Week one of Ordinary Time

by Sayde Anderson

It is week one of Ordinary time. Throughout the season, we will share a sabbath meditation to collectively rest and pray, grow and learn, lament and hope, while contemplating the mystery of grace that Christ offers us each day. 

Inspired by the poet author Maya Angelou, here is an excerpt from, Wouldn’t Take Nothing From My Journey Now. 

 “Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us. We need hours of aimless wandering or spates of time sitting on park benches, observing the mysterious world of ants and the canopy of treetops.

If we step away for a time, we are not, as many may think and some will accuse, being irresponsible, but rather we are preparing ourselves to more ably perform our duties and discharge our obligations.

When I return home, I am always surprised to find some questions I sought to evade had been answered and some entanglements I had hoped to flee had become unraveled in my absence.

A day away acts as a spring tonic. It can dispel rancor, transform indecision, and renew the spirit.”

 - Maya Angelou

Collect:

Oh Lord, be our dwelling place. Come near to us as the day begins to rise. We confess that we don’t often allow ourselves to slow down and listen to the morning songs of the birds. Give us grace to begin again, revealing new rhythms of sabbath rest. Help our weary souls to trust you are making all things new amidst the chaos of the world. Give us hope, that you are a compassionate and gracious God, abounding in love, faithful till the end. Amen.