“We pray for those things that give us joy and hope. For those things that we trust in, believe in, will sacrifice for. These are gifts of grace, and perhaps we need not define them in order to savor them, rejoice in them, be thankful for them.” -Krista Taves
What brings you joy and hope?
My great-grandfather, facing a hard life in his village just south of Naples, decided he had to try to make a life in America with his skills as a brick mason. He couldn’t do that if his wife and three daughters were with him, so he went alone, and sent for the rest of his family only once he had the means to do so. Together, my great-grandparents decided that the sacrifice of separation was worth the promise of a better life. -Michael Tino (CLF)
How has the sacrifice of separation entered your life?
“Spirit of Creation, remind me that there is a power in me and within all beings that is greater than anyone or anything. Remind me that I was made for this stuff and can be fully human, vulnerable and delicate and also fierce in the face of adversity. Remind me that I need not sacrifice one way of being for the other but get to embrace both in this work of creating more love, justice and beauty in the world. May it be so. Amen.” -Katie Romano-Griffin
What are seemingly opposing things that are both part of you, neither of which you have to sacrifice for the other?
“We think of the prophets… who voiced unpopular opinions, who made personal sacrifices, and sometimes lost their lives, for the sake of justice.” -Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley and Clyde Grubbs
Who are the prophets, living or dead, who have inspired you?
As children, each of my siblings and I were given a small allowance. From it, we were expected to bring a quarter for the offering plate at church each week. I understood it as way to build a habit and expectation to give of myself during the worship service. No matter who was in attendance, when the offering plate came to our row, each person participated in giving. To a casual onlooker it may not have seemed like much of a sacrifice, but to me, it meant not being able to buy 5 pieces of bubble gum that week after school. It may not have been a perfect offering, but it was what I could do at the time and it did make a difference. -Lori Stone (CLF)
Listen to music that affirms all of who you are today.
“Forget your perfect offering
Ring the bells that you can ring
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in”
-adapted from Leonard Cohen, sung by Lisa G. Littlebird (listen here)
