Being Spring
MARCH 22ND, 2009 — 4TH SUNDAY IN LENT
WHEN I AM AMONG THE TREES (by Mary Oliver), EPHESIANS 2:4-10, JOHN 3:14-21
Dear Friends,
This is an exciting time at Spirit of Life as we eagerly prepare for our upcoming community retreat next Saturday, March 28th. All are welcome to this day of "Being Spring", and below are the details of the day which is intended to be one of inner renewal and connection with one other. Please join us if you can! For planning purposes, please send an email to rjblessings@gis.net if you are planning to come.
Sunday's gospel speaks of Christ as the true light who has come into our world to show us how to be "light" for one another. In keeping with this theme, we offer you a reading from Mary Oliver which we will use as our first reading at our Sunday Liturgy:
When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, "Stay awhile."
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, "It's simple," they say,
"and you too have come
into the world to do this,
to go easy,
to be filled with light,
and to shine."
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, "Stay awhile."
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, "It's simple," they say,
"and you too have come
into the world to do this,
to go easy,
to be filled with light,
and to shine."
(Mary Oliver)
Allowing ourselves to be "filled with light and to shine" is challenging in our complex world with steadily increasing demands on our time and energy, and situations close to home and afar on both the spiritual and practical level which are more likely to encourage us to 'close down' rather than be 'filled up'. Being with others who are likewise seeking to 'shine' in their hearts, in their lives, and in the lives of others requires support. The support of a faith community can be irreplaceable in this journey. If you are seeking community to support you as you strive to meeting God right in the middle of your life and to bring God's love and peace to all those you meet, we invite you to join us at Spirit of Life. As a community, we try wholeheartedly to "be Christ" to one another, to tend to the needs of one another, and to those in need in our world. Together, we celebrate our belief that we are being transformed by God's grace as we gather together in prayer. We warmly invite you to come and gather with us at our Table, and join in our experience of the "kin-dom" of God. We are an inclusive, open, affirming and interactive community, deeply committed to being a people of "justice and joy."
May your light shine to reveal God's love and peace, to all those whom you meet,
Find more about past weekly reflections and podcasts in our ARCHIVE PAGE.
