Epiphany 6: Litany for Inner Transformation

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We are presented in Deuteronomy and Sirach with this idea that we get to choose how we live. We get to choose life and prosperity or death and adversity (Deut 30:15). We’re never forced into any path.

And then in the Gospel reading, Jesus is giving a treatise on what I’m calling inner transformation; telling us that what happens in our inner lives is as or more important, as or more informative of what actions are expressed in our outer lives. That our motivations come from within. That we need inner transformation before we can become true followers of the path of peace. He’s calling us to a radical self-honesty, to pay attention to our inner selves and do the work involved in deep transformation. He’s asking us to choose life.  


God, we know that before each of us are life and death;
Whichever we choose we will be found (1). 

We hear Christ’s call to radical self-honesty,
Humility, observation, and truthfulness (2).



Epiphany 5 (Year A): Litany for Salt and Light

The Sermon on the Mount, in my opinion the most important piece of Christian scripture, moves along this week. In this portion of Matthew 5, Jesus places himself squarely inside the ancient wisdom tradition of his family line. He emphasizes that what he’s doing and teaching is a continuation of that tradition, a building upon it. He reminds his listeners of the great teachings of the prophet Isaiah:


“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

This is how to be salty salt, says Jesus. This is how to be illuminating light. To follow the tradition of compassion, the trajectory of love, the “arc of moral justice”. To season the world with good work. 

God, injustice is a dry meal, bland and indigestible.
Poverty and prisons rot the bones (1).
Hierarchy and exploitation cover us in dimness,
And the poor and powerless are trampled in dust.

Epiphany 4 (Year A): Litany for What's Good

Hi! In 2019 I moved much of my work over to Patreon
as part of my effort to make this work sustainable.
So thanks for reading and subscribing.
You can find archived litanies here, and purchase my book here.

This week’s Lectionary contains both the famous Micah 6:8 “Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly” admonition, and also Christ’s best and brightest sermon, in which he articulates the values and practices that constitute his religion. Revolutionary teachings, to which I’m clinging desperately and steadfastly these days. 

God, you’ve told us what is good,
Christ has demonstrated it,
And our experience confirms it:
To do justice, love kindness, and walk with humility …