Dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, England, United Kingdom

Image Source = Wikipedia

Prayer Source = Jonathan Montaldo, compiler, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton:  Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Thomas Merton’s Own Words (Liguori, MO:  Liguori, 2007), page 39

Prayer by Jonathan Montaldo

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I do not know myself outside of those who gather in your name

to praise your sacred deeds for our salvation

proclaimed in the gospel and celebrated in our Eucharist.

Give me the grace to cleave myself to the assembly gathered by you.

There is no salvation for me outside the presence of my brothers and sisters

who together hear and do your word.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/devotion-for-the-fifteenth-and-sixteenth-days-of-lent-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/sixteenth-day-of-lent/

President Lyndon Baines Johnson Signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into Law

Image Source = Wikipedia

Prayer Source = Jonathan Montaldo, compiler, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton:  Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Thomas Merton’s Own Words (Liguori, MO:  Liguori, 2007), page 37

Prayer by Jonathan Montaldo

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My God, help me to see the mystery and beauty in every person

and to respond with love and joy

to your presence within them.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/devotion-for-the-fifteenth-and-sixteenth-days-of-lent-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/fifteenth-day-of-lent/

A Slum in Jakarta, Indonesia

Image Source = Jonathan McIntosh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jakarta_slumhome_2.jpg)

Prayer Source = Jonathan Montaldo, compiler, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton:  Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Thomas Merton’s Own Words (Liguori, MO:  Liguori, 2007), page 35

Prayer by Jonathan Montaldo

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Let me feel shame, Lord, for my sins,

particularly ones based on injustice and unconcern.

Let me know my heart as it is in your sight

and my neighbors’ sight.

Straighten the torturous paths of my heart.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/devotion-for-the-thirteenth-and-fourteenth-days-of-lent-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/fourteenth-day-of-lent/

Title Card of La Haine (1995)

The above image is a screen capture.

Prayer Source = Jonathan Montaldo, compiler, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton:  Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Thomas Merton’s Own Words (Liguori, MO:  Liguori, 2007), page 33

Prayer by Jonathan Montaldo

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I listen to the words of your prophets

as they express in human terms the alienation we experience

when we ignore your counsel and become self-centered,

both as individuals and collectively.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/devotion-for-the-thirteenth-and-fourteenth-days-of-lent-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/thirteenth-day-of-lent/

Shift Change from Metropolis (1927)

The above image is a screen capture.

Prayer Source = Jonathan Montaldo, compiler, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton:  Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Thomas Merton’s Own Words (Liguori, MO:  Liguori, 2007), page 30

Prayer by Jonathan Montaldo

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Save me, O God,

from being a full participant in a society

grown fat and rich on the backs of others.

Take off my blinders so I may see

the injustice and poverty everywhere around me.

Help me understand the need

for a repentance that turns my heart

to a loving and just relationship with everyone.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/devotion-for-the-eleventh-and-twelfth-days-of-lent-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/twelfth-day-of-lent/

2010 Workers Memorial Day Poster

Image Source = Wikipedia

Prayer Source = Jonathan Montaldo, compiler, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton:  Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Thomas Merton’s Own Words (Liguori, MO:  Liguori, 2007), page 27

Prayer by Jonathan Montaldo

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You enjoin me to give up everything to follow you.

You teach me that the price of genuine freedom

is to become poor and hungry for the kingdom of heaven.

Freedom for your disciples is freedom

to do justice and liberate our neighbors,

as we liberate ourselves,

from whatever keeps us fettered in ignorance

of your command to love our neighbors as ourselves.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/devotion-for-the-eleventh-and-twelfth-days-of-lent-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/eleventh-day-of-lent/

Moonlight

Image Source = Godoi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Moonlight_rhine.jpg)

Prayer Source =

Prayer source = Gates of Prayer:  The New Union Prayerbook–Weekdays, Sabbaths, and Festivals:  Services and Prayers for Synagogue and Home (New York:  Central Conference of American Rabbis, 1975), page 672

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As the moon sinks on the mountain-edge

The fisherman’s lights flicker

Far our on the dark wide sea.

When we think that we are alone

Are steering our ships at midnight,

We hear the splash of oars

Far beyond us.

A Nature Trail

Image Source = Tommy2010 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CountrysideupstateNY3.jpeg)

Prayer source = Gates of Prayer:  The New Union Prayerbook–Weekdays, Sabbaths, and Festivals:  Services and Prayers for Synagogue and Home (New York:  Central Conference of American Rabbis, 1975), page 661

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I have tried to reach You, I have called with all my heart;

And on my toward You, You come forth to meet me!

In the wonders of Your creative power, I perceive You.

In the holiness of Your sanctuary, I find You.

A Forest Near Jerusalem

Image Source = Wikipedia

Prayer Source = Gates of the House:  The New Union Home Prayerbook–Prayers and Readings for Home and Synagogue (New York:  Central Conference of American Rabbis, 1977), page 252

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Working is another way of praying,

You plant in Israel the soul of a tree.

You plant in the desert the spirit of gardens.

Praying is another way of singing.

You plant in the tree the soul of lemons.

You plant in the gardens the spirit of roses.

Singing is another way of loving.

You plant in the lemons the spirit of your son.

You plant in the roses the soul of your daughter.

Loving is another way of living.

You plant in your daughter the spirit of Israel.

You plant in your son the soul of the desert.

Greek Music Lesson, 510 B.C.E.

Image Source = Wikipedia

Hymn Source = Chalice Hymnal (1995), of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Words (1992) by the Reverend Ruth Duck (United Church of Christ), Professor of Worship at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (United Methodist), Evanston, Illinois

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1.  Colorful Creator, God of mystery,

thank you for the artist teaching us to see

glimpses of the meaning of the commonplace,

visions of the holy in each human face.

2.  Harmony of age, God of list’ning ear,

thank you for composers tuning us to hear

echoes of the Gospel in the songs we sing,

sounds of love and longing from the deepest spring.

3.  Author of our journey, God of near and far,

praise for tale and drama telling who we are,

stripping to the essence struggles of our day,

times of change and conflict when we choose our way.

4.  God of truth and beauty, Poet of the Word,

may we be creators by the Spirit stirred,

open to your presence in our joy and strife,

vessels of the holy coursing through our life.