Image: Tongues as of Fire
© Jan Richardson
Reading from the Book of Acts, Day of Pentecost: Acts 2.1-21
When We Breathe Together
A Blessing for Pentecost Day
This is the blessing
we cannot speak
by ourselves.
This is the blessing
we cannot summon
by our own devices,
cannot shape
to our own purposes,
cannot bend
to our own will.
This is the blessing
that comes
when we leave behind
our aloneness,
when we gather
together,
when we turn
toward one another.
This is the blessing
that blazes among us
when we speak
the words
strange to our ears,
when we finally listen
into the chaos,
when we breathe together
at last.
—Jan Richardson
2016 update: “When We Breathe Together” appears in my new book Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons.
P.S. For previous reflections on Pentecost, click the images or titles below.
Pentecost: One Searing Word
(includes “Pentecost Blessing”)
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Using Jan’s artwork
To use the image Tongues as of Fire, please visit this page at janrichardsonimages.com.
Using Jan’s words
For worship services and related settings, you are welcome to use this blessing without requesting permission. All that’s needed is to acknowledge the source. Please include this info in a credit line: “© Jan Richardson from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons. janrichardson.com.” For other uses, visit Copyright Permissions.
May 17, 2013 at 9:07 PM |
Oh Jan! These pieces are so full with Pentecost experience! Thank you for creating and sharing them!
May 18, 2013 at 10:07 PM |
Thank you, Linda! A blessed Pentecost to you!
May 17, 2013 at 9:08 PM |
And another of your lovely and sacred blessings!
May 18, 2013 at 3:44 PM |
“The blessing that leaves our aloneness” Powerful image.
May 18, 2013 at 10:07 PM |
Many thanks, Susan! Blessings to you this Pentecost and beyond.
May 27, 2013 at 8:56 PM |
“When we finally listen into the chaos” — what a beautiful rendering of the relief that yielding brings. Thank you!
October 26, 2015 at 2:58 PM |
Grateful for your ministry!
Met you and bought your book
In Orlando at PW Gathering 3 years ago…