Where do we go from here?

After all the hope and joy of Advent and Christmas, the week after Christmas can be rather a let-down. If follow the lectionary readings throughout the week, you will discover that it is full of cautionary readings. We have St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr and Herod’s slaughter of the Holy Innocents to remind us that the world is not full of the sweetness and light that we prefer to associate with Christmas. It is also a reminder that we are called to be the light in the world as a reflection of Jesus’ light.  

If you took time to create a Rule of Life to live the Way of Love, or if you found ways to incorporate the 7 disciplines into your existing Rule of Life, pause this week to think about how you will carry that forward into the New Year. Studying the image of creation from the Saint John’s Bible may be a way to find some quiet time to consider this idea.

You will find some ideas and suggestions on the Planner page for this week. Every January 1 the secular New Year arrives. Advent is the liturgical new year, so we have already started our New Year planning by participating in the Way of Love Advent curriculum*.

The Planner page suggests that you do an Epiphany (or New Year's) blessing of your house with chalk. This is an ancient custom that is not as well known in America as in Europe. The numbers in the year (2019) frame 3 letters. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar; and they represent the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The final inscription, in chalk over the door, is: 20 + C + M + B+ 19. The “+” signs represent the cross and 2019 is the year.

One service is below:

Leader: Peace be to this house, and to all who enter here.
People: Amen.

One or more of the following prayers may be said:
May all who come to our home this year rejoice to find Christ living among us; and may we seek and serve, in everyone we meet, that same Jesus who is your incarnate Word, now and forever. Amen.

God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only-begotten One to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our concern for others may reflect your love. We ask this through Christ our Savior. Amen.

Loving God, bless this household. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentleness, and abiding in your will. We ask this through Christ our Savior. Amen.

As participants take turns making the inscription, the leader says:
The three Wise Men, [C] Caspar, [M] Melchior, [B] and Balthasar followed the star to Bethlehem and the child Jesus [20] two thousand, [19] and nineteen years ago. [+ +] May Christ bless our home [+ +], and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.

All say the Lord’s Prayer (you can use the traditional version; or consider a slightly different version from Leslie Leland Fields).

Further explanation, and other prayers, for this service can be found online.

How can you continue to live the Way of Love in 2019? On Advent 4, I posted a blank planner page as a guide you in merging your current rule of life (prayer, exercise, study, etc.) into the Way of Love Rule of Life. You don't have to totally recreate your Life. Remember, a Rule of Life is simply a way to be more intentional and focused in your loving relationship with God, yourself, and others. 

However you choose to welcome the New Year and continue the Way of Love, I pray that God will bless you and yours. 

During the season of Epiphany, we'll consider the 7 individual practices of the Way of Love in more detail. 

*Way of Love Advent Curriculum; By Jenifer Gamber and Becky Zartman; Copyright © 2018 by The Episcopal Church; 

The Episcopal Church/ 815 2nd Ave/New York, NY 10017

Advent IV: Birth of Jesus: Journeying in the World

Welcome to the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Often this Sunday gets overshadowed by the last-minute preparations around home and church for the grand Christmas Eve celebrations. I invite you to return to the reading, curriculum and calendar* this week after all the presents are unwrapped.

The Planner page suggests pausing throughout the week to consider blessings, and needs. We are also invited to Turn using the words of the Graham Kendrick song, Soften My Heart (1988):

Soften my heart, Lord
Soften my heart
From all indifference
Set me apart
To feel Your compassion
To weep with Your tears
Come soften my heart, O Lord
Soften my heart

Perhaps during your Christmas celebrations you will find an answer to the curriculum’s question “Where have you seen love birthed into the world this week?” Perhaps it was during a Christmas service you attended, while opening presents with family, meditating on a creche scene (like the one in the image from 1989), or while reading or listening to the familiar words from Luke 2:

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.  When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:1-20)

The Way of Love curriculum* reminds us that “the Way of Love cannot be contained. The Way of love bursts out into the world, crossing boundaries and offering blessings to many. It demands to be told.”

