THE COMPANIONS

COVER

Creator God, Holy One, let us rejoice in your

beautiful creation: the sun, moon, stars, earth,

fire, water, air; two-leggeds, four-leggeds,

winged, scaled, and leafed.

And be Glad.

 

You are our heartbeat, our breath, our soul.

You hear our prayers for all who suffer.

You cradle all who no longer live on Earth

and soothe those left behind. Help us to be

all that we can be in your love and compassion.

And to know we are One.

 

Ann Smith, SCHC

Happehatchee Chapter

 

SUNDAY: THANKSGIVING

 Blessings are always threefold, like the triune God who graces me with them.

My kitchen window from which I see a series of sunsets

+ the eyes to see their brilliant colors

+ the heart to appreciate each one anew.

The gift of a long friendship with a dear man

+ a remission of his melanoma

+ an awareness of God’s loving care for us all.

Gratitude in layers. Trinity at work in my life.

Thanks always be to God.

 

Eileen Harakal, SCHC

Chicago-Midwest Chapter

 

MONDAY: SIMPLICITY OF LIFE

Simplicity of Life.

In church and out, a life of prayer

for self and for others.

 

Evelyn Keddie, SCHC

California-Northern Chapter

 

TUESDAY: UNITY OF ALL GOD’S PEOPLE

Open our ears. Open our hearts.

Help us listen deeply

And discover what we share

Rather than what separates.

Open our eyes. Open our hands.

That we can see the Christ

In one another

And offer the Christ to others.

 

Margaret Young, SCHC

Charles River Chapter

 

WEDNESDAY: SOCIAL JUSTICE

 

Sometimes I wonder whether, when they pass beyond this life, there will be mercy for those who have caused such evil and deep pain in your world. Yet, in humility, I must confess that I have remained silent at times when I should have spoken up in defense of victims of racism and prejudice. Almighty Lover of Our Souls, on our journeys through life, may we follow Christ’s command to love all neighbors as ourselves. May we defend the victims of injustice and work for healing, and may you shower those suffering and oppressed with compassion and grace; and, in your judgment of all, please remember mercy.

 

Pam Lang, SCHC

Philadelphia Chapter

 

THURSDAY: PEACE & RECONCILIATION

That perpetual interchange of love which is the life of the Divine Unity, is possible only between equals. There is a love which stoops, there is a love which adores; but the ultimate and primal love … flows from heart to heart, in one circle forever renewed. The task of the ages is to evolve a society which shall subsist in a unity of love that shall bear some likeness to the Divine Nature in Whose Image we are made.

 

Vida Dutton Scudder, SCHC 1889-1954

Social Teachings of the Christian Year

 

FRIDAY: GROWTH IN THE SPIRITUAL LIFE

 

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us.

Melt us, mold us, fill us, use us.

May the dawn of each new day create in us an

increasing awareness of your presence.

In our daily encounters, help us to remember the

richness of your love, as we love others.

Help us to live as followers of The Way,

trusting in you.

When the day is done, grant us a peaceful rest.

Then when our task on Earth, Dear Lord, is ended,

grant us a home above.

 

Lynn Buggage, SCHC

Philadelphia Chapter

 

SATURDAY: PRAYERS PERSONAL AND GENERAL

 Thanks be to God for the SCHC’s strong Franciscan and Benedictine foundation: for our daily round of prayer, for our individual study and ministries in the world, for our community shared in chapters, and for the material possessions which we steward to support community life, mission, and outreach; for the witness of Saints Francis, Clare, and Elizabeth of Hungary to our SCHC Aims of simplicity of life and service honoring all of creation.

 

Kay Evans, SCHC

Parker River Chapter

Photo: Lynn Adams