Unfolding, An Advent Meditation

October 8, 2015 by leximagines

Announcing the publication of my new book of poetry and prayers.

I know it is a bit early to announce. But if you would like to share this with your community, below is a sample page.

Tuesday
For Our Earth
Luke 21: 25-28

Breathe

Unfolding
The earth declares your Wonder,
winds roaring over plains,
snows laden heavy on our land,
waters in contempt of their barriers.

It is in your delicate disclosure
I still myself to hear
the bleat of the infant voice,
the One who will bear us home to you.

Selah
Nature moves with force, but also in whispers. Can you make time today to slow down and notice the world around you to allow yourself to enjoy a bit of nature?

Mantram
Immerse me in your promise.

Blessing
In praise of sleeping roots wintering
underground, may I take time to rest.
In praise of darkened nights,
may I find peace enough to slumber.
In praise of water icebound,
may I make time for transformation.

Breathe

Unfolding is a daily devotional for the season of Advent. Beginning with the first Sunday in Advent, Lexanne Leonard brings a gentleness to the days through her offering of scripture, poetry, and prayer, ending on Christmas morning. It is a breath and pause to reconnect with the Divine in these busy days of Advent.

Each meditation was written through lectio divina from the lectionary readings for each Sunday of Advent, Cycle C. Every day a piece of the Sunday scripture is expressed through poetry, prayer, and reflection. Also, each day of the week is dedicated to bringing to the forefront compassionate concerns for our world.

Through Lexanne’s own practice of Passage Meditation, she presents a “mantram,” a short phrase, for each week. It can be said throughout the day to bring one back to the present and to draw strength from the scripture passages, poems, and prayers offered in the daily meditation.

“Here, within her words is the rhythm we all may be seeking. Instead of clamor, there is quiet. Rather than over spending in order to give, there is the offering of gift which no money can buy. We will not faint under the pressure to get things checked off a list, but instead simplicity is called upon with bible, candle, silence, and reflection.” – Scott Jenkins, Director, Celtic Way

It is now available at Amazon.com or your local independent bookseller.

Artist-In-Residence

September 27, 2015 by leximagines

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

Bride of Kildare

January 31, 2015 by leximagines

A clootie, prayer cloth, hanging from my tree outside welcoming St. Brigid this eve of her feast day.

Radiant Fire

Oh, my beloved, from my hands words flow,
radiant fire, Bride’s ignited glow.

In your blessing through fire’s light,
I am a poet in Brigid’s night.

Oh, my beloved, I walk your guiding rays,
luminous flame, Kildare’s bright blaze.

In your blessing through fire’s light,
I see deeply in Brigid’s night.

Oh, my beloved, I’m forged by your hand,
Mary of Gael’s ardent brand.

In your blessing through fire’s light,
I am transformed in Brigid’s night.

Author’s Note:

Tonight is the eve of St. Brigid’s Feast Day. This year I am devoting thirty days to her and trying my hand a writing some prayers. Above is one of my first attempts.

I am learning about Celtic spirituality and she is known as a patron of poets and bards. She was a wonderful and powerful woman. A great goddess to know.

The photo is a clootie, a prayer cloth. I will say the prayer as I hang this tonight. It is said that as she travels through the veil this evening, she will bless those who welcome her with this mantle.

A Garden Balanced

July 3, 2014 by leximagines

I wander through my little plot of land,
know what’s needed for growth. I nurture

your beauty to share with the world, choose
each of you for your elegance of color or scent,

hardiness to sun and snow, cold and dry.
I allow you room to grow, but know you

need more than just yourself to bounce your
radiance against, each of you splendid in your

charms but more resplendent and robust
together. Stepping away I allow your existence

to thrive. With wonder I realize how grand you
are alone, yet together, a fanfare of perfection.

With wonder I puzzle why I am still not welcomed
with such grace to grow, rise equally in kinship

uprooting fractional descant. Inside my passion
is aflame. I am a voice to complete Wisdom and Light.

I long to rise hand in hand with you, partnered in
journey. In parity we can grow, a garden balanced.

Together we can perfect harmony, not one above
the other, but side by side secure in Mystery.

Author’s Note:

I write this for those of us marginalized – women in the church, those in poverty, those is relationships not allowed, anyone whose light is diminished.

We are not in harmony for many reasons. If we could see how desperately we need to be hand in hand with each other despite our differences, we would realize how much we need one another, and we could heal.

A special and heartfelt sigh to Meggan Watterson and her incredible book I just fell into, REVEAL. It is changing my life. I am dropping the veils and looking to complete the whole.

And, as always, I am glad to have found A Church of the Holy Family and the Ecumenical Catholic Communion where all are welcome. Of course, there is always more work to be done and growth to be made, such as more inclusive language. But we are working on that.

Kintsugi

June 14, 2014 by leximagines

It was a small crack that ran
up the side of the cup. It no
longer held matter completely,
it was no longer perfect.

The beauty of the cup was not
tarnished though. No. The
treasure was transformed.
You understood.

The crack was there to let in
light, you said. To illumine
splendor deep inside. You
could see it.

In Japan they fill cracks with gold.
Once damage is done, history is
fashioned. Filled with tenderness
it becomes precious anew.

You fill my brokenness with Your
grace mending it with Your light.
More beautiful than before I am
made whole once again.
.