God’s Breath Sweeping Over Water and Earth
God of Glory,
All of creation shines with your presence and dazzling love.
We praise you for your loving energy,
a holy breath sweeping over water and earth,
Forming and renewing mountains, glaciers, and seas.
In your wisdom, you breathe this same powerful breath into all your children,
woman and man.
You are source of glory in our humanity and holiness in our brokenness.
We give thanks to you for the mountain-top experiences of our lives,
Life-changing experiences when we could not help but feel, see, and rejoice in your presence.
We give thanks for your loving care in those times when we have lived in life’s valleys,
for those who have cared for us during times of grief,
for moments of hope and endurance during times of despair.
And in the mundane grind of our daily lives, we give thanks for your quiet presence,
for we know that your breath is always flowing through us,
A source of peace when we are anxious,
a source of holy dignity for our ordinary days,
a source of guidance along life’s path.
Transforming God,
By the power of your Spirit, your holy breath,
Enflame our hearts with love for all your people.
Lead us down the mountains of our own lives into the valleys of our world,
that our journeys might give life to the journeys of others,
that our concern might be transformed into justice for those who are oppressed,
that your Spirit might renew the face of the earth.
Justin Huyck
Second Sunday of Lent (February 24)
Readings: Roman Catholic (USCCB)
On the second Sunday of Lent, the Roman Catholic lectionary features the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. For those churches that used the Revised Common Lectionary, “Transfiguration Sunday” is typically celebrated the last Sunday before Lent.
PHOTO: 
8#X (flickr)
Plugging In
This reflection is a companion to the previous post. An earlier version of it originally appeared in the Our Lady of the Brook parish bulletin (Northbrook, IL).
A few winters ago, an interesting post-Christmas commercial appeared on my non-HD TV. In this commercial, a dejected man stands looking at his suburban home, adorned with the brightest Christmas lights imaginable, complete with music and moving Christmas characters. In an act of sad resignation, the man unplugs his loud display: Christmas is over. But then, his neighbor delivers a message of joy: there are still Christmas deals to be had at the stores! (A particular electronics store of course!) Christmas goes on! And, with new purpose, the man plugs everything back in.
Naturally, this commercial reminded me that I’d really like a high-definition television. Quickly, I admitted to myself that, even on sale, an HDTV wouldn’t fit into my family’s budget. Yet the commercial has continued to stay with me as a reminder of how we postmodern folk mark our Christmas-time, and as an invitation to allow Christmas to linger and then lead us into the rest of the year.
Is it possible that, after years of hawking “Christmas deals” in October, the advertising calendar has – in its own way – caught up with churchy calendars, where the Christmas season stubbornly hangs on well into January? In my own Roman Catholic tradition, the Christmas season only wrapped up today, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, after celebrating Epiphany last week. Likewise, many Christians in other denominations have also moved from Epiphany to Baptism of the Lord, but will retain the name “Epiphany season” until Ash Wednesday (February 13, this year). What sense can we make of this, we who have already boxed away our Christmas decorations, or who really should, and are looking forward to the seasons called “post-lockout hockey” or “Spring semester” or even “Valentine’s Day?” Read the rest of this entry
Glory Born for Us
Child of glory, born for us
By the Spirit, in our midst.
From your mother, shine for us.
Jesus, light our way.
Cosmic glory, born for us
By the Spirit, morning star.
Magi’s wonder, shine for us.
Jesus, light our way.
Son of glory, born for us
By the Spirit, through the waves.
From the Jordan, shine for us.
Jesus, light our way.
Sign of glory, born for us
By the Spirit, flowing wine.
Cana’s joy now shines for us.
Jesus, light our way.
Freedom’s glory, born for us.
By the Spirit to the end.
With your mission, grow in us.
Jesus, light our way.
Justin Huyck
Christmas/Epiphany
See readings (especially gospels) for:
- Epiphany (January 6): Roman Catholic (USCCB) and the ecumenical Revised Common Lectionary (Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
- Baptism of the Lord (January 13): Roman Catholic and Revised Common Lectionary
- Second Sunday in Ordinary Time/after Epiphany, Year C (January 20): Roman Catholic and Revised Common Lectionary
- Third Sunday in Ordinary Time/after Epiphany, Year C (January 27): Roman Catholic and Revised Common Lectionary
PHOTO: Extra Medium (flickr). Some rights reserved.
Christ Abiding
This week’s post is a continuation of last week’s reflection. It is offered as a way of praying through the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy and other experiences of grief this Advent season.
Christ Abiding, Joy entwining
With our sorrow, grief, and loss.
Our grieving is your groaning
And our brokenness your cross.
Help us heed prophetic voices,
Knowing you are in our midst.
May we comfort one another
Til your peace and justice kiss.
Justin Huyck
Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday (December 16)
Readings: Roman Catholic (USCCB) and the ecumenical Revised Common Lectionary (Vanderbilt Divinity Library). Also: Roman Catholic Collect Prayer (PDF, with FDLC commentary).
PHOTO: holidt (flickr). Some rights reserved.
God Abiding
Apologies for this blog’s long hiatus. The new liturgical year seems like a good time to relaunch the project. Thanks for reading.
God Abiding, world-igniting,
God of sun and moon and earth,
All our living, moving, being
Rests in you and finds it worth.
Though the storms of life may shake us,
And our hearts be filled with fear,
Still your peace lives deep within us,
And your promise always near.
God Abiding, hope surprising,
God of strength and tender might,
From the waters you have claimed us,
You have robed us with your light.
When we step into the darkness,
Ever faithful you remain.
You prepare a road of glory
Through despair and loss and pain.
God Abiding, God arriving,
Let us run to meet your Christ.
And may we who breathe his Spirit,
Share his mission, live his life.
May we grow in love and wisdom,
And be faithful to our call:
Seeking freedom for the burdened,
Seeking joy and peace for all.
Justin Huyck
Early Advent
(See readings and collect prayers for first and second Sundays of Advent, Year C. Collects, with reflections, can be found at the FDLC website: Advent 1 PDF and Advent 2 PDF.)
