When I close my eyes,
sometimes,
I feel you so close
it stops flight.In the roar of quiet
when my heartbeat
isn’t thumping but
pushing blood,
a rushing bloody ocean,
I grab my breath
because of the glimpse of you,
so impossible you are.In that pulsing
soundless air,
I feel you
and I breathe
and I rest
and sleep.
It is with great gratitude and humility that I am so very happy to announce that I have been named the first Artist-In-Residence by our Parish Leadership Team at A Church of the Holy Family, ECC in Aurora, Colorado. We are a church in the Ecumenical Catholic Communion who truly welcomes all.
I will be be developing ways for our community to share our stories through the arts. I myself am a writer and actor, but we have artisans of all types, ages, and passions within our family. We will be discovering, acknowledging, and sharing them with one another and the world.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Lexanne
A recent post from our pastor, Fr. Scott Jenkins:
The passion in your heart will guide you…
That is the answer to several questions I am usually asked over the course of a twelve month period. Somewhere around February or March, juniors and even seniors in high school will begin to verbalize a stirring of the waters in their hearts. “How do I know what I am supposed to do with the rest of my life?” “How do I know what I want to do when I grow up?” These questions carry a lot of energy, they are very important, and the answers seem to be the most elusive thing in the whole world!
Over the years, I have come to believe that God is the best communicator of all time. I believe that when we say, “God has created us in God’s image,” or “God loves us”, we are saying a whole bunch of things that are great to hear and trust. It means God wants us to reflect the awesome, life-changing love we have received and pass it on fully to others.
I have come to believe it means we all have been created with unique gifts to make the world a better place. And…I believe that God has given each of us a holy desire, a flaming passion that matches our giftedness and we are to unite the two in discovering what to do with the life we have been given. Our gifts + our passion = the path to our vocation, what our major will be in college or where do I volunteer now that I am retired? God wants us to know about our life path. There is no game of hide and seek going on here.
The same is true in Community life. People ask, “What are we going to focus on next year?” “Where shall I put my energy?” I love to hear these questions! It leads to a path of listening and eventually to discovery! Tell me…what are you passionate about? When you know this, you will be involved in something that ignites your life. If you have not discovered your passion, I look forward to walking with you so we may prayerfully discover it together.
What will Holy Family do next year? I believe we will bring about a real life engagement of our vision statement which boldly proclaims that we will…”foster a progressive environment that empowers spiritual growth and community service!” I am excited to see how this will show itself through all of us.
In Christ, Father Scott
A Church of the Holy Family, ECC
16738 E. Iliff Ave
Aurora, CO 80013-1135
Nibbles here and there avow success.
Seeds quarried, treasure consumed.
Autumn squirrels breach leathery pods,
mine sweet meat encased until
embryos are undone from their womb.
No spring sprouts for my garden.Unknowing, the vessel has more
than one purpose I demand,
serves to honor more than I accept.
Envy rends, bit by bit,
until Your nucleus is devoured.
Lost in my narrow sight
a dried husk remains.In release of exclusive eyes
harvest is abundant,
an unceasing yield by Your hand.
Gleaners in union with our Holy One,
regardless of title or status,
all are sanctioned at Your banquet.
.
.
.
Author’s Note:
38 John spoke up, “Teacher, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t in our group.”
– Mark 9:38-50The Message (MSG)
In Sunday’s reading the disciples are upset that there are others, not within their own special group, who are claiming to do works in the name of Jesus. The disciples only see through their narrow vision, not through the wide berth Jesus offers to all.
Envy gets in my way quite frequently. It takes away my focus, doesn’t let me see the whole picture. My ego is exclusive. Passage meditation is one way that helps me loosen that tight grip.
And the weekly newsletter, Word From Below, by Street Psalms always offers clarity. Thank you.
May I be a quiet warrior
Hear your voice
Unleash it from within
Soothe the wounded fearfulMay I be a quiet warrior
Patient in my step
Honor each footfall
Leave no markMay I be a quiet warrior
Still in your vision
Understand You
In each face I meet, hand I touchMay I be a quiet warrior
Cleansed in your fire
A tender Union
I am your quiet warrior
The backdoor yawns its welcome
as your paws slip and slide
on wooden floors, you a courier of
locust leaves, golden, mossy green, and crisp.A fragile baptism peppers the deck,
each shake of limb in autumn wind
arouses flutter bottomward.I sweep away once more.
Relentlessly they perfect their purpose,
celebrate Your passion.
If all would drop at once
I could keep it at bay, rather,I release to Your miraculous pattern,
a shift and rare array with each
pad across the porch.I sit in wonder, not grab
for dominion, You honor
me with grace at each turn,
relinquish marvel in every Breath.
.
.
.
Author’s Note:
From the Sunday lectionary, September 20, 2015 – Lectio Divina
Psalm 54: 6, The Message
I’m ready now to worship, so ready.
I thank you, God—you’re so good.
Soon to unfold……
“What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade for your soul?” – Mark 8: 35 The Message
Abandoned places.
There is a photo of a church in France, one that is abandoned. Through the broken windows, light streams in. It is not a dark place. In fact, it is bright with life.
The rich wood of the past blanches to an almost cream. Ornate trim, it’s difficult to tell if it is tile or plaster or paint, has paled gracefully with age.
Greenery of all kinds – bushes, weeds, trees – sprouted up through the broken floor tiles, not to be dismissed.
It seems the church found itself, its soul. Its true self has come into fullness in a grand, yet humble stillness. The glory of the Divine finally has been allowed to take over, be.
It is not the stuff we have, the places we visit, or the power we achieve. It is the finding of our souls where the Holy One thrives.
Don’t lose it.
Loose the rest and Love will grow eternal.
Peace.
The cool does not rise high enough.
A fan roosts in the upstairs bedroom
window whirring air inside from
outside’s evening calm. The sun below
my viewpoint allows only a cadet grey
to tint what soon will be a veil
of glistering pinpricks against
a sable tarp.Here I lie in stillness
except for the roar of motor
grinding on to subdue the remainder
of day’s heat infused into walls
surrounding my dissolution.I release into slumber.
May your sweet hands hold my light
while darkness enfolds me.May I leave space for You as
dreams give way to wonder.May you girdle me upon my rise,
awash in your nucleus of vision,
your bold demand, Your love for me
as I for You and for all.
To Create... 