Prophetic Pictures

Dear Faith Family,  

"The Bible is an answer to the question, What does God require of man?" 

We might rephrase Rabbi Heschel's observation of the ultimate question our scriptures answer: What is required to live: truly, wholly, and free? At least, that's been the question wrestling with us over the last seven or so months since Easter. 

From the resurrected rhythm to the simple basics, and most recently, looking into the depths to flourish, we've spent what on the Church calendar is called "Ordinary Time" getting into all the everyday, foundational, and granular contexts in which life is made whole and holy, free and flourishing, or something less. Well, almost all the contexts. 

Before the "Cycle of Light" (Advent...Christmas...Epiphany) begins anew, there is one last place our scriptures would have us look to see, hear, and feel what God requires for Life: Church. The fact that this place is a place we go in and for faith, makes it all the more difficult to discern what's off in our orientation to it, which is why we need prophets to help us see clearly what is easily missed.

The prophet's role throughout our faith's history has been through words, performances, and their own lives, to call our awareness to the way, the work, and the with-ness of God in hopes that we might be attentive and live; truly, wholly, and free. Prophets like Isaiah and Van Gogh (yes, you didn't misread that!), which, as we learned Sunday, paint wonderous pictures of real Life, helping us see what we might be overlooking in our church-centered orbits. 

If you missed Sunday, I'd encourage you to listen to the sermon or read through the notes and gaze at a Starry Night. But even if you don't, at least allow the prayer below to provide you a glimpse of the prophetic picture of Life and Light from, through, for whom we live, today. 

Love you, faith family!

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St. Patrick's Prayer Adapted 

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, entreating the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors.

I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of the Rock.

I arise today, through
God's strength to pilot me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.
From every knowledge that corrupts body and soul;

For I arise today
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, entreating the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.