Participants are asked to consider which part of the story ‘reflects where you are today’ and think about some questions like:

• “Where, with whom, and how are you called to share about the good news of Jesus’ life and love?
• What amazes you about God? About God’s love?”

The curriculum* encourages each person to look at their Rule of Life, or to create one with “one spiritual practice in each facet of the Way of Love that they will commit to practice weekly through the seasons of Christmas and Epiphany.”

Have you created a Rule of Life that includes living a Way of Love? Here is a blank planner page to guide you in merging your current rule of life (prayer, exercise, study, etc.) into the Way of Love Rule of Life. Maybe your time at the gym is a time to Go and share God's love. Perhaps you already have a Prayer circle to continue with. Probably you have a form of study to help you Learn. You don't have to totally recreate your Life. A Rule of Life is simply a way to be more intentional and focused in your loving relationship with God, yourself, and others. 

Maybe this prayer from the curriculum* will help you live your commitments.

God who makes the impossible possible, quicken our hearts to follow the shepherds who went with haste to see Jesus and told the world what they had heard and seen. Enliven our imagination to the many ways to walk the Way of Love with Jesus. Strengthen our resolve to remain on the journey with Jesus as individuals, with family and friends, and in community to proclaim your word in the world; through Jesus Christ, your Son, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, one God, whose way is love. Amen.

*Way of Love Advent Curriculum; By Jenifer Gamber and Becky Zartman; Copyright © 2018 by The Episcopal Church;

The Episcopal Church/ 815 2nd Ave/New York, NY 10017

Advent III: The Birth of John the Baptist: Journeying with Community

We are already at the third week of Advent. On the third Sunday many churches will have pink flowers on the altar to recognize Gaudete Sunday. This was originally to offer a bit of lightness into the mildly penitential tone of Advent. Often the words of Philippians 4:4-6 are sung. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be

Last week I suggested that “Telling one another when blessings happen deepens the joy for both parties. Let's tell our stories.” Our joy will be greater when shared. This is the time of year when we do a lot of celebrating with friends and with family. Sometimes it can be pretty superficial, but there are also times when you have lunch with a dear friend or two, or with someone in your family and you can share you deepest joys and sorrows.

That is what happens with Elizabeth. It is always more fun to celebrate in community. In following the Way of Love curriculum and Advent calendar*, we come to the community celebration of the birth of John to Elizabeth and Zechariah. Remember, this child would grow up to become John the Baptist, the forerunner of Messiah. For now, though, this is a joyful party rejoicing in the birth of a son to an elderly couple. The Gospel of Luke says, “Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.”

The art by Luca Giordano from the 1680s entitled Birth of St John the Baptist captures the joy of the moment when all the friends and family gather together to rejoice at the new baby.  

Inviting the community can be a mixed blessing. Friends and family think they have to have input into all the decisions. “On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him…The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel” (Luke 1:57-80)

In keeping with the theme of ‘rejoice’ this week, the story of John’s birth and circumcision is filled with joy. As soon as he can talk again, “[Zechariah] began to speak, praising God.” His entire prophecy for his son, is a joy-filled hymn of praise in a way that touches on each of the 7 Way of Love disciplines. Take some time this week to pause with each phrase and pray about what it means to you, your Advent journey, and all those on the Way of Love.

Pray: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.

Worship: He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David

Learn: as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,

Go: to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days

Turn: And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.

Bless:  By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death

Rest: to guide our feet into the way of peace.

On the Planner page, you will find some hints for thinking about Community as you go through the week.

The Way of Love curriculum* asks participants to consider all seven of the Way of Love practices (Worship, Go, Learn, Pray, Bless, Turn, Rest) with some thought-provoking questions that you may want to think about.

• Which of the practices brought you the most joy…or blessing? Which practice has been life-giving and where did you cross borders?

• How does your community celebrate joy together? How does your community support others in their joy?

• Who in your faith community has a prophetic voice? (perhaps it is you)

• When have you experienced God’s love for you here? When have you felt yourself loving God in the context of this community?

This week you may want to use this prayer from the curriculum:

Merciful God of peace, your word, spoken by the prophets, restores your people’s life and hope: Fill our hearts with the joy of your saving grace, that we may hold fast to your great goodness and proclaim your justice in all the world. Amen [Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, alt., proposed by the Consultation on Common Texts (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002), p. 33].

