Sharing the Word- January 20, 2007 Women's Liturgy
Preaching: Marie Andrews
     We have just celebrated a new year filled with new beginnings and new hope. Hopes for integrity, justice, peace.When will all those weary mothers, farmers, workers and soldiers, rest. When will we scatter our seed freely by flowing streams, let the ox and donkey roam free, when will we finally rest and be no longer weary.

     The psalmist tells us proclaiming, ”A light rises in the darkness, a light for the upright.” I propose to you, that each of you as an individual and you the collective group are that light, the light in the darkness. Every time you treat someone with justice, each time you are generous and merciful, each time you lend yourself to someone in need you are the light shining in the darkness. Now is the time to rise up, to be the light and greet the new day with a blessed good morning.
       Yes we have seen darkness. We each know personal and communal night. Some say our country is in its darkest moment. But in this darkness we need not be afraid to linger.
There are stars around us who cry out for peace. Women and men, who shine brightly in the night, who show us how we might proceed.
       One such women, who illuminated her time was Emily Greene Blach, Nobel Peace prize winner in 1946. As with all great writers her words seen as true today a when she delivered her speech in 1948. Noting the quickening rate of change in the world due to technological advances, she observes that it is difficult for “Those who lack resilience and a capacity to readjust themselves.” These are the people who cling to accustomed traditions and old habits for inner stability. Yet there are those “who are rooted in the depths that are eternal and unchangeable and who rely on unshakable principles” with courage based on faith, these times are immensely adventurous for such people.
       Emily encourages us ”We must not be discouraged that the threads of our social texture cross one another. We must remember nothing can be woven out of threads that run all the same way…differences as well as likenesses are inevitable, essential and desirable. An unchallenged belief or idea is on the way to death and meaninglessness.”
      While it is good and important to know our communal history, we must also claim our personal history. Claim for ourselves, our light. Have we taken time lately to treat ourselves with integrity and justice, to know our life, freedom, love and creativity? Have we trimmed our lamps so that they may burn brightly? Our work no matter how well intentioned will lack integrity if we are not at peace in our homes and communities.
      Some summers ago, I had a friend and her son staying with us during the month of July, temporary hospitality. While it may have looked good, my guest had the audacity to challenge me and call me a clanging gong, a noisy cymbal. At first I was horrified, then by God’s grace I realized the truth in the words she had spoken. Although she was my friend and we had opened our home to her I had not really opened my heart. I judged every action of hers, the use of her time and resources. This is the great challenge of the gospel and of peacemaking to give with an open heart and to find a balance for self and other.
     Are we at peace with ourselves? Have we looked at ourselves as individuals and seen our connection to I am, I had a psychologist once who had me make an I am list I am patient, I am generous, I am mother, I am wife and so on. I still have hat list and when I am feeling especially ill at ease or lost and searching for my soul. I pull out my list and review it. I am peace. I am integrity. I am justice. I am joy. I am long suffering. I am hope, and the list goes on. I am one with I am. Knowing this, being clear about this identity has helped me be at peace during some rather tumultuous times. Remembering this emboldens me to be who God has called me to be. Now today. Not in some far distant dream after a long return from exile, not when I finish the next phase in my life. Not when my children are grown, not when my marriage is all I want it to be but now, today. Today is the time. Now is the time to be peace. To look at every moment, every encounter as a blessed opportunity to behold God’s creation or even the face of God and to recognize in that meeting the I am who is distinctly another I am with whom we are one.
    Small groups ( please gather in groups of 4 or 5 to share your reflections with one another)
    Sacred Intentions (Please choose a dove and write on it your scared intention) As the music plays you are invited to come forward and place your dove on the tree either in silence or by proclaiming My sacred intention is _____) After each intention please respond Blessed are you _______, a peace maker.