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| Feeding each other, belly and soul |
| Fruits of the earth, abundant creation |
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| Teaching each other; wisdom comes from faith and knowledge |
Christ offers abundant Life
It is a gospel of abundance. That is what I am struck by again and again, as I have begun my journey with you in this past month. Do you see it too? It’s everywhere---people whose hearts and lives are committed to a way of life grounded in generosity and service, in compassion and solidarity. It is breathtaking. And at the deepest of levels it is breath giving. It is the breath and the movement of the Spirit.
It is sometimes easy to forget this
abundance of the gospel, along with its truth of the multiplication of the two
fishes and the five loaves, and for our spirits to get wrapped up in the tangle
of what we sense to be in short supply, or to be lacking.
This morning, I was particularly
struck by one of the prayers in my devotions, for it touched on this very
dynamic:
I have tasted the fruit of the
earth, O God.
I have seen autumn trees hang
heavily with heaven’s gifts.
I have known people pregnant with
your spirit of generosity.
Let these be guides to me this
day.
And may Mary who knew her womb
filled with your goodness
teach me the wisdom that is born
amidst pain.
May I know that deeper than any
fallowness in me
is the seed planted in the womb
of my soul.
May I know that greater than any
barrenness in the world
is the harvest to be justly
shared.
-- J. Philip Newell, Celtic
Benediction: Morning and Night Prayer
It’s a powerful prayer,
transformative really, for it is the miracle of the fishes and the loaves, and
the depth of the paschal mystery, all brought together. It is the gospel of abundance. It is the gospel of life and possibility and
love. It is the deepest truth of the
presence of God with us.
With much love and many
prayers. You are in my heart.
Mother
Julia
