The Open Cup

This lent we at Squamish United are journeying together using the image of "The Cup of Blessing" I have taken several reflection pieces from Joyce Rupp's book "The Cup of Our Life." This is a lenten poem from that book.

Generous God

so many times I've come

with my empty cup

a beggar of the heart

devoid of nourishment

depleted of energy

and you have filled

Generous God

so many times I've come

afraid of unknowns

full of negatives and no's

fighting the challenges

closed and resistant to growth

and you have opened

Generous God

so many times I've come

a stranger to my spirit

crammed with cultural noise

caught in endless clutter

crowding my inner space

and you have emptied

Generous God

I come to you again

holding out my waiting cup

begin that it first be emptied

of all that blocks the way

then asking for its filling

with love that tastes like you.

-Joyce Rupp

On Pilgrimage

How often have we, you and I, mistaken our present place to be our true home? Forgetting we are on a pilgrimage.

On Pilgrimage

May the smell of thyme and lavender accompany us on our journey
To a province that does not know how lucky it is
For it was, among all the hidden corners of the earth,
The only one chosen and visited.

We tended toward the Place but no signs led there.
Till it revealed itself in a pastoral valley
Between mountains that look older than memory,
By a narrow river humming at the grotto.

May the taste of wine and roast meat stay with us
As it did when we used to feast in the clearings,
Searching, not finding, gathering rumors,
Always comforted by the brightness of the day.

May the gentle mountains and the bells of the flocks
Remind us of everything we have lost,
For we have seen on our way and fallen in love
With the world that will pass in a twinkling.

~ Czeslaw Milosz

Slow Down and Catch Up

The other day I was walking fast up a steep incline to get to a meeting.  I was a bit behind, the parking was not close, and I knew I was late!  As I walked my breathing grew loud and I thought how my lungs and heart were working to keep me going - and my legs were slowing down to let me catch up. 

I was forced to slow down to catch up.  Does that make sense?  Don’t we have to speed up to catch up?   We speak about slowing down to let others catch up with us.  But as I grow older (as I grow more out of shape) I realize I have to slow down some parts of myself to let other parts catch up. 

Ancient wisdom tells us “Be still and know that I Am God.”  And my spirit continues this wisdom with... “I Am as near to you as the breath that renews you.”   I suspect my spirit may always know this, but my head gets so busy feeling responsible! 

No matter what is on your plate today - what tasks are before you - stop now for long enough to breathe in deeply and be filled.  Now breathe again - and hold that breath - feel it moving through your body - spreading out even to your fingers and toes.  Breathe out and in again.  Hold your breath - cradle it and let it cradle you.  Breathe out again.  Of course you will continue this simple action through all that fills your day.  In the midst of your busy-ness, be assured that I Am is with you, inviting you to slow down and catch up. 

Blessings,

Sharon Copeman

Loving Kindness Prayer

Here is a prayer for your Lenten practice:

Sit quietly.

See a circle of Divine Light.

In your mind’s eye, picture someone that you would like to pray for.

Invite them into the circle of light, calling them by name.

Imagine the light, shining down and washing over and through the person,

Revealing the light within her/his own heart.

Then offer a blessing for them:

May you be at peace

May your heart remain open

May you awaken to the light of your own true nature,

May you be healed,

May you be a source of healing for all beings.

Amen

Posted by Lori Megley-Best