Monthly Archives: November 2012

God of holy surprises

30 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by in Prayers, Reflections, Worship Liturgy

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Change-the-worldThe season of Advent begins the liturgical year for the Christian Church. It is a time of inward reflection and anticipation of the coming of Christ — in the birth of Jesus, in the spiritual rebirth of Christian believers, and in the return of the Messiah in glory at a time no one can know or foresee.

“Prepare” is a central idea of this season! Prepare to be surprised by God. Prepare to open your life to divine inspiration. Prepare to listen to the stirring of the Spirit in the ordinary moments of each day. Prepare to see the glory of the coming of the Lord. Prepare for something new to break into the world!

In the Christian tradition we celebrate a meal called Holy Communion. Another term we use is Eucharist, the root meaning of which is to rejoice or show gratitude for the gifts of God.

Here is a Eucharistic Prayer I wrote for the season of Advent:

God of holy surprises,
whose dreams encircle the world,
whose wisdom enlightens creation,
whose love enthralls humankind,
be with us in this season of watching and waiting.

We are a people living in exile
in a land blinded by material comfort,
corporate greed, and military might.

We are a people living in spiritual exile
in an age confronted by rigid beliefs,
increasing intolerance, and growing unkindness.

We long for you to tear open the heavens and come down,
so that the mountains quake
and nations tremble at your presence.                                                Isaiah 64:1-2

We long for you to come at an hour or day no one knows,
and to find us awake to the possibilities your Spirit unfolds.

In the fullness of time your Son Jesus
lived and ministered upon this troubled earth –
forgiving sins,
healing broken bodies, minds and hearts,
challenging the powers that strangle and bind,
eating and drinking with sinners and friends,
loving people of every description,
walking the lonely road of authentic love.

He blessed and shared many a meal
as signs of how sacred ordinary life is.

He shared bread as his body, broken for all.
He shared wine as his blood, poured out for all.

In the fullness of time your Son Jesus gave his life,
because it is our lives – first given to us –
that are ours alone to give.

Pour out your Spirit, we pray, on us gathered here.
May we taste the sweetness of your presence.
May we be changed by the gift of your grace.
May we go from this place to be the body of Christ,
redeemed and sent out to heal and transform the world.  Amen.

Words (c) 2002 Mark Lloyd Richardson

Overflowing with Gratitude

21 Wednesday Nov 2012

Posted by in Prayers, Reflections

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On this eve of Thanksgiving Day in the United States, I share A Thanksgiving Blessing by Naomi King.

“Let us join our hands and hearts in gratitude on this wondrous day, where we have the abundance of our lives before us. We remember on this day of bounty all of those who do not have enough, who are afraid, who are lonely, and who suffer. We wish for the abundance of this world to be shared, for fear to become love, for the lonely to feel welcomed, and for the suffering to know rest and joy. For the labors, the love, the care that gave us the delights of this and every day, we say ‘Thanks!’ For the nourishment of our spirit, the challenges that strengthen us, and the friends we have on the journey, we sing ‘Thanks!’ For all that is our lives, for these good gifts, we whisper, ‘Thanks!’ Overflowing with gratitude, let us shout, ‘Thanks!’ Amen.” ~ Naomi King

This prayer is a blessed reminder to me to express my thanks to the One who is in all and around all and over all creation! We say our thanks, but we can also whisper or shout them. Each day is an invitation to give thanks for the good gifts of life.

I am also mindful this day of all those who suffer, and in particular the people affected by Hurricane Sandy, and those in harm’s way in Gaza and Israel. May they be comforted and strengthened in the days ahead.

Words and photo (c) 2012 Mark Lloyd Richardson

Your God Is Too Small

16 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by in Reflections

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“Think of God in a very big way. And if you do, that’s too small! You can’t think of anything more wonderful than this God. And you can’t figure out anything about God without a special grace. … God is so marvelously good, there is no word for it. So gentle. So considerate. So kind, so tender – so everything marvelous. That is God. And whatever you say is far less than it is. As Paul says, ‘It hasn’t crossed the imagination of any human being what God has prepared for those who love him.’” ~ Father Thomas Keating, speaking at the annual conference of Contemplative Outreach, Snowmass, CO, October 2012

Scripture does not contain all that God is. Nor does nature, or philosophy, or religion, or the human imagination. As human beings, we can only know God in small ways, and yet we can open our hearts to a deeper and holier experience of God through contemplation, prayer, and trusting our own sense of wonder and awe in the face of Ultimate Mystery! The God we imagine we know is always going to be smaller than the God whose steadfast love will ultimately have the last word in this world of incredible beauty and needless suffering.

Words and photo (c) 2012 Mark Lloyd Richardson

A Fallen Soldier

09 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by in Reflections

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Veterans Day is observed on November 11 each year as a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

I have known many veterans and have served as a military chaplain myself. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to all of our uniformed men and women who serve with honor, even as we continue to pray and work for a global community where conflicts and violence diminish and peace and prosperity prevail for all people.

Several years ago I was called to the bedside of a parishioner, retired U.S. Army Colonel Alphonso Topp. He had just died, surrounded by his loving wife and adult children. He was a career officer with an extraordinary military record, yet he was also a man of peace, a man of prayer, and a follower of Christ. He had a strong faith, and went to his grave with hope in the resurrection to eternal life.

As I reflected on his friendship and support I wrote this poem, which I shared at his memorial service.

This Veterans Day, take some time to remember and give thanks for the service and sacrifice of those wearing your country’s uniform.

A Fallen Soldier

His stature was unbowed even as his body
strained beneath the gravity of the years, even
as his legs faltered and refused to carry him.

Bravery is not enough in the end, nor is loyalty.
A man needs someone to care about, someone to
live beyond his appointed years and remember him.

It is the living who give testimony to the fallen—
who say he was the friend or the father I needed
when life cast its shadows over my dreams.

We mortals cannot know the day or the hour
when a soul shall gradually fold itself up
like the last tent on an abandoned battlefield.

The sun must finally set upon this life; then comes
a night of holy rest, the glow of dawn upon the hills,
and a bugle sounding forth a glorious new day.

Words (c) 2008, 2012 Mark Lloyd Richardson

Autumn Colors

02 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by in Reflections

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My wife Dallis and I were fortunate to travel to New York and Vermont in later September and early October this year. She took some amazing photographs on our trip, and I asked her to select five of her favorite ones that I could share with you here. I have indicated my best recollection of locations. Please enjoy! (You can click on a photo to enlarge it.)

We spent one afternoon in the Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn where we discovered some beautiful ponds.

In Vermont we drove many back roads to explore parts of the state you can’t see from the main roads. Here is one serene setting we discovered off the beaten path.

We visited the historic village of Grafton, Vermont, and had great fun walking the quiet streets near the brook running through town!

As we drove one day through parts of upstate New York, we stumbled upon a cemetery in Salem where there are more Revolutionary War soldiers buried than anywhere else in Washington County.

All of these gorgeous photos represent wonderful memories of a shared experience, which is especially exemplified in this last photo of Vermont fall colors!

Remember my friends that this world is a place of beauty and blessing!

Open your eyes to all of life’s glorious colors, textures, and experiences!

Photos (c) 2012 Dallis Day Richardson