Tag: Vision

Advent Credo

Advent Credo

Daniel Berrigan

Daniel Berrigan was an American Jesuit priest, anti-war activist, Christian pacifist, playwright, poet, and author. His protest against the Vietnam War led him to be arrested many times but earned him much support. Destruction of Government documents (draft papers) led to him being placed on the FBI’s most wanted list, and eventual imprisonment. A radical, his heart was absolutely centred on God combined with a deep concern for those who lived impoverished lives. He served the poor, unwanted, unloved.
This piece is a poem he wrote about Advent and the hope and truth of the Love of God given to the world in Jesus.

ADVENT CREDO
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;

It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.

It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councillor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.

It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.

It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—
This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.

It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshippers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.

So let us find in  Advent,  hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice.

Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world.

(From Testimony: The Word Made Flesh, by Daniel Berrigan, S.J. Orbis Books, 2004)

Play for us ~ Vision on St. Cecilia’s Day

Vision.

Play for us!
Vision for St Cecilia’s Day

Play for us, Lord God.
We wish to hear music;
the music of heaven.
Play notes to calm our fears,
soothing our souls from anxiety.

Our world is ripped apart by sounds,
discordant, ugly sounds from the bowels of hell –
bombs, missiles, bullets, tanks, cries of painful death –
Guttural sounds of soldiers.
many far from home, tired too, hungry.
bewildered, disillusioned.

Ordered about by those whose only tunes are hatred.
a cacophony of crashing disharmony –
flowing from cankered, disfigured hearts
no longer united with the music
of the One who created them.

Wars begin in hearts crumpled by demonic blackness.
Is this hell?
Despair. The concerto of annihilation.
No symphony.
No sympathy.

But, if You, Lord, play music to us,
It will find a way to soothe and
caress our troubled souls.
Help us to hear the beautiful harmony
as you sprinkle note upon note
of your kindness and love upon us,
enfolding, holding, re-awakening our vision.

As your music lifts our hearts
towards the orchestra of heaven.
help us to become in tune with your message
which tells that there is more than hell on earth.
There is earth raised up to heaven.

Mr G. (St Cecilia’s Day 2025 revised)

Hope & Vision

Warton Tarn, English Lake District, photographed by Gill Henwood.

My friend, Gill, sent me this beautiful photo which I want to share with you.
This is what she said about it.

Shimmering in the late afternoon sun. The tarn is below High Cross, the pass over Hawkshead Hill towards Coniston. Rarely visited by comparison with nearby Tarn How’s. A delightful, wild tarn fringed with perfumed bog myrtle, with water lilies ringing the shallows. Nesting in the waving birch, willow and reeds. Badgers visit at night too…

Very peaceful in the light breeze and western sun – after the cold wet windy week. Hope!

God of new beginnings
we pray that you will transform
your world, our country,
our neighbours, ourselves,
as you renew us by your love.
Give us a vision of your creation,
wide, inviting, beckoning,
that we may travel hopefully
and with eager anticipation
that through faith and with your blessing
we may be empowered and inspired
to work together to build a better,
more just and fairer world;
where all may be sustained by the peace of Christ
and live in harmony with each other
and with the planet you have given to us
as our temporary dwelling place
on our journey to your Kingdom
Amen.

[Mr G]

Kite in flight

Phto: Lynn Hurry

This photo of a Kite soaring high in the sky over Norfolk was sent to me by my friend, Lynn Hurry.

It’s majestic  and breathtaking in a seemingly effortless pose as it rides on the wind. Sheer freedom.
Lynn adds this comment:

The Kite resembles our hope and desire to be caught by God’s love and lifted to heights unimaginable.

Quite an exciting January thought when so often our spirits are dampened by the darkness and by the cold.
Here’s a prayer reflection from Piers

God our Creator,
As the kite rides the thermals
soaring high above us,
eyes scanning the vast majesty of creation,
So, by the breath of your Spirit
lift us high to soar heavenward,
our vision wide and expansive
with fresh perspectives.
Help the eyes of our souls
to pierce through the shrouding
mists and troubles of this world
and there see hope and goodness,
and, as the kite stretches wings
to catch the rising warmth,
so help us to stretch our arms wide
with the uplift of your love.
Amen.

[PN]