Every week I usually forget most of the basics: a) you are loved. b) life is absurd. c) it's hard to be a human. Kate Bowler "And the word became flesh and came and tabernacled among us." John 1:14: (my translation). [Christ] "Determined to be God with us, refusing to be God without us. Jesus Christ is God refusing to be God alone." "Christ teaches us how to be human." "Jesus refusing to be God without the thoroughly human YOU!" Will Willamon, from the video clip: "Jesus Entering the World as Response to Suffering and Sin," Duke Divinity School. A Blessing for Presence by John O'Donohue May you awaken to the mystery of being here And enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses. May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon. May you respond to the call of your gift And find the courage to follow its path. May the flame of anger free you from falsity. May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and anxiety never linger about you. May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul. May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention. May you be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul. May you experience each day as a sacred gift, Woven around the heart of wonder. O'Donohue, J., (1998). Eternal Echoes. Exploring our hunger to belong. London, BantamBooks. p.139 "Earth is so thick with divine possibility that it is a wonder we can walk anywhere without cracking our shins on altars." Barbara Brown Taylor