Reading

O Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope…

From the Prayer of St. Francis

Words of Hope

The prayer of St. Francis would be more accurately defined as the Prayer in the Spirit of St. Francis, since it was not written by the Saint himself, but first appeared under the title of the Prayer for Peace in 1912 in France, in a spiritual magazine called La Clochette (The Little Bell). After years of translations and re-publications, it was first attributed to St. Francis in 1927, by a French Protestant group called “The Knights of the Prince of Peace”. During and after the Second World War, the prayer for peace had become universally accepted as the Prayer of St. Francis.

Regardless of who might have written it, the prayer speaks to us loudly and clearly in this generation of discord. The author’s first concern is about the lack of tolerance and unity in the world: “Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union”.

Let’s modify these words to make the message more personal: “When I find hatred, let me show your love; when I am hurt or maligned, let me forgive; when I find those around me in conflict, let me help them find a just resolution.” In these words, each of us finds a way we can use God’s loving peace to create good out of a bad situation. In your daily interactions, how often do you encounter situations of hate, hurt and conflict? There’s an easy human response, and there is also the opportunity for you to share God’s peace and transform the destructive effect in your life and the lives of others.

The second of these pleas asks you and me to always be willing to forgive others when we have been hurt by their words or actions. In essence, the act of forgiveness is making peace with the other party who maligned you. When you forgive, you are acting as a peacemaker and giving example to the forgiveness which God offers all of us. It’s a great way to mirror the love of God to others, and a great witness of your relationship with the Holy One.

Prayer

O Lord, may I not only be an instrument of your peace, but also a mirror of your love. Make me a witness of your unconditional grace.

Devotion Author

Donald (Luke) Day
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

Romans 1.20

For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—God’s eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…

Words of Hope

Are you feeling any good vibrations these days? It turns out there are many things in my life that carry a vibration. Before you roll your eyes at what sounds like a “woo-woo” statement at first, stay with me. This is science. Everything emits vibrations of various frequencies. You know this is true when you yourself get goosebumps listening to your favorite music or your most cherished hymn at church, or at least I do.

I also know for a fact when I talk about a departed loved one, I get goosebumps from time to time. Is that because spirits are there for a visit and want to let me know they have arrived? I know the concept is disconcerting to some, but having Grandma want to see you after she’s departed may be as natural as making you a cup of tea when she was living.

Let’s talk about the vibrations of the rest of God’s Creation. When I visited the Muir Woods a few years ago, I would swear to you those ancient living trees spoke to me, but I have no idea how or why that happened. I was with a couple friends and my partner from that time. As I entered the woods, suddenly and unexpectedly, the trees resonated with me and there was a pronounced distinct vibration; a low-level hum that surrounded me then went right through me. At first, it was as if I had been wrapped in an invisible divine blanket; it was undeniable and very emotional. I had found a sanctuary among the trees and a connection as if they wanted to let me know of their spirit and that they recognize my own. What could be more profound?

I immediately wandered away from my friends to experience an uninterrupted tree sermon, then I ruined the moment by trying to explain something so deep happening to me at the time, that attempting to put it into words lost the experience. I didn’t know I couldn’t express the emotion verbally and it was better left to be felt. Later, I realized its vibration was in sync with my own vibration somehow. Did you ever have an undeniable, inexplicable experience like that? What was your experience? No, you don’t have to use words to explain it, but feel free to take a few minutes and feel it again. Let it wash over you.

I’m a mystic, so I believe everything is connected; therefore, the very origin of our species connects with our ancient beginnings. We’re surrounded by creation and powerful energy that keeps everything in balance. Our very presence feels the vibration of the many energies around us. Most of the time, they go unnoticed because we’re too busy, so it’s nice to sit still and listen; to tune in and become aware of the infinite and divine. How often do we need to do that without realizing? Probably not often enough. I remind myself even when I’m writing these

devotions to you, they actually speak back to me as well. I’m living in that moment again and it’s something I’ll never forget.

We’re living in strange unpredictable times. Aren’t we in need of more comfort today than yesterday? Is that true for you? I may speak for myself, but I know if I think it and write it, there are others who may feel the same as I. It’s my hope that my vibration finds you where you are and that we are able to connect our minds in this way; to consider the divine; to ponder our purpose; to be present when we feel something profound speak to us.

Prayer

Still our troubled or cluttered thoughts so that we may be open to receive your divine vibration. May we share it somehow without words, but in the unspoken comfort of your presence.

Devotion Author

Charlie C. Rose
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

Psalm 139:10-11

“If I say, surely darkness shall cover me, and the light (of good old times) around me become dark night; even then your divine hand shall lead me, and you’re good right-hand will hold me fast.”

Words of Hope

I think it is appropriate that Cathedral of Hope’s Devotion Series is centered on Words of Hope since the title implies maintaining a vision for a better world. That is and always has been the central initiative of this church. Hope is the expectation of that which is not yet realized, but desired enough that it is sought. It is one element of the human psyche which motivates life to continue. When it is lost, there is deep despair or even loss of the vital force to continue life. Since the beginning of humanity, God has been shown to be the ultimate source of our hope. Once again, in this season of Advent climaxing in the birth narrative in the Christmas story, we remember that God is the true source of our hope.

For several generations before Jesus’ birth, Jewish life endured much despair. The Roman army occupied their land with consequent economic hardship and heavy taxation. The Temple authorities and High Priest were “under the thumb” of King Herod and his Roman masters. There was religious dissension, and the former strong voice of God’s prophets no longer was heard. It was a time when the voice of God’s Spirit seemed to be dulled by uncertainty and almost quenched.

