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I wrote LITANY FOR AN EMPOWERED WOMAN for proper 20 of Year B in 2018. You can still find it here.

This year I’m focusing on another theme present in the Lectionary texts, that of virtue. In this prayer, I’m taking all the virtues traditionally reserved for the “Proverbs 31 woman” and applying them to everyone. Which seems to me to be resonant with the overall message of the text, no exclusions or gender double-standards apply.

The scriptures for this week offer us a blatant pathway to the good life: “happy are those…” it says. James wants his audience to “Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.” (James 3:13). And the Wisdom of Solomon text offers a contrasting example of a life of wickedness and injustice.

In the gospel reading, Jesus gently rebukes the disciples for their ego-centered one-upmanship. He pulls them toward a more humble, heart-centered way: "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all."

So, without shame or apology, we admit that we want that good good life. That drawn-near-to-God life. That happy and delightful life. So we embrace these virtues as part of our true, God-imaged nature.

God, we notice the virtues extolled in the sacred texts:
Wisdom (1),
Kindness (1)
Generosity (2),
Diligence (3)
Strength (4)...

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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.

In preparing to write this litany I was reading through some commentaries, and one point in particular, made by Dr. Audrey West, struck me (especially in regards to my recent sermon at PeaceWilco): that the first quote Jesus utters in John’s gospel account is a question. “What are you looking for” (NRSV), also translated “What are you seeking?” The two disciples, one of whom is Andrew, reply with their own urgent question “Where are you staying?”

What are we looking for? This is a deep, compelling, beautiful question. I believe it resonates to us today. What are we looking for? In our addictions, our people pleasing, our unrest, our endless consumption, our entertainment?

Are we looking for peace? Connection? To be seen? To be free? To be accepted? It’s not always an easy question to answer. Not even Andrew and his friend answered it - basically, whatever it is we think you’ve got it, Jesus. But it bears consideration for mindful, spiritual people of all traditions.

God, so many of us are searching and longing
For a good life,
For community and reciprocal relationships,
For acceptance,
For peace and freedom from worry,
For safety,
For engaging work,
For abundance….

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