Monday Manna
It all starts with what we avoid...
Good morning, friends, and deep blessings to you in this week of Advent peace ~
I don’t often repost things I’ve written before, but I’m going to this week not only because there are a *few* things going on, but because when I read what I wrote last year at this time, it was exactly what my heart most needed right now (and I wonder if that is a sign maybe you need it too). Plus, it connects well with what I wrote last week about finding drishti and focus as we prepare for Christmas. It was December 2024 when I came across these words from Father Richard Rohr which reframed everything for me in general, but especially in Advent…
“Jesus invites us to withdraw our allegiance from a world of bigness, clarity, immediacy, looking good, and security, and to see life instead as smallness, patience, humility, inner wisdom, and risk-taking.”
Father Richard’s wisdom encapsulates for me what the invitation in Advent is all about, but also, why it is so hard to embrace amid the “Christmas culture” around us. We live in a world of ‘going big,’ constant improvement, and quick results, and I have found myself so convicted in my own sense of pull toward that. It takes a solid pause of reflection for me in my paralysis over presents to recognize I actually don’t need another gift guide in my inbox. The most treasured gifts this Christmas will not be quantifiable things at all.
This second week of Advent is known as the “peace” week (week one is hope, two is peace, three is joy, four is love), and Rohr’s words feel, to me, like a pretty tangible path for us to get there — in our own hearts, but also in our world. Father Richard’s list, though, are a lot of the things (I’ll speak for myself) which I often avoid.
I really believe peace and patience are the guardrails we hold here, and that patience is in the bedrock of Advent — after all, Advent begins with a promise, and embedded in a promise is some sort of delay, right? We must wait for what we most desire…
All holy desires, wrote St. Gregory hundreds of years ago, heighten in intensity with the delay of fulfillment, and a desire which fades with delay was never a holy desire at all.
What would it look like to make our desires this week that alternative list? The list we avoid? Maybe you want to pick one of them and write it on a sticky note you can place over the planner page where you’re writing everything you think you *must* do today, or place it on the mirror as a touchstone while you’re changing and getting ready, or somewhere on your car dashboard for time shuttling around…
I desire smallness instead of bigness…
I trust the strength of patience more than immediacy…
I choose humility rather than clarity…
I want inner-wisdom more than looking good…
I embrace risk-taking instead of clutching security…
Any step you take which honors one of these desires will bring peace. And remember that to live with ‘what is,’ is to be peaceful. You can live a counter-testimony today with that, showing those around you there is another way…
A Prayer
This prayer from my book, Ash and Starlight: Prayers for the Chaos and Grace of Daily Life, Second Edition, lifts a prayer for peace in all ways….
When I’m longing for peace, within and without
Beautiful Spirit of Peace,
I am longing for peace within
and peace around….
For peace in families,
peace in neighborhoods,
peace between nations,
peace for mother earth,
peace in the quiet depths
of my own soul.
Peace for people ripped open
by painful divides on
streets and in conversations…
Peace for friends facing
suicide and prison….
Peace for loved ones living through
divorce and death and hard anniversaries….
Peace for people leaving home
because their job relocated
or the money wasn’t there anymore…
Peace for those who uncovered a shocking
revelation about someone they loved,
and they aren’t sure what to do or whom to trust.
Peace for all whose
greatest fears actualized
before their eyes,
and sighs and tears
became a daily language.
Peace that holds all of
us in wholeness
when we’re carrying
grief or heartache,
chaos or tumultuous questions.
When what’s most precious to us
was swept away in one, swift wave,
or the world’s teeming with so much noise
and busyness we can’t hear ourselves think.
I ask you, Spirit of peace and hope,
to blow a breath of balm upon the wounds,
and lead us toward bone-deep belief.
Even in this challenging landscape,
may your presence bring peace
passing all understanding as it
strengthens bodies,
renews minds,
and heals this land.
I thank you that peace is not a dream,
but a promise.
And you are the Giver of Peace.
Amen.
Matthew 5:9 * Luke 1:28-32 * John 14:27
“Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give to you. Do not let
your hearts be troubled, and do not
let them be afraid.’” – John 14:27
Something that nourished me recently…
*On the theme of an alternative path and choosing smallness and presence, I have found myself so deeply nourished by this beautiful book of poetry my friend gave to me — “Tiny Universe,” by Rachel Beachy (which, even the title seems like a gorgeous paradox, doesn’t it?). Most of her poetry centers around themes and experiences of early motherhood, and yet, the richness of what she writes brings resonance and relevance far beyond parenthood. I have felt my heart expand with each poem.
*And speaking of poetry, this poem by Naomi Shihab Nye…wow, did it resonate.
Ash and Starlight, plus other good things…
* MY ETSY SHOP ~ Clothes, art prints, cards, personalized prints, and originals! The next few days are probably the deadline for getting things in time for Christmas, especially clothes! I send a portion of each sale to World Central Kitchen which provides hunger relief. You can view the shop here.
*SECOND EDITION OF ASH AND STARLIGHT ~ I can send personalized book stickers if you’d like to give this as a gift to someone this Christmas! Find the updated edition of my book here at Chalice or at the Bookshop link.
*MONDAY MANNA ARCHIVES ~ Monday Manna each week is free! Paid supporters of Monday Manna can view previous Monday Manna reflections here, or for the really old stuff, go to my website.
*WHAT DOES MANNA MEAN? ~ Check out an earlier post to learn how this little bit of “daily bread” got its name…
Blessings to you, friends, as we embrace the alternative list…smallness, patience, humility, inner wisdom, and risk-taking. One step at a time, and with each step, more peace.
Love and Light,
Arianne
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Man, that quote from Richard Rohr. Thanks for sharing that.
Beautiful post speaks volumes. Love that I keep learning about the spirit and beauty of the season.
Thank you 🙏