A weekly collection of inspiration and resources for the journey, gathered from websites, books, and pass-alongs that have been shared with us. From The Wisdom Years – Spirituality for the Last Third of Our Lives.
America, America
On this momentous election day in our country, we recall the words of Jesus as he mourned for his people gone astray: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Matthew 23:37). Let us today gather as God’s beloved brood and join together in prayer and reflection for the soul of our country.
We offer you these resources.
Prayer for the Election
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
– The Book of Common Prayer, p 822.
Who Will We Be On Wednesday?
By Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson
Diocese of Virginia
November 2, 2020: Today is All Souls Day, Dia de los Muertos, a moment spent between the worlds, which feels eerily fitting, because Election Day is tomorrow. This week feels like we are careening from an unnerving present into an unknown and frightening future – whatever the outcome of the election. There are dire predictions everywhere – again, whatever the outcome. And there’s the distinct possibility that we will be stuck for a time in another, deeper level of limbo – or is it purgatory? – than the one we’ve inhabited now for months. Who will pray us out of this??? (And who will bring us marigolds and ofrendas if it goes badly?)
The Heart of Democracy
By Parker Palmer
Excerpt from Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation, November 3, 2020
The Center for Action and Contemplation
Of all the tensions we must hold in personal and political life, perhaps the most fundamental and most challenging is standing and acting with hope in the “tragic gap.” On one side of that gap, we see the hard realities of the world, realities that can crush our spirits and defeat our hopes. On the other side of that gap, we see real-world possibilities, life as we know it could be because we have seen it that way. . . .
If we are to stand and act with hope in the tragic gap and do it for the long haul, we cannot settle for mere “effectiveness” as the ultimate measure of our failure or success. Yes, we want to be effective in pursuit of important goals. . . . [But] we must judge ourselves by a higher standard than effectiveness, the standard called faithfulness. Are we faithful to the community on which we depend, to doing what we can in response to its pressing needs? Are we faithful to the better angels of our nature and to what they call forth from us? Are we faithful to the eternal conversation of the human race, to speaking and listening in a way that takes us closer to truth?
Election Day Prayer Vigil
From Washington National Cathedral
Tuesday, November 3 • 7 am–9 pm
As America votes in a contentious election, the Cathedral will open its doors for a 14-hour vigil of prayer and reflection on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Throughout the day, clergy will lead continuous prayers, and we invite you to join us for a brief moment of peace and time in the presence of God. The vigil will be webcast throughout the day.
Prayer Vigil from SSJE
On Tuesday, 3 November—the night of the US elections—the brothers of the Society of St. John the Evangelist will hold a livestreamed vigil before the blessed sacrament. Beginning at 7:00 pm EST and concluding when the final polls close at 1:00 am EST, the brothers will pray in silence, punctuated by hourly psalms and litanies, praying for voters and government officials, for stability and transparency, for peace and justice, and for our shared political life. It will be a long night for the country; in the midst of this earthly uncertainty, we invite you to join us in watchful prayer, abiding together in the steadfastness of God.
If you have something to add to Gathered Wisdom, send it to Marjorie George at
marjoriegeorge62@gmail.com
Gathered Wisdom is from The Wisdom Years, a ministry that invites older adults to deepening spirituality in the last third of their lives. If someone forwarded this to you, learn more about The Wisdom Years and subscribe to the site at
ww.wisdomyears.org.
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