Many consider that we are not "human beings" but rather we are spiritual beings in human form. They would continue to suggest that our human form is only temporary, but our spiritual being is eternal through God. It is for this reason that we are drawn to spiritual practices; they nourish and feed our spiritual nature, sustaining us so that we may live this human life.

 

Few of us dine on the same food day in and day out, our diet changes regularly. Time of day, day of the week, season of the year, and even personal preference all determine what food pleases us.

 

This is true also for the spiritual food that sustains us, our spiritual practices change. My morning prayers are often different from those of the evening or night. At different seasons in my life different prayer practices just fit me better. And there are times when even my most loved comfort food is just "meh"; so too for spiritual practices, we can go through dry spells as well as epiphanies or illuminations. But just like we continue to eat, even when the food is "meh", we should continue to pray.

 

Thankfully, I rediscovered a prayer practice that has been very fulfilling. Having agreed to write thank you notes for all of our stewardship pledges I was pleasantly surprised at this forgotten practice. While fulfilling the need to write thank you notes I took time to pray for each person as I wrote their note. I would envision where they sat on Sunday morning, the ministries that they are involved with, conversations that we have had, or any particular need that I could include with my prayer. It became a delightful and fulfilling practice sealing each envelope with an amen.

 

Next week when we publish the names of all those who have pledged to support the parish in 2017 I encourage you to give a prayer of thanks for each of those listed; thank them for their presence and their ministry, thank them for their gift that will sustain our parish ministries; picture them in your mind's eye as you say amen.

 

If you are interested in other prayer practices please remember that is the current topic of our 9am Adult Forum on Sunday. We will be discussing labyrinths and other physical forms of prayer. Later in the month, by request, we will walk through the maze of saying the Daily Office, it is not as confusing as it appears.

 

Looking forward, our Epiphany Service of Light on January 6 will include a spiritual practice for your home, but you have to wait to learn what that is. After being fed with spiritual food we will also share a wonderful meal of fresh spaghetti, salad, and bread thanks to the culinary ministry of Lisa and Phil Stylos, so be certain to get this date on your calendar.

 

 
Peace,