Lenten Writing Prompt #1:
Today we will hear the words from Genesis 'for dust you are and and to dust you will return'. The song 'Woodstock' (written by Joni Mitchell), suggests that we are all also stardust. Knowing that life on earth is finite, but also that we are each made of the same ancient molecular material that makes up the stars from long ago, how does this influence the way you would like to please God with the life you have been given?
Solstice-Lunar Eclipse
ReplyDeleteSnow-laden deck, chill brisk, Winter heralded, dark of moon,
Dog barks announcing a rare sight, sweet keeper of night shrouded.
Season ensues with a wondrous ovation; stars sing forth their crystal tune.
Standing quietly capturing a digital frame, the new day dawns less crowded.
Attending creation asks a simple boon
Listen to one’s breath, find a posture of repose.
Let go the busy mindfulness, soon, soon
Will come awareness out of which true communion flows.
There be rhythms, rhymes, non-word speech for the soul.
One can learn from the seasons, the warp and woof of the day.
Life force flows freely in winds and waves from pole to pole.
Spirit, body, heart resonate leading mind on the pure way.
Doctoral studies for the everyday person available each moment.
What lesson might be taught by the sunbeam or moonscape?
Perhaps hours passed in gentle reflection will meaning foment?
Created order a profound, insistent mentor, from mind-bind escape.
Are there solstices of the soul?
Can the lunar shadows of the heart be known?
Shall we plumb depth of body mining fleshly coal?
Creator lead us until our fears to you have flown.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M. Div.
21-Dec-10
Wonderful!
DeleteStardust for Eternity!
ReplyDeleteAshes to Ashes,
Dust to Dust,
Stardust for Eternity!
http://labyrinthliving.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/stardust-for-eternity/
I love the form of this poem : )
DeleteI am mindful today of how fragile my life is. My faith is a treasure and trust that I may rest in God's care and protection.I am freed from the idol of incessant accomplishment and the god of needing to prove my worth by what I do. I am God's child!
ReplyDeleteI am mindful today of how fragile my life is. My faith is a treasure and trust that I may rest in God's care and protection.I am freed from the idol of incessant accomplishment and the god of needing to prove my worth by what I do. I am God's child!
ReplyDeletePastor Joel Lohafer
Hope Lutheran - Lynden, WA
Indeed!
DeleteDuring Lent last year, I suffered a cardiac arrest (actually two) and almost died. Had I died, my body would be dust, or well on its way. So what is the difference between dust and living dust? In the body, dust is formed in such a way that each organ serves every other organ in a manner that gives rise to the living being. In this circularity of service, you might love, dust rejoices.
ReplyDeleteIsn’t this circularity, this sharing of love that creates life both in the individual and the community the meaning of the Eucharist? Perhaps Da Vinci got it wrong with his famous painting. Had the last supper been shown as a circle, we might better have seen how the Kingdom of Heaven is a circle of love both within and about us.
Oops. Forgot my name. Larry, Kent Lutheran Church.
DeleteI love the ideas you have in this post. I love the circular DaVinci idea esp. : )
Deletelife's precious reality changes with such an event. may each beat be a quiet celebration.
Deleteronaldo
Dust in the Wind
ReplyDeleteby Marlene Obie
Dust of stars, dust of earth;
particles blended over time and space.
I am part of all that has and does
exist.
I am humbled to consider this relationship,
freed from limited, confined definitions
of they, for they is me.
However I honor or dishonor any living thing,
I embrace or abuse myself and
the Power that puts all into motion and being.
I can hear your voice reading this one, Marlene!
DeleteCreator's ecology includes me, thanks.
Deleteronaldo
The surprising smoothness of the ashes in oil.
ReplyDeleteThe sensation of the cross on my forehed.
The piece of hearty bread, mingled with the wine. The brief sting of the alcohol grounded me in the moment.
I am here. We are here. We are all here.
I am dust, and to dust I shall return. We are all dust.
We should be gentle with ourselves. We should be gentle with each other.
~Lisa, formerly of Shoreline, WA
Thank you!
DeleteGreat sensory images. I loved this!
Deletekneeling beside you. totally in the moment.
Deleteronaldo
The imposition of ashes is an act of humility, and one which simultaneously reminds us of our mortality and of our salvation. Science has also now taught us that we can see as deep into the dust as we can into the stars, by using microscopes and telescopes. Certainly our vision is finite, but "dust to dust" now also reminds that, as mortal as we are, we are part of the infinite God.
ReplyDeleteBill France, Everett
So true!
Deleteoverview perspective! bring it to us.
