coming out” to society.  These debutantes would attend balls and parties, announcing their ‘eligibility.”  Before the 1960’s, when gay men would start attending drag balls or told other gay men that they were gay, they were said to have “come out.”  They were not coming from fear, they were coming to a party, to joy, to a community of support and love.  There’s a party waiting for you (or the remaining parts of you) on the other side of coming out.  There’s a community to join, a community that can be God’s love to you.   You can count on God’s loving arms to put things right.

Prayer

Spirit, lead us to people who love us for who we really are, all of us.  Give us courage to give everyone we love the chance to be those kinds of people.  We’re counting on You to make it right.  Amen

Devotion Author

Brad Syverson
Spiritual Director

For resources on coming out as LGBTQ or an ally, see Cathedral of Hope: Sexuality and Faith or Human Rights Campaign: Explore Coming Out.

Scripture

Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:10-11

Word of Hope

Today is World Homeless Day. The first World Homeless day was October 10, 2010. Its purpose is to draw attention to the needs of homeless people and to provide opportunities for communities to get involved in responding to homelessness. I am always a little uncomfortable when approached by homeless people who are asking for money. There are so many people who suggest that you should never give money to a homeless person, because they might use it to buy alcohol or other drugs. In the past, I tried to avoid making eye contact with them. I do give money to programs that provide assistance to homeless people. But that doesn’t necessarily do anything for the people who I might run into on the street. How should I interact with them?

Well, I have learned that, just like with anyone else, when you are approached by a homeless person, you should make eye contact and smile. Homeless people tend to become more and more socially isolated. You need to treat them just like you treat anyone else. Say “Hi.” If you have the time, stop and talk with them. Use your best judgment. Maybe stop and talk when you are with someone else if you don’t feel safe doing it when you are alone. But social connection can mean a lot to a homeless person, especially one who has gradually lost contact with family and friends.

You can give something tangible, such as a blessing bag. This is a gallon zip-lock bag filled with various items such as a pair of socks, lip balm, a comb, soap, hand sanitizer, a wash cloth, sunscreen, insect repellant, and food items, such as granola bars, individual servings of applesauce or canned fruit (include a spoon), pouches of tuna, Vienna sausages, peanut butter or cheese crackers, and bottled water. Some people keep these blessing bags in their cars so that they have them at hand when they meet someone asking for a handout. These items are appreciated by anyone who does not have access to grooming items or food.

You can also visit various shelters and get some cards or brochures to give to people who may be interested in those services. You can offer to pay for a bus or train ticket, so that the person can make their way to the shelter. If you are uncomfortable handing them cash for this purpose, you can accompany them to the nearest mass transit ticket sales kiosk and purchase the ticket for them. Again, use your best judgment. But make a plan.

How are you going to reach out to homeless people? How will you show your generosity? For me, I have decided on this World Homeless Day to make more regular donations to a homeless shelter I like; one with a job training program, to have some $5 bills in my car for when I feel moved to offer money, and to make eye contact and smile at the homeless people that I encounter on a daily basis.

Prayer

Gracious and loving God, help me to always be aware of my blessings and abundance. I want to become more comfortable responding to homeless people, offering them human connection, as well as basic assistance. I want to be Your hands and feet.

Devotion Author

Molly Sutton
Cathedral of Hope Member

Scripture

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4.4

A Word of Hope

Today is Bullying Prevention Day. Have you ever been bullied by your own demons? In the spirit of the month of Halloween, I offer this story to you:

Face to Face with Evil

This is the story of a young boy’s dream. He came face to face with what some would call darkness, others The Beast, and a few who see themselves. Some things, however, you cannot judge by appearances. In this dream the boy was flying over a forest when he suddenly came across a certain figure amongst the trees. At first glance the boy saw what looked like a black werewolf.                                    

Upon closer inspection the boy saw bloodlust in the creature’s eyes. Standing on its hind legs with teeth bared and reaching towards the boy as though it could touch him, the eyes of this black wolf held pure darkness. The boy had no fear when he looked in the creature’s eyes, even though it was looking for his death. Instead the boy reacted in disgust. It was as if he were smelling decaying flesh for the first time, but unbearably worse.                                   

The boy rejected the creature and said aloud, “Jesus devour it.” A couple of moments passed and the beast completely disappeared from vision. A couple more moments passed and The Beast reappeared as a crying infant. This dream was only one part of a much deeper conversation. What the boy saw was the mask of suffering. A crying baby was all Jesus left. He devoured the hatred, and left the baby. Why? Perhaps the answer is different for each of us. There is, however, a clue. The boy said,” devour it.”                                                    

Indeed, there was nothing left of the werewolf; Jesus had devoured it. This means that the crying baby was something different. The darkness was only the mask; thus, it was destroyed. The baby was left behind because it was not darkness; rather, its suffering had created the wolf. God is showing us that hurting people… hurt people. If a man wears a mask and becomes someone else he is an actor. We are all acting, but not all people are acting like themselves.

Prayer

Lord I want to see what you see. Give me vision and the strength to carry the vision. Teach me how to come in and go out or how to walk wisely. Devour my mask and the mask of my neighbor. Heal the suffering and bring peace, joy, love, and laughter. Praise you Lord, the one who reveals secrets. Truth and insight are your gifts. When I seek you, I find you. Amen.

