Tuesday, January 21, 2014

"The great spiritual battle begins- and never ends- with the reclaiming of our chosenness..."


"...Long before any human being saw us,
we are seen by God's loving eyes.

Long before anyone heard us cry or laugh,
we are heard by our God who is all ears for us.

Long before any person spoke to us in this world,
we are spoken to by the voice of eternal love.

Our preciousness, uniqueness, and individuality
are not given to us by those who meet us in clock-time-
our brief chronological existence-

but by the One who has chosen us
with an everlasting love,
a love that existed from all eternity
and will last through all eternity."

-Henri Nouwen,

This short and simple book rocked my spiritual life when I read it for the first time at 19,
and it is just what my heart needs right now.

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Human Needs Global Resources Covenant, 2009

As fellow travelers on this journey, we commit to this covenant before God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear these our prayers:

When confronted with scarcity, need, and inadequacy, may we be nourished by the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Abundance overflows from Your table, sustaining all who come in faith. Father, help us.

When monotony blurs our vision and dulls our senses, may we encounter others as Christ did, through intentional presence in daily life, submitting as clay to be formed into vessels filled with the Spirit. Christ, guide us.

When wounded by the fractured condition of Your people, may we be united by Your Lordship in faith, hope, and love; seeing, as through the facets of a diamond, the beautiful spectrum of Your light reflected onto Your holy Church joined in praise. Spirit, empower us.

When all Creation groans, afflicted by injustice and driven to despair, may the promise of redemption root us in the hope of Your Kingdom: "Behold, I am making all things new!"

Holy Trinity, send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart.

Amen.