+Ambrose, 397+ Bishop of Milan
“Friends and dear ones from our yesterdays,
Coming home to that familiar place
A sigh catches your breath
then a smile for
The season of Stars and Promises”
Stars and Promises by Peter Mayer
I often think of memories and thoughts as being like mp3
files. We “record” these experiences and compress all the emotions, thoughts,
smells, worries and joys into data files which we then store on the “hard drives” of our
minds, hearts and souls. Every once in a while we stop to play them or listen
to them. Sometimes, it is too much to process. At other times it is just the
right thing for the right time.
So, I know that this day, December 7th has a particular and
poignant meaning for people who were alive at the time of the Attack on Pearl
Harbor. I am grateful for those who served and continue to serve our country in
the Armed Forces.
Today is a day in the church year that we celebrate Ambrose.
His “rise” to church leadership is truly remarkable. He was baptized, ordained
and made a bishop all within a week’s time. Talk about the “fast track” or
accelerated candidacy process. Ambrose was a fabulous writer and exemplary
leader. One of the hymns he wrote (and there are three of the in the ELW-
Evangelical Lutheran Worship) begins like this
O Splendor of God's glory bright,
O living
Spring of light from light:
come, very
Sun of truth and love;
come with
your radiance from above. (ELW 559)
Peter’s notion that this is the “season of stars and
promises” reflects such a heightened awareness of God’s presence, God’s light
and God’s love.
I recently recorded a video (with the help of Tim Frakes) about baking communion bread according to the Luther
Seminary Communion Bread Recipe (watch HERE).
I think it is fun, informational and inspiring.
A friend of mine said after viewing it, “you just light up
in the kitchen.” And her words made me think about what it means to “light up”
to be in harmony with the “season of Stars and Promises.”
The reason why Ambrose was selected for leadership in his
day and time was because he “lit up” the situations in which he lived.
As I watch Peter Mayer on stage connecting with the
congregation/audience he “lights up” the event with his words of hope.
I think of school teachers and nurses who “light up” the
lives of their students and patients. I’m mindful of “sandwiched generation”
women and men who “light up” their parent’s lives and also their children and
grand-children’s lives.
Just imagine what God is going to do with you this day
during this season of “Stars and Promises.”
“Light up”
rtg
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