Devotion Author

Jonathon McClellan
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare                                                      

Scripture

And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’

Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?  Matthew 14.25-31

Word of Hope

Today is National Face your Fear Day. In the passage above Peter at first faces his fear; with Jesus’ encouragement and command. But then a change in circumstances causes him to doubt. With Jesus right there in front of him, he doubts and falters.

How often are we faced with Jesus’ command and yet falter during our answer? How often do we have to turn to Jesus in the midst of fulfilling the voice of God to as for help? Jesus tells us through Peter that our faith should be enough.

Several years ago, my dear wife gave me a gift of a song. Jana Stanfield wrote words that express this passage of scripture in verse:

If I refuse to listen, to the voice of fear

Would the voice of courage, whisper in my ear?

Maybe this is what I’d hear

I am brave enough to move ahead

Where true believers dare to tread.

Never lose faith, even when losing my way.

What step will I take, today; I am brave.

If I Were Brave lyrics © Jana Stantunes

Prayerful Words

Loving God help me to know I am brave and that my bravery comes from faith in You. Be with me when my faith falters. Reach out to my heart to remove doubt so that I may fulfill your purpose for me.

Devotion Author

Weber Baker
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Reading

Modern Lesson from: Everybody, Always by Bob Goff
Each of us is surrounded every day by our neighbors. . . They’re everywhere we look. It’s one thing we all have in common: we’re all somebody’s neighbor, and they are ours. This has been God’s simple yet brilliant master plan from the beginning. God made a whole world of neighbors. We call it earth, but God just calls it a really big neighborhood.

A Word of Hope

“Through the Eyes of Love” is the song I used to come down the aisle at our original Holy Union and our legal wedding (in October 24 years apart). It is from an amazing song from one of the most romantic movies ever. It is the 1978 movie “Ice Castles.” I know that is the dark ages to most of you! But it is a wonderful movie. Looking through eyes of Love is a beautiful thing.

The theme song “Through the Eyes of Love ” is a little misleading, because the main character in the movie who is a champion figure skater has an injury that takes her eyesight. She comes back to skating because she learns to see through the eyes of the love of her boyfriend.

Our current sermon series and Small Group study series is based on the book “Everybody Always” by Bob Goff. He insists we learn to love EVERYBODY ALWAYS! He does admit we live in a world full of setbacks and difficult people! But that doesn’t excuse us from being God’s love to those people!

That’s a really HARD thing to do! Some days it’s hard just to love Me!

I am willing to hand out blessing bags with food and new clean socks to those on the street corners. I offer prayers for them to find shelter and whatever is missing in their lives! BUT I don’t think you can call that love, no matter how much you stretch it!

If we could look through God ‘s eyes of love, like the song says, we could see things differently. We could see people differently. But we don’t close our eyes of judgement long enough to really see some of our difficult neighbors looking through God’s eyes!

Prayer

God of endless loving eyes and heart; thank you for being able to see the goodness in each of us even when we can’t see our own goodness. Thank you for seeing us best and helping us find our better side. Help us work toward loving everybody always.

Devotion Author

Jan Nunn
CoH Volunteer

Scripture

“Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”  Revelation 2: 29.  The Message

A Word of Hope

I am not a big fan of The Book of Revelation, the final book in the Bible.  Growing up in a fundamentalist church with a very, shall we say, robust “end of time” doctrine, I got my fill of the fantastical stories at an early age.  You would think the multi-headed dragon, the winged lion and the other fanciful creatures would appeal to a middle school boy.  I thought it rather lame.   And don’t get me started on the interpretation of the antichrist, mark of the beast, and  666 I was taught in junior high.  It stretches credibility.

So imagine my chagrin when I was assigned today’s reading:  Revelation 2: 12 – 29.  How come I don’t have a comforting Psalm or an inspiring beatitude?

I guess life is like that:  challenges come and truths we would rather not face intrude whether we like it or not.  Whether we are prepared or not.

So, let’s stick together, look at the text, and learn what we can.

These verses are part of a long passage of fictional letters written by Jesus to seven church communities in Asia Minor.  Each had its unique culture and set of circumstances and the members had unique strengths and weaknesses.  The letters contain exhortation, encouragement, reprimands and warnings.

One of the churches in our reading is Thyatira (verse 18).  Today it is the far western Turkish city of Akhisar near the Aegean coast but in the first century it was a city known for its many guilds (today’s workers’ unions) and its thriving Christian community.  The church members in Thyatira were known for their love, faith, service, patient endurance, and good works (verse 19).  Notice how “love” is the first trait listed, even before faith.   Seems to me like a nice reputation for a church to have.

But even with their sterling reputation for love, they were called out in this passage for what one commentator calls “compromising” and another terms “tolerance” when faced with misrepresentations of Christ’s message (verse 20).  It seems that in the Thyatira community there were various views of what it meant to be a Christian.  And the community as a whole did not call out and challenge the views that were clearly counter to Christ’s example.

Perhaps there is a message for me in Revelation after all.  I am called to have a reputation for love.  Especially in the face of many who falsely in Christ’s name teach division and exclusion.  The letter to Thyatira ends with the promise that when I stand for love and faith I stand in Christ’s authority and the light of the morning star shines on me (verse 28).

Prayer

God of my being.  May I not be timid or compromising when standing for love in your name.

Devotion Author

Dennis Bolin