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Autumn is a
season that's hard to miss and who would want to with the brilliant
colors that emit a special, holy light? And yet, it's a bittersweet time
for the colors are all too quickly extinguished by the cold, biting
winds…
On our
Christian journey, we keepers of the liturgical calendar, begin and end
the Sundays of November this year with two celebrations that are
"autumnal". November 4 is the festival All Saints' Sunday. November 25
is the last Sunday of the church year - Christ the King Sunday.
Not only do the
seasons of nature have their rhythms of dying and rising so too as God's
children we confess the same hope daily as we live the dying/rising life
of Baptized children and as "we look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come."
I share with
you "A Prayer for Autumn Days" by Sister Joyce Rupp, OSM for the
reflection on this Autumn Journey…
"God of the
seasons, there is a time for everything; there is a time for dying and a
time for rising. We need courage to enter into the transformation
process.
God of autumn,
the trees are saying goodbye to their green, letting go of what has
been. We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity
and risk. Help us to let go when we need to do so.
God of fallen
leaves lying in colored patterns on the ground, our lives have their own
patterns. As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from
them.
God of misty
days and harvest moon nights, there is always the dimension of mystery
and wonder in our lives. We always need to recognize your power-filled
presence. May we gain strength from this.
God of harvest
wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts of growth lie within the
season of surrender. We must wait for harvest in faith and hope. Grant
us patience when we do not see the blessings.
God of geese
going south for another season, your wisdom enables us to know what
needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future. We
yearn for insight and vision.
God of flowers
touched with frost and windows wearing white designs, may your love keep
our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons.
God of life,
you believe in us, you enrich us, you entrust us with the freedom to
choose life. For all this, we are grateful."
Praying your
Autumn Journey is touched with Color, Light and New Hope!
Pastor Renee Tecklenburg
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