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Under the Sign of Thomas

Under the sign of Thomas

we live—we doubters—

we wonderers—we wanderers—

scrupulously suspicious

of human and inhuman

dogmatisms,

unfootnoted creeds, 

and facile suppositions.

We must put

our heads as well as our fingers

at the point where facts

puncture the flesh

and measure how far

love can unsafely go.

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From “Invisible Harvest,” by the Reverend Thomas John Carlisle, 1987

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Grace Congregational Church members and friends have contributed to this year’s Lenten devotionals. This year’s Lenten theme is “Good enough: Embracing the imperfections of life and faith.” Today’s devotional was offered by Ellen Green who knew the author.

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Acts 4: 32-35

³² The group of believers were united in their hearts and spirit. All those in the group acted as though their private property belonged to everyone in the group. In fact, they shared everything. ³³ With great power the apostles were telling people that the Lord Jesus was truly raised from the dead. And God blessed all the believers very much. ³⁴ There were no needy people among them. From time to time those who owned fields or houses sold them, brought the money, ³⁵ and gave it to the apostles. Then the money was given to anyone who needed it.

Let us pray:

Oh God of Creation
and Bounty and all that is Good, 
Give us a vision 
To build community
To share what we have 
To emulate 
The vision of the first Church.
Amen

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Grace Congregational Church members and friends have contributed to this year’s Lenten devotionals. This year’s Lenten theme is “Good enough: Embracing the imperfections of life and faith.” Today’s devotional was contributed by Ellen Green.

The Lord’s Prayer from the Aramaic

O cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration.
Soften the ground of our being and carve out a space within us where your Presence can abide.
Fill us with your creativity so that we may be empowered to bear the fruit of your mission.
Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with our desire,
endow us with the wisdom to produce and share what each being
needs to grow and flourish.
Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us, as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes.
Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our true purpose,
but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment.
For you are the ground and the fruitful vision, the birth, power and fulfillment,
as all is gathered and made whole once again.

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Some early Christian groups sought to maintain Aramaic, the language of Jesus. As early as Constantine, translations of the Lord’s Prayer and other scripture appeared.

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Grace Congregational Church members and friends have contributed to this year’s Lenten devotionals. This year’s Lenten theme is “Good enough: Embracing the imperfections of life and faith.” Today’s devotional was contributed by Ellen Green.

I have witnessed performances that reached perfection, though never reached perfection myself.  We have probably all watched Olympic performances where straight 10’s were correctly awarded.  I once saw the judges in a Barbershop competition sit back and put down their pens to soak in just such a performance.

Google: “Ringmasters—Notre Dame” if you wish to witness perfection.  I guarantee goosebumps!

While very few humans rise to this skill level within their chosen field, each of us has gifts we can share that make us good enough for God’s love.  Thank God for your gifts and for your opportunities to share them.

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Grace Congregational Church members and friends have contributed to this year’s Lenten devotionals. This year’s Lenten theme is “Good enough: Embracing the imperfections of life and faith.” Today’s devotional was contributed by Russ Green.

“Let us be grateful for people who make us happy.    

     They are the charming gardeners

       Who make our souls blossom.”

– Marcel Proust 

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Grace Congregational Church members and friends have contributed to this year’s Lenten devotionals. This year’s Lenten theme is “Good enough: Embracing the imperfections of life and faith.” Today’s devotional was contributed by Barbara Densmore.