Ash Wednesday Reflection

Categories: Healing & Restoration · Holy Days · Prayer SquaresTags: · · · · · ·

Today is Ash Wednesday AND we welcome the new moon… a potent day for connecting with the dust of the earth and setting an intention for healthy rhythms in our life. For a long time, I’ve loved Ash Wednesday. The depth of this day has called my name. This, the first day of the Lenten season, brings recognition to the path of Christ that leads to his death and resurrection. In the Christian tradition, I’ve often experienced the main focus has been on LIGHT, light, LIGHT — focus on all that is glimmer. One thing I truly appreciate about the…

Marked for Resurrection

Categories: Healing & Restoration · Holy DaysTags: · · · · · · · · · · · ·

A blend of ash and oilsmudged upon my forehead.This mark.Not one of mourning,nor for the mortality of suffering —but rather,to honor the dust of our livesas atoms of transformationthat hover in the wakeof our becoming. Divine breath speaks,“Let there be light.”And, there IS.Here —I am sparked. Lit anewto walk the road,shed outgrown skin,claim holy desires that reside within,walk toward the resurrectionof Christlikeness only I can bring to the world. Today, I am marked to live fully. And, it is good.Very good.

6pm: Twilight Reflection (A Lenten Pause)

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This season of Lent, I am focusing on the monastic practice of seven daily pauses. Each week, I offer you a poem and piece of gradually changing art for each pause. Last week, we rested at the Hour of Wisdom (3pm). This week, we break at 6pm, the Twilight Hour. A wonderful book greatly aiding me through this series is Seven Sacred Pauses by Macrina Wiederkehr. You’ve touched ribbons of sunlight with your fingertips. Now, the shimmer of moonbeam awaits your presence. You’ve arrived, to the edge of the day, where the sun kisses the moon. The verge of rest…

3pm: All Shall Be Well (Lenten Pause)

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This season of Lent, I am focusing on the monastic practice of seven daily pauses. Each week, I offer you a poem and piece of gradually changing art for each pause. Last week, we rested at the Hour of Illumination(12pm). This week, we break at 3pm, the Hour of Wisdom. A wonderful book greatly aiding me through this series is Seven Sacred Pauses by Macrina Wiederkehr. Here we are, midafternoon, By now, the day has 
witnessed us trip up, led astray, race quick Ashes have fallen upon us 
in word and deed, we swept in by the waves of life:…

Mid-Day Peace (A Lenten Pause)

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This season of Lent, I am focusing on the monastic practice of seven daily pauses. Each week, I offer you a poem and piece of gradually changing art for each pause. Last week, we rested at the Blessing Hour (9am). This week, we break at Noon, the Hour of Illumination. A wonderful book greatly aiding me through this series is Seven Sacred Pauses by Macrina Wiederkehr. We’ve reached the noon hour. There’s no turning back. The cool, dark shadows are gone, a ribbon of sun stream at its’ peak, Yes, look close— a white energetic glow falls over all the…