Journey together

I started another Month of Guided Prayer retreat in everyday life this week.  What a gift!  What a privilege to companion others. 

This is my 36^th retreat serving as coordinator of this ministry, and I have come to know that each retreat is different, and each is good.  As I anticipated starting this one, it felt like going on a pilgrimage – a deep desire to encounter the holy, expecting and welcoming the surprises that God may offer. 

And so here I am, not in some far away place that is holy, but instead it is with these people near my home many of whom I have never met, and we journey together for awhile on holy ground.

This is a poem that came to me while on the last retreat I led, which started the first week of Advent.

 

Advent

Hosanna angels have arrived for another visit.

We sit in the holy of holies.

Spirits surround with comforting presence,

loving, being,

goodness permeates all.

Doesn’t matter that they are invisible

or that you may not feel them.

They are here.

They are healing our wounds,

anointing and praying,

and healing our wounds,

with God,

in God,

from God,

to God.

And the Hosanna songs that began

two thousand years ago continue.

Sing along if you like.

Rejoice.

Even in the cold, poverty and isolation,

rejoice,

for God is with us.