*Way of Love Advent Curriculum; By Jenifer Gamber and Becky Zartman; Copyright © 2018 by The Episcopal Church;

The Episcopal Church/ 815 2nd Ave/New York, NY 10017

Advent II: Mary and Elizabeth: Journeying with Family and Friends

During Advent this year, we are following along with the Episcopal Church Way of Love Advent Calendar and curriculum*. Last week we looked at how saying ‘yes’ to God is countercultural. Really saying ‘yes’ and living a Way of Love can change us and our world.

This week, we continue by considering the story of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56). We all need companions on the journey, no matter where we are going. The Way of Love curriculum* notes that “Mary set out in haste [to visit Elizabeth]…The life - the Word - that began to grow within her could not be contained. She just had to share her good news with her cousin Elizabeth and set out to the hill country of Judea, a long journey. By going, Mary found out that Elizabeth, too, was on a journey of love.”

She had to share her news and find out if, indeed, Elizabeth also had news to share. When we are faced with something new, we want to share it with someone. We text our friends or call them up. We post on Facebook or Instagram when we discover a new restaurant or recipe. Do we do the same thing when we read an inspiring devotion or learn a new prayer?

Elizabeth exalts, "blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." We all know the lovely prayer that Mary offers in response. It is called the Magnificat and many choral settings have been done using her words of celebration and prophecy. "My soul magnifies the Lord," she praises. Her response to the new journey she is on is to join in prayer and praise with Elizabeth. "The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name," she continues.

This image from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Seattle is symbolic of the link between Mary and Elizabeth; and between any friends who share their lives. This can be sharing joys, but also sharing sorrows. We should share both with our friends so they can walk with us.

Is my first response to good news a prayer? Not always, I must admit. Even though I might share the news with someone, I may not remember to thank God as the originator of all good things. I may not even really pause to recognize the blessings.   

The curriculum asks “What good news do you have to share with one another?... How have you experienced your faith or trust in God as a blessing?” 

How often do you share good things with friends to encourage them? Telling one another when blessings happen deepens the joy for both parties. Let's tell our stories. One of the activities in the curriculum* and planner page is to pray for 10 minutes with someone. Another is to offer to pray for someone. Both are ways to share joys and sorrows.

This week, if something good happens consider pausing to say a prayer before moving on. Remember, prayer isn’t fancy words, it is simply a heartfelt meeting with God. Think about what you have to say ‘thank you’ for this week. Share that with a friend and with God. When we pray together, we offer Blessing to each other. When we pray for someone, we are giving them the gift of our heart. In all prayer, we are meeting God and joining in creating a Way of Love.

 Again, we close with the prayer from the curriculum* suggested for use this week: “O God of Elizabeth and Mary, you visited your servants with news of the world’s redemption in the coming of the Savior: Make our hearts leap with joy, and fill our mouths with songs of praise, that we may announce glad tidings of peace and welcome the Christ in our midst. Amen.”

*Way of Love Advent Curriculum; By Jenifer Gamber and Becky Zartman; Copyright © 2018 by The Episcopal Church;

The Episcopal Church/ 815 2nd Ave/New York, NY 10017

Advent I: The Annunciation-saying Yes to the Way of Lovve

Last week we started our Advent Journey on the Way of Love with an exploration of what a Rule of Life is and how each individual Rule of Life might assist us in our Journey through Advent. Today is the First Sunday of Advent. This week we will look at how saying ‘yes’ to God and to the journey might change and enrich us.

We are using ideas in the Way of Love curriculum and Advent calendar from the Episcopal Church*. I’ve taken some of those suggestions and incorporated them into the Planner page for this week, along with some other ideas. The planner gives you tips for using the study in an individual way, and the Way of Love curriculum can be used in a group setting.

The Way of Love curriculum encourages us to be specific about their Rule of Life actions in each of the 7 disciplines in the Way of Love. Perhaps Centering Prayer is your Prayer practice and reading a devotional or selected scripture daily is what you do to Learn. Are Sunday church services your Worship? What do you do for the Bless, Turn, Go, and Rest portions? How do each of these practices help you say ‘yes’?

