From the blast of the birthing of tens of billions of galaxies - the cosmos, earth and everything came to be filled with the fullness of divine love and life. We celebrate again God within, between and beyond. God Within as self-love and respect; we who take our places in creation as emerging beings creating new purpose and peace; God Between in love expressed and experienced between people, sexes, souls, families, communities, nations; God beyond in the mystery and grandeur of nature – possibilities abundant, presented, discovered, birthed into life-giving realities.

In this season of earth honouring and esteem given to the created order – including ourselves – we pause to remember now how we are graced and encouraged by the beauty around us. In this silence, we abide in gratitude for the emerging crocus or tulip, a smile from a child, melting waters, birds reappearing….

As we affirm the earth and our care with and for it, so too do we commit care to people around. We remember those of this family who are hurting. Those concerned about a child, a parent, a friend. Those in hospital, those reeling from the loss of one loved. We remember ones who are lonely. Those separated, divorced...those living with cancer. So many dramas, so many tears, waves of despair and anger. In and through it all, may we as individuals and as community be kind and encouraging voice, warm embrace, gentle presence to those around. We commit to a well-placed phone call or hand-written card to those who could benefit from a brief encounter - a brief connection.

We are mindful of the larger world, the scenarios that catch our attention. Those scenes that break our hearts and call us to be more informed - that call us to live differently here. As we take our place in life in the daily, may we be mindful of justice in our workplace, kindness in our language and a fundamental humility and gentleness in our step - realizing these are what the world needs for there to be shalom, peace, equality. As we consider Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Pine-Ridge reservation and so many other places, may we learn, change, grow and commit to the things that make a positive difference here and perhaps there as well. May we resist the rhetoric that divides and cut closer to the truth in our lives, in the life of our political and economic systems- realizing the freedom and oppression inherent within them and us.

We open our senses to life, to each other; we open our hearts to be uplifted and broken; we open our minds to be more human, more humane and to be more than who we were yesterday. We move beyond the understandings and shackles of sin that limit us- into the freedom that allows us to fly with new hope and life-giving interdependence. And we pray in honor of all that is beautiful, truthful and holy. Amen.

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