Seeking Authentic Voice

Holy and Gracious One, God of our Mothers and Fathers, we give you thanks, this day and every day. Thank you   for this gift of life, a precious blessing, a hope - that we may magnify Your Name. Be with us as we labor through   this life. Be with us as we struggle through pain. Be with us in our suffering. Be with us   through the storms the ice, snow, wind. Real or metaphor. Be with us this day. Be with us as we labor to birth new life, whatever   that new life might be. Be with us that we can be your hands   and heart in a broken world. Amen Prayer poem and photo by Terri c. Pilarski

A reflection the propers for Advent 3C: Luke 3:7-18 A few days ago I decided to make chocolate chip cookies, a double batch. And while the butter softened in the afternoon sun that streamed in the kitchen window, I took my dogs for a walk. It was a clear, crisp, sunny day, following that winter storm that packed near hurricane strength winds. Debris still littered the streets, branches and shriveled cacti, and streams of mud. I plugged in my iPod, popped in the earphones, leashed up the dogs and walked out the front door. There I encountered the roar of an engine. Even through the music and the headphones, I could hear it, a border patrol helicopter. Looking to my left I saw it, almost close enough to see the pilot. The helicopter was making a small circle around an area about block from where I stood. With a deep sigh I headed off on my walk, the hum of the helicopter vibrating through my headphones. By the time I returned home however the copter was gone. So, too, probably whoever th...

Yesterday, as the wind blew in southern Arizona, I drove from the southern end of the state to midsection and back, some six hours of driving. In the early part of the day the southern section had sustained winds around 25 miles an hour with gusts up to 50, the midsection had pouring rain. I have not seen rain like that since we moved here. Last night we tried to sleep, but as our bedroom is on the corner of the house, nearest the arroyo (canyon) and open to the southwest, the wind raged, no idea at what speeds, and everything shook. There is damage outside. Grapefruit trees blown over, hibiscus trees knocked down, the pool full of debris. But no broken windows. And, now, silence. There have been lots of storms raging these days, in the lives of people I know, my own life too. Humans can inflict such violence, verbally, physically, and psychologically, against one another. Often the infliction is nothing more than a person lashing out of their own hurt, inflicting pain on others, as a ...

The light slants from the south casting shadows in its wake startling the afternoon - a breath of brilliance before the final sigh - and the sun falls into darkness Daylight comes late and leaves early dark more than light, Advent, and yet, Christmas busyness takes over calling out You must! while inside my soul whispers be still for just a moment be still.

Advent Endless indigo beckoning inward dark night, soul Expect another dawn anticipate warmth new light life Wait, pause Slow down, take time let the moment resonate