The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:30 NRSV
Today is the annunciation, which is also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Annunciotion of the Lord. This is when the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her that she would become the mother of Jersus Christ, the Son of God.
Mary is the first disciple. She brings us to a deep understanding of what discipleship is about. She shows what it means to die and live with the crucified Christ. Mary brought Jesus into the world. She brings Jesus to us leading us along with her right to the foot of the cross.
Grace didin't come to Mary because of her social status, family line or superior piety. Grace came to Mary because God is gracious. Period.
The words of the angel to Mary, in her very simple odinary ways, in her very simple ordinary life, are words to all of us. "Greetings favored one, the Lord is with you", and if like Mary we are confused we can be reassured by the words of the angel, "With God nothing is impossible".
Mary belongs in Lent as much as in Advent. The journey to the cross is the journey of God with us. It is a journey that begins and ends with the announcement that we are favored, that the Lord is with us and we are blessed.
Heavenly Father,
you have created us to serve you.
You sent your angel, Gabriel to announce your favor to Mary.
We ask Lord, that we with Mary, will find grace in your service.
In your name we pray. Amen.
Sometimes there are no words to share or describe a feeling. Sometimes you just have to be. Watching my rector kneel before our community and God, was spirit filled and a moment I will never forget. The Holy Spirit was palpable. The energy, this prayer, the sacredness...the entire sanctuary rested in the palm of God's hand and "All shall be well".
O Lord my God, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; yet you have called your servant to stand in your house, and to serve at your altar. To you and to your service I devote myself, body, soul, and spirit. Fill my memory with the record of your mighty works; enlighten my understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit; and may all the desires of my heart and will center in what you would have me do. Make me an instrument of your salvation for the people entrusted to my care, and grant that I may faithfully administer your holy Sacraments, and by my life and teaching set forth your true and living Word. Be always with me in carrying out the duties of my ministry. In prayer, quicken my devotion; in praises, heighten my love and gratitude; in preaching, give me readiness of thought and expression; and grant that, by the clearness and brightness of yourholy Word, all the world may be drawn into your blessed kingdom. All this I ask for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
My soul longs for your presence, Lord. When I turn my thoughts to you, I find peace and contentment.
Our lives are a journey, a pilgrimage.
From our mysterious origins, through our childhood and growing years, we have set forth along a unique path amidst our families or the significant people close to us. So, for myself, wherever I am along that journey which is mine, in light or in darkness, struggling or in relative peace and stability, still I am being drawn forward, along a pilgrimage way. Perhaps I haven’t seen things from this perspective, or have forgotten it, but it is the truth of my life: I am called by name,
"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." Isaiah 43
We all journey along a unique path, God with me, God before me, all along the way that is mine. ‘I will bless you and go before you’, God said to Abraham and Sarah, the parents of our way of faith, journeying in the desert as virtual nomads, on the basis of God’s promise and Covenant.
Today, in our endlessly, bewildering and challenging world, we are especially called to travel in faith, and to depend on God’s word and blessing, that comes to us in Jesus. We are all called to be disciples. As we grow in faith and in our own unique discipleship, we come to live the gospel, the good news that God has acted in Jesus to save us.
Maybe, like the disciples on the Mount of the Transfiguration, we might hear the words, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour; listen to him’. (Matthew 17:5) Lord, let me listen to you. Guide me, and lead me on.
A few months ago my youngest son, Al approached me reminding me that I had not written about him on this blog. I was impressed that he actually takes the time to read my blog. Each time he would joke with me about this, I would tell him I planned on writing about him. It seemed most appropriate to wait until his 17th birthday which was just a few months away. Al turned 17 on March 16th. In addition to your car speakers(that must be a guy thing)this is my gift to you my son.
Dear Al,
When I began writing this birthday letter to you I thought to that day in the car with you when we were driving the back way to Woodgrove. I remember telling you how lucky you were that each day you could see the mountains as you drove to school and the simplicity of the dirt road on the way to the high school was such a gift that forced you to slow down in this busy life we all lead. God is everywhere I said. You asked me to listen to this song. You said "Mom, I think you'll like this"
As we drove and listened to this song of course I had a video of your life playing in my mind. You sung along to the song and I had a few tears. It was a special moment. I love you and I love the gentleman you are and young man you are growing up to be.
From the moment I felt the first flutter of your life growing inside me we were connected in a special way. Mothers are connected to all their children in a unique way, even though you, Jess and Jeff never really believed that and would rally for how special you each are, in a fun teasing way.
As you mom I have given you my love but not my thoughts, you have your own thoughts. I have housed your body but not your soul. Kahlil Gabran writes, " For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams"
Watching you grow up has been fun. You have made me laugh and smile everyday of your life, from hide and seek to jamming on your guitar. You love life and you approach life with adventure and inquisitiveness. I watch you in your world of being an introvert and a thinker.