Deleteronaldo
Ash Wednesday 2013
ReplyDelete(dedicated to Jessica)
"You are dust
and to dust you shall return" Genesis 3:19b
Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust
As I grow older
this Litany seems to grow more potent
On Sundays as I look around
at an aging Congregation
I wonder
who will
or will not
be here next week
or next month
or next year
I scan the Nave gazing fondly
at Storykeepers from my Youth
as well as people I've newly grown to love
Slowly tears begin to well up inside
Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust
I see and pray for
Jessica, age 25, her curly hair newly grown-in
Thom, my Pastor's Dad, sharing his final Christmas memories with this strange congregation as gently as if with close friends
Marion, wife of the man who gives my Mother home Communion, planning a grand spaghetti feast for her "going home party"
All waiting. peacefully. knowingly.
For their very limited time left on this Earth
Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust
At Family Events, I watch my aging Parents
Observing the results of agonizing pain on my Mother's body
which now tortures her on a daily basis
Watch and listen to visiting Sisters
Teasing about which of us is 'going' first
Watch and listen to stories of my children's
and grandchildren's serious illnesses;
Unable to help them from 2,000 miles away
Remembering that local ancient cemeteries
hold tombstones of two of my Great-Grandmothers'
children who died at very early ages
Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust
Sometimes I think about myself
All the things I haven't finished
The mistakes
The faux pas
Social errors (Oh,so many)
People I've hurt or not connected with
How I've fallen so short
of using the many Gifts God has given me
And whether I'll have time to make better use of them
Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust
And then I remember
that God has always used imperfect people
to further God's Kingdom
Only Jesus lived His whole Life
without letting God down
And even He died
Only Jesus didn't turn into
ASH
or
DUST
He died so that when we finally do turn to
ash and dust
If we have believed on Him
He will remake us
We WILL finally be whole
with Him forever
Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust
Is a reminder
Not of my failures
But of Jesus' Victory
Of my belonging to Him
Along with all the Saints
The Dust is, after all, Stardust
Sara Heck
PS. Jessica became Stardust, and is now with her Lord,
on Friday, January 25, 2013.
Very powerful!
Deletefrom Marlene
DeleteWow!
I think Jessica's star will be remembered. She is loved.
DeleteRonald "Ronaldo" Melver
Star dust
ReplyDeleteIn the corner of our stairs
and the edges of our rugs
the dust gathers
and waits.
We chase it away
but it comes back.
It comes home.
Ashes to Ashes, Dust to dust.
These teeny tiny bits
These teeny tiny parts of the earth
of the universe
aren’t put off by my annoyance.
They play the game
and leave when they are chased
and return when they want
Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust
So the saints of God
who have gone to the dust
find their way home
to live among those of us
who are still here
for now
and continue to touch us
with God’s grace.
Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust
Soon enough
all of us will go home
and God’s star dust
will wait for the celestial celebration
no more!
I love your images here, Pr. Larry! I love the almost personification of the dust particles, and then feeding that image into to image of the saints, who are dust as well. Great poem!
Deletefrom Marlene
DeleteI like the mixture of playfulness, purposeful, poignancy and release being thrown up in celebration together.
Images deftly forged.
Deleteronaldo
Thank you for reminding me that, because of God's Grace, the dust and ashes never really leave us alone.
DeleteSara
Sara, I laughed out loud at your phrase "never really leave us alone"! That great - that's what I was saying too! Thanks
DeleteForeheads
ReplyDelete“From dust you were formed and to dust you will return”
Ash crosses traced on the foreheads of my congregation
reminder of a blessing.
smooth forehead, passionately feeling the drama of the evening
dry papery forehead, feeling closer to the return than the rest of us
wrinkled forehead of a shrugging 13 year old
hidden forehead under carefully coiffed bangs, lifted like a veil
familliar faces, strangers...
I am next up
With my children
6-year old receives the ash with curiosity, novelty
3 year old receives the ash willingly, obediently
I receive the ash distractedly, but it still comes
My oldest asks what it means
I falter for the words:
"I guess it means that we need to do the very best we can in this one amazing life we’ve been given, honey"
Then I whisper to her after we are seated, smiling
"You know, we are made of stardust"
She beams at me and leans over to tell her sister the news
in a conspirational giggle-whisper that I almost cannot hear.
I look around the sanctuary and marvel at the crosses on each forehead
all look a bit different
And a little bit imperfect
Like us
But the dust is the same
Amen
from Marlene
DeleteI think their giggles blew stardusted miles around. Mine is showing now.
you've captured that moment well
Deleteronaldo
Do you think they'll ever update the Litany to "From stardust you were formed, and to stardust you will return"? Now that would be something!
DeleteThank you for letting me be there with this word/picture/spirit.
Sara
"conspirational giggle-whisper" kids these days! Great words - and so the gospel get passed from mother to daughter to sister!
Delete