Liturgy 141: What Success Cannot Give
A Prayer for Trinitarian Participation in Spiritual Death
Lectio Divina
Did becoming older bring me closer to Jesus?
Henri Nouwen
After twenty-five years of priesthood,
I was living in a dark place
and the term burnout
was a convenient psychological translation
for a spiritual death.
Henri Nouwen
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world?
Mark 8
Prayer
Lord
I have seen
people receive
everything
they prayed for
I have arrived
at the horizons
I once saw
from a distance
But only
one thing
is needful
May my mind
preoccupied
with deadlines
and grievances
come back
to a quiet center
Closer
than my skin
Inside
every breath
I receive
O Living God
Author of Shalom
May I desire
what cannot be achieved
Blessing
Dear Friend
Our tradition reminds us:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
have always lived
in perfect love.
May you find your place
in their dance.
And when your heart wanders
into smaller, make believe kingdoms
may perfect love call you home.
In the Name of Christ
Amen