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Another view of Hell Run, McConnells Mill State Park, Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, PA. (at Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuQFkNuFKRv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1to3z118ztj70

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Hell Run, McConnells Mill State Park, Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, PA. (at Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuQFHlVlzRD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1uuyq5altlm4e

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Another view of Hells Hollow Falls, McConnells Mill State Park, Lawrence, PA. (at Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuQEeF_Fj4U/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1t71uql960046

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Hells Hollow Falls, McConnells Mill State Park, Lawrence, PA. https://www.instagram.com/p/BuQELppFHxQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1sjx6q0xn4veo

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We Pray as a Community

“The Lord Christ did not want us to pray by ourselves in private or for ourselves alone. We do not say ‘My Father, who art in heaven,’ nor ‘Give me this day my daily bread.’ It is not for oneself alone that each person asks to be forgiven, not to be led into temptation, or to be delivered from evil. Rather, we pray in public as a community, and not for one individual but for all.”

~ Cyprian of Carthage (third-century North African bishop)

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True Love of God

“Consider that the blessed life we so long for consists in an intimate and true love of God, our Creator and Lord, which binds and obliges us all to a sincere love.” ~ Ignatius of Loyola 

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Caretakers of the Earth

“Our present ecological crisis, the biggest single practical threat to our human existence in the middle to long term, has, religious people would say, a great deal to do with our failure to think of the world as existing in relation to the mystery of God, not just as a huge warehouse of stuff to be used for our convenience.”

~ Rowan Williams (Contemporary Anglican bishop, poet, and theologian)

Prayer: We praise you, O Lord, for the waters, the mountains and hills, the deserts and valleys, the wilderness spaces, and for all living creatures. Forgive us when we have not been good caretakers of the earth. Make us into people who practice resurrection by bringing dead things back to life and by making ugly things beautiful again. Amen.

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Build on the Rock

“The Lord himself in the gospel teaches us the same when he says: I shall liken anyone who hears my words and carries them out in deed to one who is wise enough to build on a rock; then the floods came and the winds blew and struck that house, but it did not fall because it was built on a rock. It is in the light of that teaching that the Lord waits for us every day to see if we will respond by our deeds, as we should, to his holy guidance. For that very reason also, so that we may mend our evil ways, the days of our mortal lives are allowed to us as a sort of truce for improvement. So St. Paul says: Do you not know that God is patient with us so as to lead us to repentance? The Lord himself says in his gentle care for us: I do not want the death of a sinner; let all sinners rather turn away from sin and live.”

~ Benedict of Nursia (c. 480 - c. 547 A.D.)

Prayer: God of the Ages, through your ancient prophets and disciples, your saints of old, and your Spirit, you have told us what is good -- to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with you. Help us to stand on you, our Rock of salvation, for all other ground is sinking sand. Amen.

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Nothing But Joy

“You know that you who are God’s servants are living in a foreign country, for your own city-state is far away from this City-state. Knowing, then, which one is to be your own City-state, why do you acquire fields, costly furnishings, buildings, and frail dwellings here? Instead of fields, buy for yourselves people in distress in accordance with your means. It is far, far better to buy this kind of field, property, or building, which is quite different and which you can find again in your own City when you come home. This ‘extravagance’ is beautiful and holy; it brings no grief and no fear; it brings nothing but joy.”

~ Shepherd of Hermas (2nd-century)

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Doing Good

“I read in a book that a man called Christ went about doing good. It is very disconcerting that I am so easily satisfied with just going about.”

~ Toyohiko Kagawa, Japanese Christian reformer and evangelist (1888-1960)

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Our Vocation is Love

“Our vocation is to belong to Jesus so completely that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.  What you and I must do is nothing less than putting our love for Christ into practice.  The important thing is not how much we accomplish, but how much love we put into our deeds every day.  That is the measure of our love for God.”

~ Mother Teresa

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C-H-A-N-G-E

“We have a real difficulty here because everyone thinks of changing the world, but where, oh where, are those who think of changing themselves? People may genuinely want to be good, but seldom are they prepared to do what it takes to produce the inward life of goodness that can form the soul. Personal formation into the likeness of Christ is arduous and lifelong.”

~ Richard Foster (American Quaker, theologian, & spiritual writer)

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WONDER

“I did not ask for success; I asked for wonder. And You gave it to me.”

~ Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

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Love Your Neighbor

“Scripture says, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ And yet, you ask, ‘How can I love my neighbor as myself when I have things hidden in my heart which I cannot see, or even know?’ Do not consider virtues excessively difficult or unattainable, but make at least a little effort and have confidence in God. If our brother or sister needs something, give it freely. By this we go up the ladder of righteousness one rung at a time, until finally, with God’s help, we reach the top. For through this repeated coming to your neighbor’s rescue, you do what is advantageous for both your neighbor and yourself.” ~ Dorotheos of Gaza (6th-century hermit, monk, & abbot)

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A Prayer by Cesar Chavez

“Lord, show me the suffering of the most miserable, so I will know my people’s plight. Free me to pray for others, for you are present in every person. Help me take responsibility for my own life, so that I can be free at last. Grant me courage to serve others, for in service there is true life. Give me honesty and patience, so that the Spirit will be alive among us. Let the Spirit flourish and grow, so that we will never tire of the struggle. Let us remember those who have died for justice, for they have given us life. Help us love even those who hate us, so we can change the world. Amen.”

~ from Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (April 23rd)

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Making His Godhead Evident

“That mystery the Jews traduce, the Greeks deride, but we adore. For it is a fact that the more unbelievers pour scorn on him, so much the more does he makes his Godhead evident. Thus by what seems his utter poverty and weakness on the cross he overturns the pomp and parade of idols, and quietly and hiddenly wins over the mockers and unbelievers to recognize him as God.”

~ Athanasius of Alexandria (4th-century bishop)

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A Better World

“The world would be better off if people tried to become better. And people would become better if they stopped trying to become better off.”

~ Peter Maurin (Co-founder, Catholic Worker Movement)