Life is a succession of dyings and risings. At the center of the Eucharist, we proclaim,
“Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again.”
–Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation, November 27, 2022
This morning I saw minuscule buds
on my Christmas Cactus.
Last year’s $5.99 Walmart purchase
has a long way to go
to replace the glorious plant
that got me through many winters.
Like you, perhaps, Advent makes me
keenly aware of what I used to have
and can’t get back–
the loss
a cold draft
that keeps finding its way in
no matter how often I close the door.
It’s getting darker
in the northern hemisphere
but on December 22
there’ll be a little more light,
on December 25
even more.
After death comes resurrection.
New buds.
Warm breath.
Light.
Can I trust the ancient rhythm?
Can I trust the Ancient One
Who came, is coming, will always come
even if I don’t know
how or when?
I cannot tell you
how the light comes,
but that it does.
That it will.
That it works its way
into the deepest dark
that enfolds you …
—Jan Richardson, “How the Light Comes”
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Advent 2 Reflection
Take a few moments and be with the words and images in today’s blog post.
- What have you lost?
- What thoughts, feelings and felt senses arise as you welcome or resist this?
- Imagine God listening and feeling what you feel. What do you sense God offering you in this moment?
- Where have you noticed signs of resurrection?
An Everyday Pilgrim 