Midday Prayers

Tuesday

Land Acknowledgement

As we gather here at Camp McDowell, Alabama, we acknowledge the Yuchi, Muscogee,  and Shawnee people, the traditional custodians of the land on which this camp stands. We recognize that they occupied and cared for this land over countless generations before being invaded and decimated by European forces.

Kyrie. Christ, have mercy.

We also acknowledge the enslaved Africans who lived in bondage here in Walker county, Alabama. In 1850 census, we find that 263 Africans – ranging in age from four months to 75 years -- were enslaved by 76 owners.

Kyrie. Christ, have mercy.

This land on which we walk and pray and laugh and weep – this land is stained by the blood and sweat, moans and tears of indigenous and African siblings.

Let us walk gently on this land, hallowed by the blood and sweat, moans and tears of indigenous and African siblings.

Kyrie. Christ, have mercy.

We pause in confession, in respect, in mourning.

We offer our hearts, our minds, our spirits to the Holy One who listens and who heals. Kyrie. Christ, have mercy.

By Rev. Beth A. Richardson

Wednesday

Stories from the Desert Fathers:
The Sleeping Brother

Some old men went to Abba Poemen and asked, "If we see brothers sleeping during the common prayer, should we wake them?"

Abba Poemen answered, "If I see my brother sleeping, I put his head on my knees and let him rest."

Then one old man spoke up, "And how do you explain yourself before God?"

Abba Poemen replied, "I say to God: You have said, 'First take the beam out of your own eye and then you will be able to remove the splinter from the eye of your brother."

Monastery of Christ in the Desert, New Mexico https://monasteriesoftheheart.org/oblate-cistercians-de-guadalupe/stories-desert-fathers-sleeping-brother

Thursday

A Holy Pilgrimage

You walk a holy journey
You have never walked before,
Full of tears and gratitude,
Gentle conversations,
Silences filled with love.

No one knows the way,
But you meet each twist and turn
With discernment and courage,
Hope and faith.

You walk this pilgrimage,
In many ways, by yourself—
But you are never truly alone.

Others walk before you, behind you, beside you,
Surrounding you with love,
Wrapping you in hope,
Touching your spirits in peace.

You are loved,
You are held,
You are God’s.

From Christ Before Me, Christ Within Me by Beth A. Richardson. Copyright ©️ 2016 by the author. https://upperroombooks.com/christbesidemechristwithinme/

Friday

Holocaust Remembrance Day