The Reason for our Being
“My soul sings in gratitude. I’m dancing in the mystery of God. The light of the Holy One is within me and I am blessed, so truly blessed.
This goes deeper than human thinking. I am filled with awe at Love whose only condition is to be received.
The gift is not for the proud, for they have no room for it. The strong and self-sufficient ones don’t have this awareness.
But those who know their emptiness can rejoice in Love’s fullness.
It’s the Love that we were made for, the reason for our being. It fills our inmost heart space and brings to birth in us the Holy One.”
This artwork reimagines Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-56 (also known as the Magnificat).
As we anticipate Advent, it feels right to start with Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her message here is subversive. She prophetically speaks into being social, political, and economic change. Bob Henry’s artwork depicting Mary as a strong Black woman captures her powerful proclamation.
Art by Bob Henry, 2024 (source)
Pastor of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting
Today’s Invitation
Pick a line from the passage that speaks to you and journal or create art about what it means to you.
This Week’s Query
How can we prepare the way for powerful ministry?
Banner image: Joey Hartmann-Dow
This week’s messages are guest edited by Ashley M. Wilcox, Quaker minister, best-selling author of The Women’s Lectionary, and founder of Public Friends, a new nonprofit created to support Quaker ministers. Find out more about Ashley.
