A Morning Offering (-John O’Donohue)
We bless the night that nourished our hearts to set the ghosts of longing free
Into the flow and figure of dream that went to harvest from the dark
Bread for the hunger no one sees.
All that is eternal in us welcomes the wonder of this day,
The field of brightness it creates offering time for each thing
To arise and illuminate.
We place on the altar of dawn: the quiet loyalty of breath,
The tent of thought where we shelter, waves of desire we are shore to
And all beauty drawn to the eye.
May our minds come alive today to the invisible geography
That invites us to new frontiers, to break the dead shells of yesterdays,
To risk being disturbed and changed.
May we have the courage today to live the life that we would love,
To postpone our dreams no longer but do at last what we came here for
And waste our hearts on fear no more.
Beloved Friends,
Endings and beginnings-that is what I am thinking about in these first few days of a new year. And it is why I have chosen to share John O’Donohue’s beautiful “Morning Offering.” In short, it is my pray for us; not only as a way to greet each new day with courage, but also as an attitude and posture for how we might greet this new year as a community of faith. We have so much waiting for us to discover and embrace in these coming months- more vision work, new staff, new approaches to living out our faith beyond the walls of the church, building projects, conversations about worship, service, formation, a new vestry and on and on. All of it exciting, even if at times overwhelming, but without a doubt, a season of expectation and hope and promise inviting us all into a deeper engagement and level of involvement.
We are living in “interesting times” in our church and in the world; a time in between what was and what is yet to be. For over 175 years Trinity has welcomed those seeking a place to belong; has responded to the needs of the community; has sought to be a vibrant and relevant expression of our Episcopal tradition; and has responded authentically to God’s demand on our lives to live
fearlessly as followers of Christ. This is who we have been and will continue to be with God’s help. May we “waste our hearts on fear no more.” What also lies ahead is the clear need to face into meaningful and relevant questions and conversations about God’s vision for our future. We are poised and ready and I am so very grateful we have found each other for the work that lies ahead.
I give thanks this day for starting a new year together in our corner of God’s vineyard. May we continue to grow in our understanding of what it means to be disciples; welcoming the stranger, feeding the hungry, visiting those who are lost or alone and then coming “home” to be nurtured through the bread and wine we are honored to break and receive together each week.
Come home this Sunday; your place will be set. We will gather at 8:15 and again at 10:45 to transfer and celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany when we hear again the story of the Magi finding Jesus, bringing all of who they are to discover the source of love and peace wrapped in clothe lying in a cold dark manger in an out of the way place, just waiting to be seen and heard.
May we too see and hear what the Magi discovered so long ago and find
the courage today to live the life that we would love,
To postpone our dreams no longer but do at last what we came here for
and waste our hearts on fear no more.
Happy New Year dear ones!
Lisa