Matthew 18:21-35 To forgive you will pass through the sea. You will leave much behind: what is owed, obligations, the heavy chains of your master anger. Just leave them. You will be tempted to turn back and fight but that is the slavery you are escaping, the lie of superior and inferior, the cruel economy […]
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Eclipse — Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA
Womb of light from whom we shine, but whom we cannot see but by looking away, only the unseen hides you, eye of darkness, ring of light, mystery of day’s bright night. We too are you, eclipsed. Let our horror of losing you remain. What conceals you reveals you, but only the merest edges of […]
Read full textGod does not…, Matthew 10.29 — Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without God. —Matthew 10.29 God does not go around pulling birds out of the air. God is not sitting at a control panel. God does not “plan” your victory or defeat, cancer, your accident, the moment of […]
Read full textShowers — Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA
The rain stopped long ago; skies are blue. But on the morning path the breeze shakes down showers the trees have been holding onto. I will gladly drown in this blessing. Awakening this morning in bed, as my conscious mind opened up it filled with what day this is, who I am, what I intend […]
Read full textSent to Heal, Matthew 10.1 — Steve Garnaas-Holmes
We are not given a mandate to judge or an obligation to convert. We are not required to argue religion. We are given power to heal. We need not muster up the strength. We are given authority. Christ is in us to heal. May I be a healer today; may I set free those who […]
Read full textLord’s Prayer version — Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA
Our Mother, our Father, Source of our being, whose presence is heaven, all Creation sings of you, “Holy!” May your Realm unfold among us, your desire be fulfilled, this world blossoming out of your delight. Give us the breath of life, one breath at a time. Accept our brokenness; give us acceptance of others who […]
Read full textGratitude, the yoga of the gods — Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA
Gratitude, the yoga of the gods, may sometimes take a little practice. Each day, select one thing to be grateful for: a cup of water, a wisp of green, sun on stone, a friend’s memory, gravity, so we do not float away…. Hold your gratitude like a seashell in your hand, and rehearse it. Come […]
Read full textJohn 20.21-23, Breathe deeply and go — Steve Garnaas-Holmes, UK
Jesus said, “Peace be with you. As God has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” —John […]
Read full textChild of God — Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA
I am a child of God, God’s beloved, in whom God is pleased. I dwell in the arms of God. You are a child of God, God’s beloved, in whom God is pleased. You dwell in the arms of God. We all are children of God, God’s beloved, in whom God is pleased. We all dwell in […]
Read full textWorn Spot – Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA
There’s a dip in the stone step in the threshold of the old cathedral, worn where thousands of pilgrims have stepped as they entered the darkness to pray. Even in the old country church the railing is rubbed bare where the faithful have grasped, have leaned, have hoped. There is a worn spot at […]
Read full textGenesis 32:22-32, Angel wrestling, Proper 13A — Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA
Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak… Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day is breaking.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.’ —Genesis 32.24, 26 The angels you’ll have to wrestle with most often are no strangers: they’re your anger, fear, […]
Read full textPrayer of Examen for Independence Day–Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA
Written for the national holiday, Independence Day, in the United States of America Trust that you are not alone as we pray. We call to mind all that is good in our nation, all that is in harmony with your grace. We give you thanks for the gifts you give us, celebrate the work of […]
Read full textC – Prayers for Tuesday
Refreshing words, by Lawrence Moore, UK Preparation: a bowl of water (to represent baptism) and towel Affirmation I go into today with the gift of the God who calls me, the Christ who walks beside me, and the Spirit who empowers me. I refresh my body with the water of all life. (Wash hands, face […]
Read full textPentecost — Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA
You breathe in. You breathe out. You breathe fire, the making of stars, the winds of creation. You breathe a Word that goes out and lays hands on people to heal and bless. You breathe God in. and God out. You speak grace in tongues you can’t know. Look at us, walking around, glowing embers. […]
Read full textGrowing peace — Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA
Let me stand before enemies with love prepared to break soil, to prune branches to do the hard work of growing peace For I will need stout tools to work this rough land well, to bring fruits of justice out of rocky earth, to tend the muscular trees of mercy. Steve Garnaas-Holmes serves in ministry […]
Read full textRachel weeps — Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA
The Empire Feeds Cold and dark clamp down on us. The Empire feeds itself, human bodies as fuel, boots tracking blood. Rachel weeping for her children, we’ve heard it before. The person with the megaphone doesn’t care. The emperor has spoken. Only the most fragile voice cries out for hope. The gentle bear it, weeping […]
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