Life-giving Spirit - that which both unifies and differentiates; sacred balance and presence within neighbor to our left and to our right - within and beyond all creation. We are open now to that age-old, difficult yet liberating proclamation that we are very good and that we hold within us capacity to create and destroy, to be loving and to be apathetic, to embrace and to turn away. We open our minds and bodies again to the profound affirmation that we are joined together in intimate human family. We gather considering that eternity is now, that we are the kingdom yet arriving and that resurrection power stirs within and around us all our days.

Rain-soaked earth -again winded dry, mating birds, daffodils, resplendent yellow, leading the rest of nature toward color compel us again to open our eyes to the new, the resurrected, the cycles and season of re-birth and vitality. Are we part of this unfolding, this new emergence that declares beauty, grace, possibility? Are we open to joining the sacred drama of transformation, the greening of creation shucking off winter-doldrums and barrenness? What will it take to stir us, motivate us in taking on the challenge and satisfaction of peeling back the layers of our inhumanity and indifference in order to feel deeply again, to weep and laugh, to live with less anxiety? Will we find that balance again between conformity to market place pressure and consumption mentality and an emphasis upon and enjoyment of those we love...time with family, partners, children, ourselves, others, community?

In this earth season time, we commit to probing again the nature of what we affirm in the midst of life’s ambiguities and confusion. We realize the reign of peace every day; we reclaim kingdom in all forms. As we celebrate, sustain and heal the earth, we consider the substance of a kingdom faith, as state of mind that affirms oneness. We sense the holy and re-discover our humanity; we invite a new regulation and liberation of emotions - to disarm the defenses and disguises that keep us from each other and the enjoyment of honesty.

We gather, sing, pray and think - offering ourselves to and with the reverberating hum, mystery and presence of life; we acknowledge our significance and responsibility in this global village; we acknowledge our insignificance in the face of it all - this expanding, exploding, wondrous thing called creation. In this range of arrogance and timidity, we commit again to facing each other with new desire and intention, with embrace, laughter, tears and honesty. We commit to the well and the hurting, the recovering, the dying, those weeping and discouraged this day and the week ahead - in honor of them, ourselves, this world and to our source within, between and beyond forever. Amen.

 

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