A Time For…

Good morning friends,

Today in Jersey City the sun shines brightly and the birds are singing. It’s a stark contrast from the news of yesterday afternoon in Uvlade, Texas where 19 children and two teachers where killed in a senseless shooting. 

The smell of coffee in to-go cups and sound of horns honking as people go to work on Wednesday may make us forget that it’s only been 12 days since 10 were killed in an act of racial terrorism at a supermarket in Buffalo; another senseless shooting. 

So, here we are—sun, birds, coffee, commuting—and sadness…

Martin Luther is reported to have said something like, “I begin everyday with an hour of prayer…and when I have much to do; or am overwhelmed by the world I spend two.” This means of course that, tempted though we may be, to throw up our hands (or throw ourselves into work) there is spiritual wisdom in slowing down. 

I commend prayer, scripture, and slowing down—especially today. 

I invite you to pray and talk with me and others by Zoom today at 3pm. (Please click link to join.)

Prayer, conversation, scripture—slowing down; especially when sadness, anger, or anxiety overwhelm us are just what we need. 

…oh and poetry too!

I told you two weeks ago (24 minute mark) that the stillness of the Church of St. Paul and Incarnation in the morning is a perfect place to pray and to read scripture. It’s also a place I pray by reading poetry. This is the poem I read today by Wendell Berry called, The Peace of Wild Things. 

“When despair for the world grows in me

and I wake in the night

at the least sound

in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.

I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light.

For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. “

May you be free today of anxiety and anger. Looking forward to praying with you at 3pm. 

+Father Martin