This past weekend, we heard a reading from Exodus where God tells Moses that the people have “turned aside from the way I pointed out to them,” and that they have become “stiff necked.” God is not pleased and grows angry. Thankfully, Moses intervenes, asking God to be patient with the people. God relents, giving them another chance.
For me this story is a complex one, but one theme that surfaces again and again is that we get spiritually lost and stray so easily.
Sometimes it’s a small detour, but other times we might find ourselves WAY off the path. Individually and collectively, we probably need to keep asking ourselves questions that help us orient and re-orient ourselves (we’ll talk about those in a future blog post).
One mantra I just love comes from the Psalm we heard today. As a congregation, we said the words, “I will rise and return home.“
I will rise and return home.
At any moment when we realize that we are off the path, we can retun home. Home to our bodies. Home to our breath. Home to our commitments. Home to compassion or generosity or kindness. No matter how long we have been gone from these, we can come back to them in the present.
You may remember that in the story of the “Prodigal Son” in Luke 15, these are the words the “lost” son says when he “comes to his senses”. He realizes that he is lost, and decides to come home. He is well aware that there is much to address in his life, but he turns toward home and moves in that direction.
And in that story, we are told that the father “runs towards him.” God will do the same for us every time we turn towards home. God will meet us on the way.
For today, reflect on a something that you have wanted to do or a practice that you have wanted to start (or return to). And for today, turn towards that and give it a little more space in your life to see what happens. Rise and return home.
8 Comments
Kathy Welch
It is absolutely amazing to me everytime this happens: I sit in meditation, and open my eyes to find JUST what I needed. Sometimes it is in nature, sometimes in the lyrics of a song or even a touch. Today it was your words, Mike. Grateful to you and God for the fresh start to this day. ~ Kathy
Francene C McCarthy
Thank you, Mike, for this reflection. I too was touched by the psalm response and prayed fervently for those close to me who have strayed from the church and it’s teachings although remaining spiritual. I feel we all need a community to feel that oneness and together we can make it through the storms of life and “Rise and return home.” When our prayers like the prodigal’s father’s prayers will be answered.
Claire Benesch
I love when I check my email in the morning and I am surprised by a meditation from you, Mike. Thank you for this morning’s thoughts. I stray and then sometimes think, how can I return to God once again. Thank you for reminding me that God will never turn me away. I only need to come home!
Stephen T Tedesco
Great reflection Mike. I think one of the other themes is this past weekend’s readings is hypocrisy. They, we and Paul are a people of hypocrites. Our words although they expound faithfulness are undermined by our actions. Jesus hated hypocrisy and thought it was the worst sin. God and Jesus provide us a means to return to truthfulness and true honor to God.
Mary Sweeney
Great reflection, Mike. It hits home for me in these times. Thanks for your wisdom.
Carol Lee
Thank you Mike,needed your words!
Theresa Tensuan-Eli
Mike, thank you for this beautiful reflection; I am reading it early in the morning as we are preparing to take Mira to the airport for her pre-orientation and as I am steadying myself for her departure have been thinking about needing to return to morning prayers to be able to enter into the day with an open heart. Your words open up this space and spirit – maraming salamat! – Theresa
Sue Spoonhower
Yes, the call and the need to return home … this is making me think and then pray. Sometimes I just need to pause and create a clearing in my heart and mind. Maybe I have strayed from the path or lost sight of it. I can always, always turn toward God or even intend to turn to my home in God and then I feel love, strength, connection.
Thank you, Mike.
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