For Sunday, January 1st, 2011

Hello all, as we enter this new year, this new cycle of time with everything from presidential elections to the Mayan calender within it, there is much which is unknown. In our human condition we typically value knowing and certainty over wonder and amazement. Yet wonder and amazement are hallmarks of the openness which brings growth.

 

While there is openness in naivety, there is also openness in great wisdom and its companion trust in spiritual truths.

 

This Sunday, at the dawning of a new year and a new cycle of all our lives, may we sit for the openness to move forward with wonder, for growth with brings amazement, and for spiritual guidance whether in turbulence or contentment.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

I messed up...

With apologies to all - and especially to the One whose birthday I put in the wrong month, the actual date is June 16th. Shepherds are up all night keeping watch over their flocks during lambing season which is in the May / June time frame.

 

My human frailty strikes again...

 

Richard

For Sunday, December 25th, 2011

Hello all, creation requires three - God, the source of all; Christ, the active principal; and Spirituality, the supporting mechanism. In this season many celebrate the physical incarnation of the active principal, the Christ Light in human form.

 

According to the story a young teen aged orphan named Sarah, used by the innkeeper for the dirtiest of jobs, knew to set aside provisions for an upcoming event. When three travelers arrived at the inn, Mary, a donkey, and a rather nervous father-to-be, Sarah took them to a pre-arranged secluded spot with the provisions.

 

A birth is a very spiritual event, a mother is spiritually enhanced during her pregnancy that she may bring forth life and the entry of a new soul. How much more pure must the birth of the Christ Light be? Over the years the resulting phenomena has been loosely translated to merely describe a bright star in the sky.

 

Too much energy can burn one who is not spiritually prepared. Sarah, least of the least, was midwife to the Christ child. She never questioned why she was more gifted than those around her. She fulfilled her major spiritual responsibility at a very young age and went on to live her life.

 

May we sit this Sunday for the humility to do what is asked of us; for appreciation; for thanks that such a birth ever occurred...

 

And may we give thanks once more, perhaps without the commercial trimmings, during lambing season when shepherds diligently watch their flocks, on July 16th.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, December 18th, 2011

Hello all, looking around in the political and corporate arenas one can see the desire for control at work. Take-overs, power-plays, coups large and small, all are considered to be simply politics or business as usual. Yet still, we know that "Do unto others as ye would have them do unto thee" is not only a hint toward karmic law but also fosters spiritual development while producing the greatest results for the greatest number in this lifetime.

 

In this season of thankfulness and of giving, of political one-up-man-ship and corporate intertwining, let us sit for 'doing unto others as we would have them do unto us'. May its beauty become a living, intimate knowledge within our hearts and may it shine outward into the world.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, December 11th, 2011

Hello all, here in the northeast there is a lot of controversy about the process of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to release natural gas from the earth. The possible long term health and environmental issues are enormous. And the amount of short term money to be made easily blinds those in leadership positions.

 

May we sit this Sunday to ask that God's Light shine down upon all those involved in this situation. May wisdom and compassion be known in all hearts. May we hold Mother Earth warmly within our hearts.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, December 4th, 2011

Hello all, a Tibetan Lama was once told that science will soon be able to eliminate all dis-ease and dis-comfort in the world. His reply was, "And what would be the point?"

 

Through grace and humility, our challenges teach us. In turn we reach out to others and connections grow. The care, concern, and compassion which comes to us and spreads out from us is a spiritual glue holding the world intact.

 

May we sit this Sunday for that 'spiritual glue' to flow through and from us, warmly assisting in our progress and that of human kind.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard