“He Loved Them to the End”

Opening
In these sacred moments, I quiet myself.
I humble myself.
I lean in.

Reflection
I listen and watch
as the loving and pain filled journey
Unfolds before me.
What do I notice within me?
I take my time
Moved by Jesus’ great display of love.

Invitation
You are invited to enter the scripture through your imagination. Ask the Spirit to guide your thoughts as you read. Read the scripture through slowly a couple of times. Take it in through your senses. Enter as an observer focusing on Jesus’ words, actions, and affect. Notice what draws you and pause there. Talk to the Lord about what stirs within you.

John 13: 1-17, 31b 35
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself.  Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.  He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”  Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”  Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.”  Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”  Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”  For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?  You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.  Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.  If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.  I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’  I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he. Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.  If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.  Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Prayer Response
“Having loved his own
Who were in the world
He loved them to the end”
These words never fail to move me.
Your love doesn’t stop
Even when you are troubled in spirit
Even when you know what lies ahead
Your love doesn’t stop.
So invested in my freedom, my life
My healing and my wholeness
Your love doesn’t stop.
Help me to believe in
How much you love me.
Help me to believe
There is nothing that can keep me
From your love.
Let the knowledge of it
Seep into my very bones
And permeate all that I am.
Let it set me free
From my doubts
and insecurities.
Let me live and walk
In that love.
And having received it
May I reflect it
To all around me.
Thank you gracious Savior.
Thank you. Amen.

Copyright © 2019, Journey Center of Chicago,  All rights reserved.

Holy Week

Opening
Lord,  I pause with you for these sacred moments.
May I be ever present to you and changed through them.

Reflection
As I journey through Holy Week now,  
I am aware of what is to unfold.
So I pay attention,
listening, watching, waiting, witnessing.
Deepen this journey within me.

Invitation
Read the scripture slowly through a couple of times. Notice where you are drawn and pause there. What is stirred with you? Share it with the Lord.

Philippians 2: 5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,  but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Prayer of Response                                                                                   
Jesus,
I am
Moved
Awed
Humbled
In wonder
by your extraordinary gift
Moved
Awed
Humbled
In wonder
seeking your forgiveness and transformation
I offer myself to you
in love and gratitude
Amen.

Copyright © 2019, Journey Center of Chicago,  All rights reserved.

Broken Hallelujah
Sixth Sunday of Lent

Opening
Lord, in the stillness of these moments quiet my heart that I may be more present to you. Help me to draw near, to attune my ear to you, and to lean in close. Prepare my heart Oh Lord to hear you.

Reflection
As we journey through these closing Lenten days now,
we do so ever so slowly, purposefully.
We walk attuned to the Lord’s journey into Jerusalem
knowing it leads towards the cross
We hear the shouts of praise from the crowd
Knowing soon they will be shouts for him to die.
Where does our praise ring empty?
Where does our faithfulness fall short?
We look with honesty, not to beat ourselves up, but to seek forgiveness and wholeness.
We listen for God’s invitation to us said with love.

Invitation
Read the scripture slowly through a couple of times. Notice where you are drawn and pause there. What is the Lord saying to you.

Luke 19:28-40
And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Prayer of Response
Music and Lyrics of the song Broken Hallelujah, by The Afters

I can barely stand right now
Everything is crashing down
And I wonder where you are

I try to find the words to pray
I don’t always know what to say
But you’re the one who can hear my heart

Even though I don’t know what your plan is
I know you make beauty from these ashes

I’ve seen joy and I’ve seen pain
And on my knees I call your name
Here’s my broken hallelujah
With nothing left to hold onto
I raise these empty hands to you
Here’s my broken
Here’s my broken hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Here’s my broken hallelujah

You know the things that have brought me here
You know the story of every tear
‘Cause you’ve been here from the very start

Even though I don’t know what your plan is
I know you make beauty from these ashes

I’ve seen joy and I’ve seen pain
And on my knees I call your name
Here’s my broken hallelujah
With nothing left to hold onto
I raise these empty hands to You
Here’s my broken
Here’s my broken hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Here’s my broken hallelujah

When all is taken away
Don’t let my heart be changed
Let me always sing hallelujah
When I feel afraid,
Don’t let my hope be erased
Let me always sing
Let me always sing

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah (I will always sing)
Hallelujah (I will always sing)
Hallelujah (here’s my broken hallelujah)
Here’s my broken
Hallelujah (I will always sing)
Hallelujah (I will always sing)
Hallelujah (here’s my broken hallelujah)
Here’s my broken
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Fifth Week of Lent

Opening

Lord, as I sit here with you, I am mindful of the gift that it is. Help me to more fully drink it in. 

Reflection

As we journey through Lent,
we do so slowly, purposefully. 
May our senses be awakened
as we mindfully walk towards the cross and then the empty tomb
attuned to the Lord’s voice.

What do we hear on the way when we encounter brokenness within ourselves and others in the gospel story? 

We pause to notice and to contemplate, 
to do as Walter Burghardt SJ writes,
“to take a long, loving look at the real.” 

We take our time in order to genuinely see.  

We do this mindful of God’s unconditional love for us. 

We look with honesty, not to beat ourselves up, but to seek forgiveness and wholeness. 

We listen for God’s invitation to us said with love. 

Invitation

In these moments you are invited to enter the scripture through your imagination. This is right before the Passover, shortly before Jesus’ death. Read the passage slowly and prayerfully. Enter as an observer and let the story unfold before you. Are you drawn to a particular person in this story? How does their story touch yours? Notice what draws you and pause there. Talk to the Lord about what stirs you within.

John 12:1-8

“Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,  “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”  (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)  Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

Prayer of Response

Jesus, 
your friends 
seem like
they couldn’t get enough of you
Each one 
seemed to drink you in
Being moved by you
they expressed their love
in joining you at table,
serving you well
anointing you with the best they had
I wonder Lord 
in these moments
if these friends 
were not a balm to your heart
even as the perfume was to your feet?
It makes me wonder Lord,
what can I offer you
to show my love
my support
my attentiveness to you too?
Show me dear One.
Help me to drink you in deeply too
As I stand before you
I offer you my heart
I pour out my love to you
hoping it is a balm 
to your heart too.
I love you
You who have graced my life
with so much.
I love you.

Amen.

Copyright © 2019, Journey Center of Chicago,  All rights reserved.

Fourth Week of Lent

Opening
Lord, as I sit here with you, quiet my heart and mind. In the stillness, stir in me a deeper sense of your love that invites me to come as I am with all that I bring. As we reflect together, may your unconditional welcome open my heart to you and may I rest there.

Reflection
As we journey through Lent, we do so slowly, purposefully. May our senses be awakened as we mindfully walk towards the cross and then the empty tomb attuned to the Lord’s voice.What do we hear on the way when we encounter brokenness within ourselves and others in the gospel story? We pause to notice and to contemplate, to do as Walter Burghardt SJ writes, “to take a long, loving look at the real.” We take our time in order to genuinely see.  We do this mindful of God’s unconditional love for us. We look with honesty, not to beat ourselves up, but to seek forgiveness and wholeness. We listen for God’s invitation to us said with love. 

Invitation
As you read the scripture below, you are invited to read it slowly and prayerfully. As you read notice who in this parable you are you drawn towards. How do they touch your own story? What is your need or longing as you read?

Luke 15:11-32

“Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.  Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on.  He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”

Prayer of Response
Loving Parent,
I am aware
You see me
and know me
as I am
with all that I struggle with
and all the ways I get it wrong
And yet
You see me
not as damaged goods
But as one you deeply love
You give me freedom
Even when it hurts me
Yet you don’t stop
loving
waiting
longing
for me
to enter your loving embrace
once again
to rest in your presence
as your beloved
son and daughter
to see myself
to live as
your beloved one
created in your image
knowing
I carry you within.
Thank you loving parent
Thank you.
Amen

Copyright © 2019, Journey Center of Chicago,  All rights reserved.

Third Week of Lent

Opening

Lord, as I sit here with you, help me to rest in your presence. As I reflect with you, guide my heart and my thoughts towards your voice and your desire for me.  

