Author: rkcdlitt

In our modern world, unless we enter a monastery, it is difficult to go into the desert for a lifetime. At least physically! I truly believe that when I enter my periods of meditation, I am spiritually entering the desert to pray, meditate, and enrich my life with the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding me. Although I live with my wife, we are in a crowded community of elderly people, all loving and kind people.

Even though we are surrounded by others, I am in solitude when in the presence of God. My thoughts may be crowded, but I do clear my mind for prayer. Spiritual separation is not possible until I can experience internal separation. Internal separation is only possible when giving myself solely to God in prayer. There is no other way. . . at least for me.

I was born in a big city in New Jersey in the 1940s. I lived the first twelve years of my life in the hustle and bustle of city life. My family then moved to suburban Summit, New Jersey. In this suburban town, I was immersed in the societal drive to financial success. It did not happen. I am not un-happy about this fact. After chasing the brass ring, I turned to a life of teaching and did this for the last twenty-four years of my work life. This was a blessing from God, and it was what my life was supposed to be.

As a teacher, my life did not slow down; I devoted my life to my students, whether I taught in high school or college. My prayer time was limited to Sunday mornings and blessings before meals. . . or so I thought! When I did finally settle down to prayer and meditation, wrapping myself in the Love of God, I realized that my life of teaching was indeed a life of prayer. God led me into teaching and blessed me with the patience to nurture each as an individual.

Amma Syncletica, desert amma (mother) from the third century allows those of us not living in the seclusion of the desert to be authentic solitaries. God has blessed me to be a solitary because my life of meditation brings me into a closer relationship with God and the Love I am invited to share.

 © Russell Kendall Carter

During Advent, we are bombarded by adds for gift giving. Let us stop shopping for trinkets and baubles that end up in drawers or closets, only to be forgotten well before the next Christmas season. We are radiant; we are His Glory; we are His splendor.

It is the time to emulate those kings bringing gifts to the newborn king. We have gifts of our own to bring. We leave instant gratification behind and bring the glory of our love of God as a gift. And that gift? It is ourselves.

We are His frankincense; His symbol of deity; we are so because we are filled with God’s presence within us. We are also His myrrh; we apply ourselves to His very being to protect Him from harm and preparing Him for His resurrection in five months. Finally, we are His gold. Our love for each other gives Him kingship in our lives. There is nothing we are not when it comes to the rebirth of Jesus in our souls.

© Russell Kendall Carter

We are all messengers of God. At times, this can be very challenging, especially when confronted with something or someone that really rubs us the wrong way. This is when we must turn to Christ, not only to show us the way, but to travel with us, leading us onto a simpler path that leads to doing God’s will.

To simplify our lives and walk on the path of peace, we share God’s blessings with all whom we meet. As Lucille Clifton writes, “You might as well answer the door, my child, the truth is furiously knocking.” The Truth, God, is knocking on His door, waiting for us to open it and step through, clarifying and making permanent our mission as messengers for our fellow man and woman.

Remember that Jesus walked, ate, and invited all of the forgotten members of society to share His path. When speaking of the rich, He reminds us that their reward is on earth, ours will be in God’s Kingdom. I like that idea. As we become messengers of God, we experience an all-encompassing feeling of Love. Let this Love become the message we share with all.

© Russell Kendall Carter

At this time of year, many charitable organizations, and churches, are asking for financial support. I don’t think this is what is meant by offering when we think of Advent. As we spiritually approach Bethlehem, we need transformation from this convoluted world of greed and want. Advent gives us time to reflect on our most hidden emotions and cries for God. 

I am partially disabled and cannot do much physically, but I can offer much to many things. I am fortunate to be able to help organize and put into motion efforts to support the homeless, the forgotten, and the immigrant. My offering to God is service and love. Service where it is needed and love. . . always. God has blessed me with the ability and willingness to talk with anyone.

As I meet with strangers, I treat them as family members with all the love I can. We become instant friends and many times hug as we leave. Yes, even in this time of social distancing.

We offer each other prayers and praise to God; we can also offer the same to those we meet every day. Bless you in your offerings.

© Russell Kendall Carter

As I honestly look at our lives on earth, I know that they are not forever. I also know that all of God’s creation is holy and will continue long after we no longer walk the earth. We, however, are the fruits of His creation; we are able to grow spiritually by His Grace. We are patient for we know that God always acts on our behalf, not in our time but in His.

