This day the Sun kissed me awake the earliest it will all year and will linger more hours than any other day - here where I live in the Northern Hemisphere it is the Summer Solstice. I am grateful for the light, the Sun illuminating the land bringing to bear a fierce and relentless energy. Blessings on you who live here in the Northern Hemisphere with me, may what is illuminated in this day give us insight and wisdom, may the fierce and restless energy burn away what no longer serves us. And for those of you who live in the Southern Hemisphere blessings to you in the darkness of the Winter Solstice, may the long hours of sacred darkness give you rest and regeneration to face the growing light.
0 Comments
For many of us in the Queer community around the world June is the month when many (not all) Pride events happen. There are parties, parades, and festivals. It is a time to celebrate how far we've come in terms of equal rights and the ability to have our bodies, our relationships, and our families treated with respect as opposed to the incarceration, brutal medical treatments, shunning, and legal disenfranchisement that was so prevalent throughout much of history. In many places in the world much has been won through a long struggle which included protests, legal battles, and deep personal costs. In many places in the world much still needs to change as Queer folk continued to be persecuted. Blessings this Pride month to those of you around the world who identify as Queer. Blessings on those of you who are not Queer but know and love Queer folk. Blessings even on those of you who still struggle with the idea of Queerness, may we continue the conversation.
In my Western Christian tradition it is Pentecost. In the Christian story Jesus friends and followers gathered together after Jesus' death and resurrection to mark the Jewish Pentecost (the feast commemorating Moses receiving the 10 Commandments). Although they are gathered to mark a religious festival, because of the recent execution of Jesus by the authorities and continued threats of violence, they are hiding, huddled away in fear. As they were gathered, The Holy Spirit swirls and whirls around them as wind and flame giving them courage and strength and the ability to fling open the windows and communicate with peoples of all cultures and languages. To me, both the Jewish Pentecost and the Christian Pentecost are about how we live in hope and courage in the face of fear so that we can be in loving and just relationship with one another and with all aspects of The Divine. It is about social justice and relationships that are compassionate and honest even when difficult. Blessings to my Jewish friends who celebrate Pentecost, blessings to my Christian family who celebrate Pentecost, and blessings to all people who celebrate relationships that are compassionate and honest among all beings even through the difficulty and fear. |
Columns, Blogs & PostsYou can read the blog about my newest book project, "What's Remembered, Lives!" here... Archives
May 2021
Categories |