Yesterday, Inauguration Day here in the States, was, for me, a great release. I felt I was able to let go a burden of fear and anxiety and disbelief and confusion and hurt that I have been shouldering for the last four years. I recognize that many, many others feel very differently, and my heart holdsContinueContinue reading “Thoughts on the 2021 Presidential Inauguration”
Tag Archives: Light
When the Light Goes Out
For the first time in my life, I have a “Winter Tree” in my home. After removing the Christmas ornaments, I felt a deep yearning for light and more light and was resistant to taking down the tree. A friend of mine suggested that I replace the ornaments with snowflakes to make the tree seasonal,ContinueContinue reading “When the Light Goes Out”
When There are No Words
As we continue our journey, it seems, in a way, like a lifetime ago that Jan. 6, 2021, happened, instead of five short days. Perhaps that is how time manages nightmares. Yet each and every image haunts me, much like two burning skyscrapers on Sept. 9, 2001, still haunt me almost twenty years later. IContinueContinue reading “When There are No Words”
A New Year’s Litany for Light
Journeying forward together, we rely on the wisdom of ancient practices and guides. For those not familiar with the word, a litany is an ancient prayer form composed of a series of petitions/requests usually followed by a communal repeated refrain. As we cross the threshold into the unknowns of 2021 and leave behind what, forContinueContinue reading “A New Year’s Litany for Light”
Miltose and the Light
Some fifteen or so years ago, I was fortunate to travel to the island of Lefkada, off the mainland of Greece, with a group of good friends. Lefkada, then, was still a mostly rural part of Greece where the village women wore black shawls and carried firewood on the backs of donkeys and the menContinueContinue reading “Miltose and the Light”
Communal Light
An old, old story goes like this: Once upon a time, a young king desired to build the biggest, most magnificent, cathedral in all of Europe. He spared no cost in workmanship and in construction, and people came from far and near to watch the progress. Gold, marble, frescoes, mosaics, silver, the finest woods—all ofContinueContinue reading “Communal Light”
The Vespers and a Poem for Advent
Many of us are familiar with the Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, composed as we know it in 1861 but with roots sunk as far back as the Roman Catholic monastic life of the 8th century. Not as many of us are familiar with the ancient O Antiphons, on which the hymn isContinueContinue reading “The Vespers and a Poem for Advent”
Winter Lament
Faith traditions across the United States, perhaps across the world, are offering a special service this time of year as the longest night, December 21, approaches. These services are often called “The Longest Night” or “Blue Christmas,” and their intention is to recognize, not shy away from or deny, the pain, grief, and loneliness thatContinueContinue reading “Winter Lament”
Keeping Hope in Hopeless Times
A neighbor in an adjoining subdivision to ours is Jewish. At least that is my supposition since the family keeps an 8’ metal menorah cemented to the ground in their front yard year-round. We pass this house when we head to town, and I’ve come to call it “The Menorah House.” I am moved byContinueContinue reading “Keeping Hope in Hopeless Times”
Whatever is Lovely
As we seek the Light through the experience of joy this week, the ancient guide Paul of the Bible’s New Testament arrives with a message: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.ContinueContinue reading “Whatever is Lovely”
Spirit Reflections 