Author: admin

When you hike, the only way home is to keep walking. The path might not be clear, or easy, or even known, but to get home you have to keep moving forward. The best way to do that is with others. walking together, helping each other keep moving. Supporting and encouraging and helping each other see the tricks in the trail. Keep moving forward, but know you don’t have to walk alone, and better when we don’t.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12

I love this song. God can be a foolish idea worthy to be laughed at, when we make God small and petty and mean. But when those moments that turn our lives upside down come, as they do, God becomes less of an idea and more real. How we have learned to live with God will change how we meet and see God in those moments. May we practice laughing with God in moments of joy and in life, knowing God to be love, so that in the hospital we recognize the God who meets us with only the deepest mercy and grace.

In the hour when the homeless move their cardboard blankets the new day is born. There have been more people who have slept under the steps at the back of door of the Cathedral this winter. The conditions have been what they have needed to be: encampments displaced, housing unaffordable, cold but not so cold that the emergency shelters are opened. This leads to a lot of questions and a reminder that a part of the season of Lent we are called to in ashes, is almsgiving. Fasting and prayer are emphasized easily, but almsgiving reminds us of our shared humanity and our shared need for God to show up and answer some questions that we have for God and the angels. And also some questions God probably has for us as well in our care for our neighbour.

Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?

Matthew 25

There are so many things competing for our time and attention and many of them are good and deserving things. Of course they may conflict with one another. Choosing one thing, may mean letting someone down or over extending ourselves. How do we find peace in these internal and external conflicts? Can we follow Christ when we feel pulled in so many different directions. How do we let go and trust in the Spirit of God to be at work

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace

Isaiah 55:10-12

Jesus’ teachings and life show us what God is like and and how we are called to live. One of the most challenging things about this is that Jesus does not turn away from a path that leads to his death on the cross. God’s life is not spared from knowing the loss, injustice and suffering we all face in the world. In Jesus, God shares our tears, knows our pain and bears the ill we do one to another here in this world and in so doing brings healing and freedom.

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

“’cause i know the waves will rush over my face And wash clean the heart break from me” The lyric conjures an image of baptism. In baptism we enter into and hold close the life of Jesus that leads us from death into life and restores our broken hearts. Lent is traditionally a time of preparation for baptism because our baptisms are part of the Easter story; of taking up our cross and finding our lives not in what the world can give but in how we can serve in the life of the Kingdom now.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7

This short instrumental song builds from solitude and isolation to a joyful embrace and opens to possibility. Forgiveness is a gift for us, both when we forgive another and when we accept forgiveness for ourselves. It frees us to new possibilities on a journey towards healing. It frees us from anger, shame and resentment and opens us to new joys and relationships.

I rise before dawn and cry for help;
   I put my hope in your words.

Psalm 119:147

Each breath could be a prayer, drawing in so much life and grace and breathing out the same for the creation around us. It may be a grace then, that when we are afraid or weeping heavily, we breathe much harder. Take a few mindful breaths, long and deep. It is the same air that Jesus breathed, when he breathed out peace on his frightened disciples, after his resurrection from the darkness of the tomb. As we draw breath into our lungs may we know the whole of our bodies filled with the Holy Spirit as well, to inspire our actions and to give us new courage in faith.

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 23:46

Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them

John 20:21

We all know what it is to hurt someone or break something just because we can. In an outburst of pride or arrogance or anger or even of our own pain, we hurt others. Seeking forgiveness in humility is an essential step in healing; maybe not what we’ve broken but certainly that which is broken in us. Jesus, who encountered the worst of what the world can be and knows our own hearts, speaks forgiveness and peace covering it all with the breath of the Spirit.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart O God, you will not despise.

Psalm 51:17