The beatitudes dropped into a place of quiet musing since Wednesday. The line that has struck me in our practice was, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." The pining of it all for the healing of the world, in war and discord, is rough terrain. Feeling the pangs of violence in Haiti, a country squashed by empire for generations, the ongoing wars and poke-in-the-eye politics in the US. Our practice reminded me that while never to dismiss or turn a blind eye to politics, but gathers the mustard of courage and hope in the incarnational glint in one another's eye. To fan the flame. to embrace one another in our mess, and take one step ahead. Faith in life, not the powers that be. especially on this Good Friday, the bells of the beatitudes ring clearer.
Last week was going to be my first time joining, but I mixed up the date, I was so disappointed. God provides in unexpected ways, the technical issue last week allowed me to join you today 🙏 So grateful for this experience ❤️ Blessings, Paul!
The beatitudes dropped into a place of quiet musing since Wednesday. The line that has struck me in our practice was, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." The pining of it all for the healing of the world, in war and discord, is rough terrain. Feeling the pangs of violence in Haiti, a country squashed by empire for generations, the ongoing wars and poke-in-the-eye politics in the US. Our practice reminded me that while never to dismiss or turn a blind eye to politics, but gathers the mustard of courage and hope in the incarnational glint in one another's eye. To fan the flame. to embrace one another in our mess, and take one step ahead. Faith in life, not the powers that be. especially on this Good Friday, the bells of the beatitudes ring clearer.
Needed to recomtemper-colate again tonight. Reinforced and focused my Wednesday meanderings. I did write this before reading any comments below:
I am learning that the comfort that arises for me from mourning is this:
a growing realization that all of us grieve, if not for a person or loss,
then for the sorrows of the world, the wounds of the planet.
The community of lament binds us in empathy and compassion.
It is enkindling in me the thirst for justice, the hunger to ease suffering.
And the mercy to extend to myself and all when I, when we, stumble on this
path. Divine Abba, Amma, forgive us all, we know not what we do.
Last week was going to be my first time joining, but I mixed up the date, I was so disappointed. God provides in unexpected ways, the technical issue last week allowed me to join you today 🙏 So grateful for this experience ❤️ Blessings, Paul!
Thanks for posting the recording. I live in ALaska and probably won’t be able to make the regular time slot. Peace