Transcript for September 27, 2009 by Bob Kleinheksel
Our prayer is once again expansive this day; taking into account all we feel and know, all we ask and wonder; all we confirm. It is the offering and words to the God of our understanding and the humble and grateful receiving and accepting of the universe . . . what is and will be. We pray; for in praying we change how we see the world and people – and thus it all changes. We are a praying, meditating people; seeing the world and its people anew. We are a changed and changing people because of our prayers and mindfulness.
We are grateful for the subtle, and not-so-subtle, changes occurring around and within. Leaves continue to show off oranges, reds and yellow, but do not resist their free-fall and eventual decay; late summer colds emerge with sniffles and vaccinations abounding; we follow and wait for school buses at the predestined times and watch the annual dramas and tender exchanges between parents and kids.
So, too, do we shift in our awareness and being, changing in cell and sinew. Changelessness is an illusion, for all is dynamic. We are becoming – and this becoming and infinite life continues on into eternity.
Let us affirm our connection to all people: The visitor in our midst checking out a new community; the ones struggling with new life questions or circumstances; those whose relationships are changing or ending. Those whose lives ebb away because of cancer. The caregivers, steadfast and patient; the children in classrooms – those who reside in ease and those anxious. Those who have lost one loved. The unemployed or underemployed; those wracked with financial distress. And what about others celebrating new birth, new jobs and newfound enthusiasm? Let us connect through thought, cares, intentions to our fellow travelers, our far flung and nearby family members and friends.
In silence now we face our family members and friends and all who come to mind. We surround them with love, thoughts, care and hope. (Silence)
Let us be born again and again; let us continue to grow up and take our place in life. Marked by freedom, intention and maturity, let us both enjoy and enhance this community, our relationships and our world. While everything and everyone, including ourselves, need not be taken so seriously, there is much at stake . . . to learn, to grow, to be, to transform continually into more . . . for the sake and honor of life, of divine presence and love within us, between us and beyond us. Amen.
May I learn to let go of what is no longer needed as the trees graciously let go of their leaves.
Kat: It is interesting that ‘letting go as trees let go of leaves’ is an autumn perspective.
In Australia most native trees are evergreen: the leaves drop at random all year round, and trees have leaves right through winter. However, in early summer many trees shed their bark. This means the trees are open and vulnerable to insect attack. However it also makes the tree far less vulnerable to fire. Once the bark has been shed there is little left on a tree that will burn for long enough to actually kill a tree: volatile oils in the the foliage results in leaves that burn very quickly. For a few weeks after fire the trees appear dead. But then these trees burst into leaf again – a resurrection experience.
So the challenge to let go is a summer challenge here as much as an autumn challenge.