Reflection

As we journey through Lent, we do so slowly, purposefully. May our senses be awakened as we mindfully walk towards the cross and then the empty tomb attuned to the Lord’s voice.

What do we hear on the way when we encounter brokenness within ourselves and others in the gospel story? 

We pause to notice and to contemplate, to do as Walter Burghardt SJ writes, “to take a long, loving look at the real.” 

We take our time in order to genuinely see.  

We do this mindful of God’s unconditional love for us. 

We look with honesty, not to beat ourselves up, but to seek forgiveness and wholeness. 

We listen for God’s invitation to us said with love. 

Invitation

Read the scripture through slowly a couple of times. Notice what draws you and pause there. Talk to the Lord about what stirs you within.

Luke 13:1-9

“At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.  If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

Prayer of Response

Holy One, 

These words are hard to take in

I struggle within

I cannot begin to understand

Or measure up

I confess before you

My wrong thoughts, words, actions

The ways I let you down

am unloving and unkind

To you, neighbor, and myself even

Please forgive me 

Set my feet on the right path.

Cleanse my heart and mind.

Help me to receive then your forgiveness

Knowing you love me as I am

And desire what is best for me

Thank you for your grace

So readily available

And yet I don’t always believe.

Lord, help my unbelief

Help me to live in the light of your love

Believing I really am made new.

Make me mindful 

of your walking beside me

Help me to lean into you

for it brings peace within.

Amen.

Copyright © 2019, Journey Center of Chicago,  All rights reserved.

The Second Week of Lent

Opening
Lord, please quiet my inward clutter so that I may be present to you. Move me through your Word that I may be changed through it.

Reflection
As we journey through Lent,
we do so slowly, purposefully.
May our senses be awakened
as we mindfully walk towards the cross and then the empty tomb
attuned to the Lord’s voice.
What do we hear on the way when we encounter brokenness within ourselves and others in the gospel story?
We pause to notice and to contemplate,
to do as Walter Burghardt SJ writes, “to take a long, loving look at the real.”
We take our time in order to genuinely see.
We do this mindful of God’s unconditional love for us.
We look with honesty, not to beat ourselves up, but to seek forgiveness and wholeness.
We listen for God’s invitation to us said with love.

Invitation
You are invited to enter the scripture through your imagination. We use our imagination not to take away from the Word, but in order to take it in more fully. Ask the Spirit to direct your thoughts as you read. Read the scripture through slowly a couple of times. Take it in through your senses. Enter as an observer focusing on Jesus’ words, actions, and affect. Notice what draws you and pause there. Talk to the Lord about what stirs you within.

Luke 13:31-35
“At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Prayer of Response
Oh Lord, how often I am focused
on my life and my own laments
That I don’t notice your own
I hear your dear cry of love for your own
And the pain of not being seen or heard
The breaking of your heart
Echoes through me
I hear the ache of your longing
To gather your own
To enfold them in your love
Even whilst you are so painfully aware
Of your upcoming death
Thank you for this glimpse
Into your own heart,
Into your own pain
I offer my heart to you
Where longing meets longing
Ache meets ache
Lament gives way to my own
Gives way to relief
Thank you for your tears
Mine merge with yours
Let me rest beneath the shadow of your wings
Where I am held in your loving embrace

Closing Prayer
For those who also know what it means to be tossed out,
Not seen or heard, wanted or loved
Even by the church
Encourage them through your knowing what it is.
May each one feel your compassionate welcome,
The tender gaze in your eyes,
Your listening ear
Your shared tears
May all feel the embrace of your love
Which knows no end.
Amen.

Copyright © 2019, Journey Center of Chicago,  All rights reserved.

The First Week of Lent

Opening
Lord, in the quietness of these moments, deepen my awareness of your presence with me.
Encourage me through your love and grace to be transparent with you. As we reflect together, may your unconditional welcome open my heart to you and may I rest there.

