Many years ago I read the book Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer, by David Steindl-Rast, and loved it. The wisdom found there can be appreciated again and again. As we approach our national feast Thanksgiving, let us ask the Spirit to open our hearts to gratitude every day of the year.
Only gratefulness, in the form of limitless openness for surprise, lays hold of the fullness of life in hope.
– David Steindl-Rast, Gratefulness, Heart of Prayer
New life and the color green – both remind me of hope. As I look out on evergreen trees from my window, I am reminded that the promise of life is all around me as the leaves of the not-so-evergreen trees fall to the ground.
The young, tender, green barley gives us hope of meals and harvests
Today’s Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 37. I’m pretty sure I’ve shared this before, but verses 4 and 5 have always spoken to me about something that is key in discerning what God is calling us to. We need to listen to our hearts. Of course, this works better if we align our hearts with God.
Take delight in God, and God will give you the desires of your heart.
I love the poetry of Wendell Barry; he is a man of hope.
The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope. -Wendell Barry
Chihully shows us the artists’ way of renewing the earth. This spectacular garden is found at the permanent Chihully exhibit in Seattle.
OPreach 