The hardship and darkness of daily life seemed to make God’s presence very distant. The constant stress and burden of each day could be endured only by a flickering hope that God had not forgotten them. “When, O God; how long will it be before the past’s better times return again?” God’s presence in their daily life seemed to be diminished; God’s voice seemed to be quieted, almost breathless. Still, some people had a fleeting hope that God would break through the spiritual darkness.

Little did they know that God was setting the stage for their salvation. In today’s unpredictable world, you may have experienced similar spiritual stress and uncertainty. The comfortable pattern of worship and fellowship has been revised and supplemented. Much of our spiritual life and our daily activities have become characterized by separation and distance from the “good old days”. How many times have you thought: “When O God, will we no longer be wearing these masks and getting back to normal?”

Like that generation of Jews before Jesus’ birth, we need to hold tightly our assured hope that God is with us in the struggles, and that our liberation from this extraordinary period will come with renewal of our spiritual life. Although we may still be experiencing a degree of physical

separation from one another in daily life and religious activity, we are never separated from God! And remember, we are people of Hope. Even with that mask in place, keep up your hope and be assured that God is still working!

Prayer

Lord God, help me to direct my attention toward your presence in my life this day. May I clearly hear your voice as you teach me and guide my life in anticipation of the Advent of the Christ, our ultimate hope. Amen.

Devotion Author

Donald (Luke) Day
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

1 Peter 3.18

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Words of Hope

A few years ago, the Wednesday night worship team included a lot of “Person on the Street” video interviews as part of their regular services. Their interview questions often centered around a little Bible knowledge or opinions on some aspect of God. In one of these segments, the question was asked: What is Grace? The answers were, understandably, all over the map and none came close to the “correct” definition we have heard in Bible studies and some of us have been taught in Seminary.

Most of the theological declarations about God I remember from my seminary days were derived from the thousands of volumes of essays written by 19^th century, straight, intellectual, male, German theologians who might as well have been speaking to me in their original tongue, since the translations were about as clear. When asked the same question that was asked on Wednesday night, Karl Barth, a brilliant Calvinist theologian, observed that “the covenant of grace is not a program but a person: Jesus Christ. It is Jesus Christ who is the fulfilment of the relationship between God and humanity, and, therefore, he is the one in whom persons participate in the fullness of covenant relationship with God.”

Okay…but what is Grace?

In my understanding, Grace is the term we use in reference to God’s unconditional gift of love to all of humankind, a gift which is not awarded according to merit or diligence. It’s God’s universal gift and only God can give it. I think Karl Barth was saying that in Jesus’ life and works, we see the personification of that love relationship between humanity and divinity fulfilled. Likewise, we see God’s grace defined in our benevolent actions toward others. One of our church’s greatest fulfillments of God’s Grace happens in our annual collection and distribution of Thanksgiving baskets. We were able to give out well over 500 baskets this year. The recipients did not work for the gifts or win a “most deserving” contest. The food and the love were both free.

In my own experience, I saw my parents bestow their own special gifts of grace as almost daily routines. Once, in my teenage years, sitting at the dining room table, after we had spent the day cleaning out a stack of former treasures from the garage, I asked my parents if it would be a good idea to have a garage sale. My father said, “Why sell it, when we might know someone who could use it?” My mother followed up, “…and there’s always someone who could use it.” Within a few days, all of our former treasures had found new homes.

Last week, to make room for some new items of furniture a grace-filled friend had given to me, I was able to donate that same dining room table along with my grandmother’s entire bedroom suit to some other friends “who could use it.” They happened to be a Native American couple who were relocating to Oklahoma. Grace may not be easy to define, but so often in my life, I have known it to be contagious.

Who needs a little grace in your life? Remember, there’s always someone who could use it.

Prayer

Thank you for your undefinable grace and for giving us countless opportunities to fulfill our relationship with you by sharing your gifts to us with our neighbors who can use them the most.

Devotion Author

Dan Peeler
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

I John 1:5

This is the message we have heard and proclaim to you, that God is light and in God there is no darkness.

Words of Hope

After reading todays’ scripture, take time to be quiet with it and let God’s Spirit talk to you about what you’ve read.  Quietly read it again several times: “This is the message we have heard and proclaim to you, that God is light and in God there is no darkness.”

Try meditating on those words to better explore the fullness of their meaning. Try to be so mindful of the words that you feel like you’re falling into a pool of deep water… a pool of deeper experience with God. I believe that if you practice this approach, you will be drawn into a richer awareness of your relationship with God.

In cultivating a richer awareness of God, define the scripture to yourself. God is pure light, perfect light, not a speck of darkness, a holy brightness. Our faith always has taught us that the Creator God’s nature is perfect in all aspects, perfect wisdom, perfect love, and perfectly pure and holy.

That perfection contrasts with humanity’s mottled behaviors and failings. Our human character is often inconsistent and mixed in motive. Even in the midst of human goodness, perfection is elusive. The Judeo-Christian God has always existed separate from our less-than-perfect humanity. Part of this realization is the basis for the concept that God is holy.In the Psalms, we read that: “Holy is God’s name.” (Psalm 30:4)

The Jews thought that you could understand the nature or characteristics of another person if you knew or spoke their name. When God blessed Abram and promised that he would be father to a multitude of offspring, God gave him a new name, Abraham, which denoted that promise. When we speak of God as holy, we state that God is set apart from us, other-than-us, God is pure perfection. It is our affirmation that God is different from us; we are not God.

In meditating on the eternal truth that in God there is no darkness, we come face to face with the “otherness” of God, and that should instill a sense of awe in us. It is a true declaration of worship… Awesome God, Holy God, Pure and Perfect One.

Prayer

Lord God, quiet my mind and open my heart to learn more about you. Guide my times of meditation, and allow me to better experience your unlimited majesty. Amen.

Devotion Author

Donald (Luke) Day
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare