Image: Tongues as of Fire © Jan L. 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 purpose,
cannot bend
to our 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.
P.S. For previous reflections on Pentecost, click the images or titles below.
Pentecost: One Searing Word
(includes “Pentecost Blessing”)
[To use the image “Tongues as of Fire,” please visit this page at janrichardsonimages.com. Your use of janrichardsonimages.com helps make the ministry of The Painted Prayerbook possible. Thank you!]
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…