e~mergent kiwi

bread for the journey

Here's a liturgy, titled "bread for the journey" I wrote for communion today, reflecting on bread in light of a variety of scriptures ...

Jesus spoke: People do not live
on bread alone, but on every word
that comes from the mouth of God
Matthew 4:4

ALL: You are the bread of life
Christ, our Centre
Our Word of eternal life
Bread for our journey.

Give us today our daily bread.
Matthew 6:11

ALL: You are the bread of life
Fresh to us each day
Sustainer and satisfier
Bread for our journey.

Update: added this verse after this reflection.
Give us today our daily bread.
Matthew 6:11

ALL: You are the bread of life
Yet in a world where many lack daily bread
Help us eat justly, consume wisely for our world
Bread for all our journey.

Which of you,
if his son asks for bread,
will give him a stone?
Matthew 7:9

ALL: You are the bread of life
The giver of gifts
In grace and with plenty
Bread for our journey.

We have here only five loaves
of bread and two fish.
Matthew 14:17

ALL: You are the bread of life
Embracing our lives and talents
our passions and possessions
Bread for our journey.

While they were eating,
Jesus took bread, gave thanks
and broke it, and gave it, saying,
"Take and eat; this is my body,
given for you."
Luke 22:18

ALL: You are the bread of life
We do this in memory of you
Bread for our journey.

In the same way, after the supper
he took the cup, saying,
"This cup is the new covenant
in my blood, which is poured out
for you."
Luke 22:19

ALL: You are the cup
of the new covenant
We do this in memory of you.

Ritual to mark new beginnings

This is a family ritual to mark a new beginning and to pray for fresh life.

Take a packet of seeds, preferably fast growing flowers, especially if you have young children. Remind the kids of the new beginnings they are experiencing.

Together clear the earth, ideally in a place that you will pass often as a family. Give seeds to everyone in the family. Plant them together as an act of prayer, that new life will emerge and that fresh colour will spring forth.

thin spaces

It was the baptism of Kelli today. She is a young woman, an unchurched atheist, until about 6 months ago. She has a strong environmental heart and it has been a joy to see her grow and unfurl over the last months. She was presented with a bone carving of a koru - a Maori symbol of new life and growth.

She was baptised at the beach. The new minister of Graceway, Mark Barnard, talked about the Celtic notion of thin spaces, where the gap between heaven and earth is no more. The sun shone and the waves lapped. Some fish even jumped. Various Graceway kids could not resist the lure of the water. It was indeed a thin space.

coffee whore finds hope

On my way to work, nice vibe, good art on walls.

I am tasting their takeaway as I type. And this local coffee guide gives me even more hope.

[grid blog :: ritual]

grid blogging is a voluntary commitment to blog on a shared theme. ashley was the originator of the concept, and has suggested ritual for january 15.

Here is a story of a Life Ritual
'"I have a ritual,' she said, pointing to her earings. Having graduated and working in a very difficult situation she decided to leave work and take a mundane job to pay the bills. It was a job she didn't enjoy but was totally powerless to change. During this time her best friend developed terminal cancer. This was a difficult time, visiting, watching the pain of husband and young family. The best friend talked, insisting that she take control to change things. She inspired to take a Masters degree which in turn has lead to this present new job, a commissioning agent for a successful publishing company.

After my best friends death, the husband gave me a pair of very special diamond earings he had bought for her. I treasure these. Every time I face the challenge of comissioning a new book or meeting a new client, I wear these earings. I draw inspiration from my friend's dedication to life being lived to the full. My friend still inspires me on a daily basis to excel and so I intentionally wear these beautiful earings as a spiritual committment to work to my full potential. By this I am honouring her memory, encouraging her family to press on and I trust inspiring you."

In turn I am offering you her inspiration. Today create a new ritual for yourself. Chose a piece of jewellery. It may already have deep significance for you. It does not need to be expensive. What counts is your intentionality as you put it on to commit to exploring your spiritual potential to the full.

:: Excerpt from Olive Drane's forthcoming book Life Rituals by BRF. In it Olive looks across the breadth of life from the everyday patterns that give rhythm and meaning to the once in a life time experiences whether ecstatic or devastating.