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

For Sunday, November 27th, 2011

Hello all, as sunlight passes through the stained-glass windows of a cathedral, God's Light passes through us. Pure Light is transformed into myriad colors, textures, and shapes by who we individually are. At our best we enhance the world with our translucence.

May we sit this Sunday for the clarity to shine forth upon the world as needed and as we each are given to do.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, November 20th, 2011

Hello all, we here on the Earth plane are meant to be the physical hands and voices of God. As co-creators our calling is to reproduce Heaven in material form. We are as stained glass windows transforming pure Light into colors and shapes as it passes through us in a constant, moment by moment, expression of "As above, so below" a physical re-creation of pure Love.

 

In order that we may fully express all the colors and shapes of ourselves we have been given enough separation to act freely, according to our individual interests and desires. This ability to explore allows us to bring forth exceptional beauty in many ways.

 

May we sit this Sunday for the beauty we may produce. May it come from Above and be expressed by us in our daily lives. May it enlighten our hearts and the hearts of those around us.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, November 13th, 2011

Hello all, keeping your heart open while staring straight into a difficulty can be a path to growth. Watching the various wars, revenges, mis-deeds, greeds, and difficulties of today's world can be heart-rending. While turning away may provide a needed respite, it leaves the long run wanting. Whether in our individual lives or on the world stage the truth holds, "The heart is the only thing which works better after being broken." 

 

If we have the courage to see ourselves fearlessly, with an unwavering honesty, we find answers within. Our breaking or broken hearts will show us truth, our truths. We each have our own. It is ours to hold and cherish as a trusted guide.

 

May we sit this Sunday for that graceful, courageous process of seeing beyond anger, recriminations, and justifications. May such Graces live within us. May such Graces live in the world.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, November 6th, 2011

Hello all, in the mid 1960's then president Lyndon Johnson faced the choice of whether to focus time and energy on growing tensions within our large cities or on a war which, we now know, could not be won. As the problems of humanity continue to cycle through history, do we learn from them? With a growing awareness of the sanctity of human life can better chioces be made?

 

Setting aside the ease of hindsight, and knowing that learning takes time, may we sit in a lovingly unbiased manner for the highest good of all those involved in the decision making process and and for those whom their decisions affect. May Divine Light shine down upon them and upon the giant mixing bowl of chaos, karma, and free will. May we continue toward alignment with the Divine.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, October 30th, 2011

Hello all, there is a growing global awareness of the sanctity of human life. From civil and women's rights in America, to Tiananmen Square in China, to the Arab Spring, to Occupy Wall Street, people are saying, "We ought not be treated this way." With violence decreasing worldwide (see Steven Pinker's "The Better Angels of Our Nature, Why Violence Has Declined") the basic spiritual foundation of 'love thy neighbor as thyself' can be seen beginning to emerge in our lifetimes.

 

As subordinate groups establish equanimity and dominate groups concede, sometimes begrudgingly, we arrive at a balance point. From there the enhancement of care and concern for one another is available and perhaps more readily attainable.

 

May we sit this Sunday for the ongoing growth and ultimate resolution of this process. It is occurring world wide yet it begins at home, within our own hearts. So, may we sit for our own personal development as well as for the ripples which may lovingly ensue.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

Hello all, in the mix and jumble of life as we live it there is much we can be concerned about. From the world, to nations, to families, to personal health, everyone is dealing with something. And yet, amidst all these difficulties, there is a place for gratitude. From the basic simplicity of being able to breath to the complex arrangements of a grandchild, gratitude is available and open to all.

Taking a moment to find your own personal gratitude can be heart opening, and bring a sense of quiet. May we do so this Sunday. For our brief time, and whenever else we wish, may we experience our gratitude, and be grateful for it.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Hello all, the end result for all humanity is clear, God doesn't throw anything away. The path to be traveled, however, is created and recreated moment to moment by free will decisions. Our part is to be willing to take whatever steps may be presented to us, willing to learn our own lessons, willing to reach out to others, willing to participate in the process of re-discovering our spiritual essence.

 

May we sit this Sunday for our own willingness, the willingness of others, and Divine willingness, may they all align in this world.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard