anam ċara

A Friendship Blessing by John O’Donohue
page 32 – 25th Anniversary Edition of anam ċara

“May you be blessed with good friends.
May you learn to be a good friend to yourself.
May you be able to journey to that place in your soul where
there is great love, warmth, feeling, and forgiveness.
May this change you.
May it transfigure that which is negative, distant, or cold in you.
May you be brought in to the real passion, kinship, and affinity of belonging.
May you treasure your friends.
May you be good to them and may you be there for them;
may they bring you all the blessing, challenges, truth,
and light that you need for your journey.
May you never be isolated.
May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your anam ċara.“

“anam ċara” is an old Irish Gaelic phrase meaning “soul friend.” It’s a concept rooted in Celtic spirituality, referring to a deep, spiritual bond between two people, who care for one another on a spiritual journey.

This week, I was reintroduced to this concept. With gratitude, I received the O’Donohue’s book and a note reminding me of how special these types of relationships are in our lives. I think about these few people in my life outside of my given family who have become familiy. These are the people I trust, that I am authentic with, and that treat me with the same values of trust and authenticity.

I want this to be a common experience for those in the Church. This is not the easy, everything is rose colored glasses relationship. This is a real connection to body, mind and spirit that is wrapped up in grace, forgiveness, kindness, mercy, and love. I want the Church to be a catalyst for these life changing relationships among us as God’s beloved creation. I believe that when we intentionally set out to make these types of connections, we are revealing the best that a life with Jesus Christ has to offer.

This morning, I am preaching on some of my story in relationship to Mark 4:35-41 which is Jesus calming the storm. This time around, I am preaching on the importance of realizing that God is awesome. My favorite verse says something like “who is this that even the wind and waves obey him!”

I am in awe of God for so very much! For my people, thank you God for those life-changing relationships. For my churches, what a blessing it is to lead people in their own journeys of faith and life. Today, “my people” grows abundantly as I meet our new church folks here in St. Pauls. For my communities, I pray that you alway see the church for what it could be in the kingdom of God. We are not a perfect bunch (even if we pretend to be.) I strive to lead by example, and expect my staff and my congregation members to do the same. I want to be the church that can answer YES when asked, “Are you really who you say you are?”

Prayers welcomed for these new connections. Prayers welcomed for these new relationshiops formed. Prayers lifted here for you.