Dear Friends,
This week we rise with Lazarus. Are you risen? God did not mean that we should rise from the dead only after we are buried. Rather God meant
that we live risen, with joy, with Spirit-filled immediate connection to others wherever they are--Much like the Buddhist quest to be awakened/enlightened: to live awake! Jan Richardson has a blessing for us this day:
Lazarus Blessing
The secret
of this blessing
is that it is written
on the back
of what binds you.
To read
this blessing,
you must take hold
of the end
of what
confines you,
must begin to tug
at the edge
of what wraps
you round.
It may take long
and long
for its length
to fall away,
for the words
of this blessing
to unwind
in folds
about your feet.
By then
you will no longer
need them.
By then this blessing
will have pressed itself
into your waking flesh,
will have passed
into your bones,
will have traveled
every vein
until it comes to rest
inside the chambers
of your heart
that beats to
the rhythm
of benediction
and the cadence
of release.
“©Jan Richardson. janrichardson.com
Each of us likely finds our self, at one time or another, wrapped in bindings wound about us either by our own self-understanding, or inflicted upon us by others who wish to “hold” us in place. At The Spirit of Life, we work together in prayer and companionship to loosen the attitudes and brokenness which can hold us bound. We believe that God’s desire for us is that we be “Whole” and thus “Holy”… full of life , unfettered by life-destroying prejudices and free to move openly as the Spirit calls us.
Our belief in the sacredness of all created beings and loving relationships compels us to respond with care and compassion to all who are marginalized in our church and world. We invite you to come and to pray with us as we “do our own work” in growing into a deeper awareness of our own gifts and ‘growing edges’ and together create a community that invites diversity and honors the uniqueness of each individual and every journey. We are confident that you will feel welcome in the “home” of The Spirit of Life.
As we journey through these final weeks of Lent, we pray that you may do so “unfettered” by obstacles that might hinder the flow of Grace in your heart and life,
Lenten Blessings of peace and release from whatever might hold you bound,
Jean & Ron