As I grow in wonder of the spiritual rebirth of Jesus, I travel with Mary and Joseph towards Bethlehem, being transformed into wide-eyed, anxious children. What I await is never under a Christmas tree; what I await is the rebirth within us of the Glory of God’s Love, which is everlasting.

I read about John the baptizer giving hope to those lost in their searches for comfort and love. He promises that another will come to baptize them in the Holy Spirit.

As I meditate, awaiting my own transformation, I know my journey will be blessed. I know that my soul is everlasting in God’s Holy Creation.

 © Russell Kendall Carter

Flight, silence, and peace. This is what Jesus preached when he said to go into your quiet space and pray. When we pray, when we meditate, we must stop the interior dialogue that oppresses our minds. We are bombarded each morning with constant noise, constant voices giving us information, telling us of the murders in our cities. We have to get away from this static and bury ourselves in the mind of God that dwell within us. True peace, as with true hope, lies within us. It is a gift of our loving God.

We are surrounded by images of suffering all around the world. We are bombarded by the misfortunes and tragedies of the peoples in third-world countries that society has left behind. As troublesome and disturbing as these images and reminders of Humanity’s disregard of God’s word. As sinful as these are, when we pray, we must flee, be silent, and be at peace when we open our hearts to God’s words. Our silence is our source of strength in prayer.

Gracious, Loving God, as we enter our quiet spaces this morning and lift up our prayers and praise to You. We open our hearts listening for Your words, feel Your compassion, and follow Your invitations to heal others.

© Russell Kendall Carter

“You gotta have heart! All ya really need is heart!”

I remember those lyrics from the song “Heart” in the 1958 production of Damn Yankees. It was a pop-tune back then, and I sang it often, but how true it was then and how true it is now.

Every morning in my wake-up prayers, I pray that we can strengthen our hearts to do God’s will on earth. In this season of Advent, we pray for transformation; we pray for the enlightenment of our leaders to offer a kinder, caring world. If we keep our hearts open, we hear God’s voice inviting us to opportunities to serve, to heal, to comfort, those in need.

We are blessed by this invitation.

© Russell Kendall Carter

Praise the Lord; how many times have I heard that. It sounds just like a good luck charm. What a shame! My idea of praising the Lord is manifold.

Primarily, I accept what St. Paul says when he says that Jesus himself is peace. This is the first concept we have to accept if we want to offer praise. Be peaceful; peace in all we do. Peace for all humanity and all of God’s creation.

Next, we must bow down and worship, kneeling (if possible) before the Lord our creator. Silent prayer is what I believe God listens to the most. My prayers are silent; I ask for nothing; after giving thanks for a new life each morning, I let my mind be absorbed by God’s presence within me. I let God speak to me in prayer. This is a powerful way to pray.

Finally, when praying in church, synagogue, or temple, sing (or chant) a song to God. Singing God’s song is one of the greatest way group prayer works. In my Episcopal church, the psalms we sing are praises to and not requests from God. God listens; God Loves; God loves our songs and chants to Him. In the songs and chants, God reassures us of His promises and His Grace and Care for us.

Praise the Lord – shh – Praise the Lord.

Amen.

© Russell Kendall Carter

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds us to let our lights shine among all people; then He says to glorify God. This is my daily prayer. What do I need to hope for when God’s Love is all around? This prayer liberates God’s creation from man’s tendency to bring decay to the earth and with the promise to God’s children to bring freedom and glory to celebrate His glorious rebirth to our world.

Glorious God, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of your Son, open all our hearts to the holiness of Your creation. We praise Your presence with us always. Allow us to share your salvation with all humanity. As it is said, “God in front of you, God behind you, God above you, God within you.” Our vision is that the entire world is Your sacred creation.

Dear God, my one more prayer is not a request or a thank you. It is a blessing for others. My all humanity feel the blessed love of God as I do.

© Russell Kendall Carter

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds us to let our lights shine among all people; then He says to glorify God. This is my daily prayer. What do I need to hope for when God’s Love is all around? This prayer liberates God’s creation from man’s tendency to bring decay to the earth and with the promise to God’s children to bring freedom and glory to celebrate His glorious rebirth to our world.

Glorious God, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of your Son, open all our hearts to the holiness of Your creation. We praise Your presence with us always. Allow us to share your salvation with all humanity. As it is said, “God in front of you, God behind you, God above you, God within you.” Our vision is that the entire world is Your sacred creation.

© Russell Kendall Carter