I am not liturgical by birth. No “cradle Episcopalian” here. While one could say the Presbyterian services of my childhood were “works of the people,” one definition of liturgies, we didn’t rely on the ancient scripts of the Book of Common Prayer.
Thus I am repeatedly surprised, even delighted, as I lean increasingly into these centuries-old forms from our ancestors.
I’ve decided to read Morning Prayer for these 40 days of Lent, with God’s help. Please God.
And assistance is showing up. First I remembered the audio version that Father Steve introduced me to years ago. Then I listened to it while commuting to work. Now I can listen while I stretch. Next I found pre-made ribbon bookmarks online (nine sets for only $11!). They help me flip pages after marking the various scriptures. And now Mother Linzi has invited us to join her via Zoom to pray and worship on the weekdays.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
Oby is more than just my pet; he’s my baby. Every time I come home, his joyous celebration makes it seem as if we’ve been separated for ages. It’s a heartwarming reminder that to him, I am the center of his world. When I’m away, he displays a deep loyalty, often waiting by the door and even foregoing meals until my return. In sickness, he lies faithfully by my side, and in moments of happiness, he shares in the celebration. Even during work, he stays close, perched on my lap. I am everything to him. Reflecting on this, it strikes me how wonderful it would be if we could share a similar relationship with our Creator. To rely on God, celebrate His presence, and make Him the focal point of our lives. Imagine God being our Light and our everything! The Creator offers us unconditional love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace. The question then becomes: Are we ready to accept and embrace these gifts? Just as Oby unconditionally gives me his love, can we open our hearts to receive the boundless love and grace that God extends to us? It’s a beautiful invitation to deepen our connection with the Divine and find fulfillment in a relationship where God is truly our everything.
Dios es Luz
Éste es el mensaje que Jesucristo nos enseñó y que les anunciamos a ustedes: que Dios es luz y que en él no hay ninguna oscuridad. (1 Juan 1:5)
Oby es más que mi mascota; es mi bebé. Cada vez que llego a casa, su alegre celebración da la impresión de que hemos estado separados durante siglos. Es un recordatorio conmovedor de que para él, soy el centro de su mundo. Cuando estoy fuera, muestra una lealtad profunda, a menudo esperando junto a la puerta e incluso sin comer hasta mi regreso. En la enfermedad, yace fielmente a mi lado, y en momentos de felicidad, comparte la celebración. Incluso durante el trabajo, se queda cerca, encaramado en mi regazo. Soy todo para él.
Reflexionando sobre esto, me sorprende lo maravilloso que sería si pudiéramos tener una relación similar con nuestro Creador. Confiar en Dios, celebrar Su presencia y hacerlo el punto focal de nuestras vidas. ¡Imagina que Dios sea nuestra Luz y nuestro todo! El Creador nos ofrece amor incondicional, perdón, misericordia y gracia. La pregunta entonces es: ¿Estamos listos para aceptar y abrazar estos regalos? Así como Oby me da su amor incondicional, ¿podemos abrir nuestros corazones para recibir el amor y la gracia ilimitados que Dios nos ofrece? Es una hermosa invitación a profundizar nuestra conexión con lo Divino y encontrar la plenitud en una relación donde Dios sea verdaderamente nuestro todo.
I woke up to a gigantic Valentine’s card and roses (thank you, my love). After expressing my love to my husband, I sent heartfelt Valentine’s greetings to my children, and spent some time reading and responding to a myriad of messages. I must admit, I feel mentally drained, yet amidst the exhaustion, I find a profound connection between the celebration of Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday on the same day—a narrative of creation, death, and recreation.
It all begins with love, the driving force of existence: “For God so loved the world…” Then, the inevitable reality of mortality sets in: “dust to dust…” Yet, from this very dust, there arises a promise of renewal, a recreation that transcends the mundane and temporal: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”.
In the convergence of Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday, let us not allow cynicism to rob us of the profound joy that comes from celebrating love, death, and creation. As we embark on this dual celebration in 2024, may it serve as a reminder that even in the face of mortality, love persists, and from the ashes of our old selves, a new creation emerges. Wishing you a blessed Lent filled with introspection, love, and the anticipation of a renewed spirit.
Amor…Muerte…Creación
Me desperté con una gigantesca tarjeta de San Valentín y rosas (gracias, mi amor). Después de expresar mi amor a mi amado esposo, envié saludos de San Valentín a mis hijos y pasé un tiempo leyendo y respondiendo a una multitud de mensajes. Debo admitir que me siento mentalmente agotada, pero en medio del cansancio, encuentro una conexión profunda entre la celebración del Día de San Valentín y el Miércoles de Ceniza en el mismo día: una narrativa de creación, muerte y recreación.
Todo comienza con el amor, la fuerza impulsora de la existencia: “Porque tanto amó Dios al mundo…”. Luego, la inevitable realidad de la mortalidad se presenta: “polvo eres y en polvo te convertirás…”. Sin embargo, de este mismo polvo surge la promesa de renovación, una recreación que trasciende lo mundano y temporal: “Por lo tanto, si alguno está en Cristo, nueva criatura es; las cosas viejas pasaron; he aquí todas son hechas nuevas.”.
En la convergencia del Día de San Valentín y el Miércoles de Ceniza, no permitamos que el cinismo nos robe la profunda alegría que proviene de celebrar el amor, la muerte y la creación. Mientras emprendemos esta doble celebración en 2024, que sirva como un recordatorio de que incluso frente a la mortalidad, el amor persiste, y de las cenizas de nuestro antiguo ser, surge una nueva creación. Les deseo una Cuaresma bendita llena de introspección, amor y la anticipación de un espíritu renovado.
Again, I am imagining a season of posting brief, daily stories. Again, I have invited people of color to join me.
Frankly, I feel hesitant, in part because I wonder what I can possibly share that might compare with last year when I was in the Holy Land. That’s when poet and fellow pilgrim, Seyi, joined me here as a guest author.
But you know how God can be. When I was hemming and hawing, another friend said she might write too and I saw some of your comments that I’d missed. This was the encouraging fuel I needed.
Ok God, I’m in, with your help. We’ll see what happens.
Always Bridging 