This week’s scripture is the Annunciation story in Luke 1:26-38 (depicted here in Ecce Ancilla Domini! by Dante Gabriel Rosetti, 1849-50). Mary’s ‘yes’ to God’s call on her life is, as the Way of Love curriculum notes, “a model for our own yes to the Way of Love…one of the most countercultural things we can do today…it may be just as frightening as Mary’s. We may not know the implications of saying yes…We can never be fully prepared for the magnificent journey with Jesus…we are called to say ‘yes’ to this impossibility made possible.”

It is true. If we really LIVE a Way of Love that says ‘yes’ to God, we are being countercultural. Think about all the messages we are bombarded with. Very few of them have anything to do with love. The daily news is full of scary and bad things happening. Social media is crammed with negativity (interspersed with cat videos). There is fear and anger and hatred, seemingly, everywhere. To live as members of the Body of Christ and embody the Way of Love Jesus taught is not an easy response to those people or things that make us afraid or angry.

We must be very intentional about seeking out positive things to focus on. We need tools that will help us react in a loving way rather than in a self-protective, angry, or negative way. The Way of Love disciplines are one way to re-program our minds to look to God first and foremost as we incorporate them into our individual Rule of Life.

During this Advent journey along the Way of Love, we may just discover that by deepening our life in Prayer and Rest, Learning and Worship; and that living by Turning (or re-Turning) and Going out to Bless we can indeed be a countercultural influence in the world.

As the saying goes, “A day hemmed in with prayer won’t unravel”. That’s true. When we keep our hearts fixed on looking for God and saying ‘yes’ to the little and big ways God is calling us to live Love, we will be changed. Just maybe we’ll change the world around us, too. All it takes is saying ‘yes’ to God’s call! That sounds deceptively simple, doesn’t it?

Think about your own life now and leading up to this moment. When have you heard God asking you to say ‘yes’? Where has that taken you? For me, one of the times I heard God asking me to step out was when I sat down to write my first book. And then to publish it. I would never have guessed that the simple act of putting words on paper would change me from an introvert who would prefer not to speak to groups, to someone who leads retreats and chairs committees.

Sometimes it’s not completely clear what God is asking, or where it will lead. There is a recent contemporary Christian song by Hillary Scott. In her song Thy Will, Scott admits, “I’m so confused/ I know I heard You loud and clear/ So, I followed through/ Somehow I ended up here/ I don’t wanna think/ I may never understand/ That my broken heart is a part of Your plan.”

This week’s planner asks us to consider our 'yes' to God by asking what part of Worship fills your heart and why. The planner invites us to really listen to someone else’s point of view, and to do a random act of kindness. We are also called to consider where we might have fallen short and invites us into Rest by doing something that feeds the soul. Each of these is a way to say ‘yes’ to God’s call and invitation to live a Way of Love. We don’t know where that will take us, and being out of control is usually scary.  

As Hillary Scott sings, “Sometimes I gotta stop/ Remember that You’re God/ And I am not…Thy will be done.” Often the best we can do when we are faced with God’s answer to our ‘yes’ is to admit we aren’t God, or in control, and just pray ‘Thy will be done’. We have to trust, with Scott, “I know You hear me, Lord/ Your plans are for me/ Goodness You have in store.”

Whenever we say ‘yes’ to God, we’ll go places we didn’t ever expect. As things change around us, we are can be assured that God is in control, no matter what. As a way of submitting to God, you may want to add this closing prayer from the Way of Love curriculum to your Way of Love prayers this week.

Holy One, who makes the impossible possible, open our ears to hear you calling us to birth new life into the world. Grant us, through the power of the Spirit, the courage of Mary to respond with “yes” so that your Word may dwell in our hearts; through your son Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.*

*Way of Love Advent Curriculum; By Jenifer Gamber and Becky Zartman; Copyright © 2018 by The Episcopal Church;

The Episcopal Church/ 815 2nd Ave/New York, NY 10017