O Joseph, favored son of the radiant colored coat,see how all your brothers gather againin these strained and foreign days.Watch them tear at your garment, again,shredding it apart in their frenzied envy,destroying what they do not want othersto possess. They turn their backson ancient Jacob in his grief, their handssplattered with blameless blood.Joseph, your brothersContinueContinue reading “Brothers of Joseph”
Tag Archives: spirituality
Reinventing Self
June 30, 2023 Some years ago, when I was active clergy and had been at my church for thirteen years, I found myself in a time of discernment about my future. A fellow clergy person with a thirty-year stay at his church suggested that the key to a long-term, fruitful ministry was to “reinvent” oneselfContinueContinue reading “Reinventing Self”
A Blessing for Candles
February 2, 2023 While most of us in the States may be disappointed because our favorite groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow today, which tradition says means six more weeks of winter, we might be consoled by remembering that, in the Roman Catholic Church, today is also Candlemas, the feast day of the Presentation ofContinueContinue reading “A Blessing for Candles”
The Psalms of Advent: Amen
December 16, 2022 “The world is not respectable; it is mortal, tormented, deluded forever; but it is shot through with beauty, with love, with glints of courage and laughter; and in these, the spirit blooms . . . .” George Santayana Twenty-one days ago, I began this series on The Psalms of Advent with theContinueContinue reading “The Psalms of Advent: Amen”
Thursday, Advent Week 3: Shine
The Psalms of Advent, December 15, 2022 You are invited to light a candle and join me as we reflect upon the final psalm selected for Advent, as designated in the Revised Common Lectionary. I hope you will sit with this psalm and listen for the word that Spirit is whispering to you. Today’s poem,ContinueContinue reading “Thursday, Advent Week 3: Shine”
Wednesday, Advent Week 3: Deep
The Psalms of Advent, December 14, 2022 You are invited to light a candle and join me as we finish sitting with Psalm 42 this morning. You may find this psalm at https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2042&version=NRSVUE. My favorite verse in all of the psalms is found in this one, where “deep calls to deep” (verse 7). Within eachContinueContinue reading “Wednesday, Advent Week 3: Deep”
Monday, Advent Week 3: Thirst
Psalms of Advent, December 12, 2022 You are invited to join me as we listen to Psalm 42, the second to last of the Advent psalms for this season of seeking, waiting, anticipating, and searching for the light that shines in the darkness. Psalm 42 is familiar to many people because of the memorable imageryContinueContinue reading “Monday, Advent Week 3: Thirst”
Saturday, Advent Week 2: A Poem
Please light a candle and join me on this Advent journey and exploration of the Psalms of Advent. In my last blog, I wondered about the invitation to make praise both a worship and an everyday practice and experience. This poem is the response to my reflection on that. Like the psalm we have lookedContinueContinue reading “Saturday, Advent Week 2: A Poem”
Wednesday, Advent Week 2: A Poem
The Psalms of Advent, December 7, 2022 Since yesterday’s post on Psalm 21 and my thoughts on the word “presence” (https://wordpress.com/view/spirit-reflections.org), I’ve had a desire to write a poem about the presence of the Divine as my meditation on this psalm. I thought of that Presence who revealed Itself in evening walks in gardens, inContinueContinue reading “Wednesday, Advent Week 2: A Poem”
Tuesday, Advent Week 2: Presence
The Psalms of Advent, December 6, 2022 Psalm 21 is abundant with words seeking to be heard and treasured in the heart: rejoice, joy, desire, request, and love, as just a sampling: The king rejoices in your strength, LORD.How great is his joy in the victories you give!You have granted him his heart’s desireand haveContinueContinue reading “Tuesday, Advent Week 2: Presence”
Spirit Reflections 