Reflection
As we journey through Lent,
we do so slowly, purposefully.
May our senses be awakened
as we mindfully walk towards the cross and then the empty tomb
attuned to the Lord’s voice.
What do we hear on the way when we encounter brokenness within ourselves and others in the gospel story?
We pause to notice and to contemplate, to do as Walter Burghardt SJ writes, “to take a long, loving look at the real.”
We take our time in order to genuinely see.
We do this mindful of God’s unconditional love for us.
We look with honesty, not to beat ourselves up, but to seek forgiveness and wholeness.
We listen for God’s invitation to us said with love.

Read the scripture through slowly a couple of times. Notice what draws you and pause there. Talk to the Lord about what stirs you within.

Invitation: Psalm Luke 4:1-13
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Prayer of Examen
One of the gifts we get from St. Ignatius is the Prayer of Examen.
It is often prayed at the end of the day, though some pray it in the morning.
There are many variations of it. Its purpose is to look back on one’s day
through the eyes of grace by envisioning the Lord’s presence beside us
and inviting the Spirit to guide and speak to us in the prayer.
You are invited to pray this prayer of gratitude and grace now.

The Prayer of Examen

1. Be aware of God’s presence and thank God for it.
2. Envision Jesus standing next to you as you pray. Invite Him to guide you as you review your day. Ask Him to help you see the day through the eyes of grace.
3. Review all that has been good throughout the day, from the smallest gift to the most significant of gifts. You may want to recall one blessing in particular. Savor it. Offer God thanks.
4. Ask Jesus to show you where in the day you missed Him.
5. Was there a place in the day where you were not present to Him, yourself, or others? Ask for forgiveness. Receive God’s grace.
6. Commit the next day to God, asking for God’s guidance and grace in it.

Closing Prayer
Lord, I come before you
Comforted that you know what it means to be tempted.
How much it means
to know that you understand.
Lord, help me to hunger for what feeds the soul,
to desire and seek after what is most important,
And to trust you in everything.
Help me to view myself and others
with your eyes of grace and unconditional love.
Help me to walk in the freedom of your forgiveness
And in the light of your presence. Amen.

Opening
Lord, as I sit here with you, quiet my heart and mind. In the stillness, stir in me a deeper sense of your love that invites me to come as I am with all that I bring. As we reflect together, may your unconditional welcome open my heart to  you and may I rest there.

Reflection
As we journey through Lent,
we do so slowly, purposefully.
May our senses be awakened
as we mindfully walk towards the cross and then the empty tomb,
attuned to the Lord’s voice.
What do we hear on the way when we encounter brokenness within ourselves and others in the gospel story?
We pause to notice and to contemplate,
to do as Walter Burghardt SJ writes, “to take a long, loving look at the real.”
We take our time in order to genuinely see.
We do this mindful of God’s unconditional love for us.
We look with honesty, not to beat ourselves up, but to seek forgiveness and wholeness.
We listen for God’s invitation to us said with love.

Lectio Divina, which means Divine Reading, is a spiritual practice done with scripture. It isn’t so much that we read scripture as that scripture reads us. We approach scripture prayerfully and ask God to speak to us through it.
Read the scripture through slowly four times. The first time just read it through.
The second time notice if there is a word or phrase that shimmers or that you are drawn to.
The third time notice if there is an invitation from God to you. Let your heart respond.
The fourth time, as you read it, simply rest in the Word.

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-3, 10-12
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.”

Prayer for Ash Wednesday
Lord, I come as I am
As I do, I present myself
before you
Offering
My grief and pain
My inward wanderings and outward failures
My despair and seemingly powerlessness to change
My hopes dashed and my poor reflection
I offer you the cracked vessel that I am
Knowing you welcome it all in your potter’s hands
You remold and make me
Seeing what I cannot see
The value in me
As one created in your image
And deeply loved by you.
You remind me that it is through the cracks
That the light gets in
It is through the cracks
That your light shines.*
So help me to listen to and embrace my shadow
For it has much to teach me.
I offer myself to you with the ashes and cracks
Knowing transformation lies within your hands.

Closing Prayer
Lord, help us on our lenten journey to walk slowly and purposefully. Help us to hear and notice you. Enable us to see through your eyes your grace that heals, restores, and renews. May your presence be palpable as we mindfully walk the way to the cross with you. Amen.

*Musician Leonard Cohen wrote these lyrics in his song “Anthem”:
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.