Care for a Courageous Conversation?

This week I had the opportunity to attend a Healing of Memories International workshop led by Father Michael Lapsley, an amazing man who knows a lot about pain and healing. It was a rich experience -- an opportunity to share in the sorrows and struggles we all face as human beings and take a step forward in my own journey. We can tend to minimize our own pain when faced with horrific tragedies like the one recently experienced by brothers and sisters from James Smith Cree Nation who attended this week's workshop. But we all learned that pain is pain, and healing is possible when we are able to face it and eventually let it go. Of course, that is the work of a lifetime.

Please don't forget to keep James Smith Cree Nation, Weldon, and their community members both in and out of hospital in your prayers as they continue on the road to healing.

Father Lapsley is here for a few more days, and will lead a special event tomorrow evening at St. Faith's Anglican Church (11725 93 Street) from 6-9 pm here in Edmonton. Edmonton and area friends truly interested in healing, truth, and reconciliation, please consider coming. Father Michael's work in South Africa and around the world can help us here on Turtle Island... recent events show us how much healing is needed in our world and in the lives of all who live in this land.

All are welcome.

Sunday Reflection: A special prayer in the month of creation

I know it's only Saturday, but instead of a Sunday reflection, I'll just post an advance invitation to join our ecumenical online Prayer for Creation that is happening at 7 pm MST on Sunday September 12th (tomorrow). We'll pray with scripture, silence, and the songs of Taize. 

I was really hoping we'd be able to pray together in person, but with covid numbers as high as they are in Alberta, it's probably better to refrain from gathering to protect those who are unvaccinated, not to mention those who are. I also like including those who aren't in the Edmonton area via livestream.

I'm grateful that Pope Francis wrote his letter to the whole world, Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home, and I'm still wishing that it would receive more attention and action, especially in light of the many climate disasters our world faces -- wildfires, hurricanes, floods and so many other coming concerns that we can't foresee. Our air is clear of smoke in Edmonton right now, but that doesn't mean we can't pray for creation and act to reduce our impact on its climate. I've written at length on the Pope's Encyclical in these moodlings, and am doing all that I can with regard to living simply, though there's always room for improvement!

But for now, let's pray together. All are welcome, and if you miss the prayer, it will remain online for the rest of the month of Creation, which ends on the Feast day of St. Francis, October 4th... It's a very meditative and peaceful prayer that could be good to wind down with after a busy day...

https://www.facebook.com/events/1247853455642809

Sunday Reflection: Asking for the right things

Today's reflection is brought to you by James 3:16 - 4:3.

O God,
for what shall we ask?

Not for the things that cause envy,
that place us higher than others,
not for things that create disorder,
or lead to wickedness of any kind.

No,
we should ask for wisdom from you,
your wisdom in us --
peace and gentleness,
surrender and mercy,
the deepest goodness that invites and includes others.

If we sow peace,
we harvest goodness and peace.

But sometimes,
our desires get the best of us.

It's too easy
to forget all the good we already have
and to want glamour or fame,
brilliance or beauty,
or a wealth of things
that cannot satisfy.

Remind us,
in those moments,
that we should ask for wisdom from you.

Your wisdom in us --
peace and gentleness,
surrender and mercy,
the deepest goodness that invites and includes others.

Help us to ask just for the right things.

+Amen.