You love your siblings. Your sister has taken care of you from day one and the friendship you both share is a joy to watch. Jeff, has loved the role of older brother from the day you were born. Of course now they think you get everything you want, as it should be, right? You are the baby and the only one at home now after all!
You have a tender heart that is such a gift to everyone who is in your life, along with what I will call "private faith" that leads you to trust in the unknown and know God is so real. Thank you for sharing this with me, for sharing the 23rd psalm.
Yes Al, the Lord is your shepherd. It is also the unspoken words in the moments we share of spiritual connection, something beyond our understanding and we trust it.
We have often talked about those moments that you have experienced God's presence in your life. I think of our time together on Loyalty Road when that car accident occurred in front of us and the man died in my arms. Our many conversations about that resulted in a discussion , that I shared with you when I had gone to talk with our priest about this. You said to me then, "Mom, did you tell him that God talks to me too." I hope you will always be open to the movement of God in your life and that you will always keep your listening heart open to the limitless possibilities of that special relationship with God, where ever it leads you.
Of course, we can never forget the life changing events of our trip to Costa Rica. As awful as that experience was, watching you and your dad be swallowed up by the rip tide, I think in our own ways,we all came out of that experience knowing God gave us a second chance at being a family. We all experienced that day differently and it hasn't always been easy. The hand of God was all over us that day and over you and your dad as you drifted deeper into the ocean. God stayed with you in the water, saving you, knowing the plans He has for you. Trust that. I guess my point is the realization that we are part of something much bigger than we can ever imagine.
O LORD, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.
For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.
How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
I try to count them—they are more than the sand; I come to the end—I am still with you.
O that you would kill the wicked, O God, and that the bloodthirsty would depart from me—
those who speak of you maliciously, and lift themselves up against you for evil!
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139
Tuck this away and read it often. Remember always, you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
As you prepare for your senior year my wish is that you embrace it with the spirit you embrace everything...with humor,your level head, with questions,with joy... You can do anything you put your heart and mind to. You are smart, articulate, and a good sport. I want you to know that I am your forever cheerleader where ever you go and with what ever you do.
We once talked about "no regrets". You shared with me that you did not want to have any regrets with your life now or in the future. Life passes too quickly to have any regrets. Just go for it. Empty your bucket list.
You know I have some regrets about some of my parenting and time slipping away. Did I listen well enough? Did we play long enough? Did I teach you enough? I hope you remember all the little things, the sound of our voices trying to sing in the car, the snuggle time when you were so little,the blanket forts,skiing with Dad, Halloween costumes, the happy times we share as a family, your good friends Jack and Drew, the "I love Al" posters from the girls at school, birthday cakes, dinners at Kobe's, late night chats in your room, the I love yous...I hope the video that will play in your mind someday when you look back, will be alive with the joyous sounds and smells of good memories, even the difficult memories will be ones of learning and growth. Our struggles do make us stronger.
"Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:1-5
You know I couldn't resist!
I love every minute of being your mom. So on your birthday this year I celebrate you. I thank you for the gift you give me each and every day, the gift of you being yourself and the gift of being your mom.
"Love you forever, like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be."
Happy Birthday
Love you,
Mom
It has been quite a long time since I have written. I have thought so many times about wanting to write but I have not had the energy. I have been busy with some great things which I will write about separately. I also have been busy just functioning. Mostly and honestly I am experiencing a wilderness. It seems most appropriate to share that now that it is Lent. The things that have brought me such joy where I hear and feel God have been silent. By faith I know God is with me. By faith I know that instead of fighting this, I need to embrace my wilderness, like Jesus did. This is my Lenten practice.
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:1-11
What motivated Jesus to spend 40 days of fasting, solitude and prayer in the desert wilderness? Where did he find His strength?
Can I spend the next 40 days fasting from the excess of my life, engaging in the prayerful solitude of centering prayer, to feed on the word of God and find the strength to do His will?
Today it begins with ashes. "From dust you have come and to dust you shall return." Life begins and life ends. There is new life with each ending. Deep within the darkness of my wilderness lies the imprint of green, the memory of life, the awareness of what has gone before and of what may yet be, the hope of transformation and new life taking hold. "From dust you have come and to dust you shall return."
Blessing for Ash Wednesday by Jan Richardson
So let the ashes come as beginning and not as end; the first sign but not the final. Let them rest upon you as invocation and invitation, and let them take you the way that ashes know to go. May they mark you with the memory of fire and of the life that came before the burning: the life that rises and returns and finds its way again. See what shimmers amid their darkness, what endures within their dust. See how they draw us toward the mystery that will consume but not destroy, that will blossom from the blazing, that will scorch us with its joy.
