BY: RON HAMEL, Ph.D.
CALL TO PRAYER
Leader
Creator God, God of changing seasons, of shorter days and longer
nights, of gray skies and brisk winds, of fallen leaves and faded flowers,we
gather this day in your name, mindful of the seasons of our lives and of our
organization, mindful of the passing of time and of the shortness of time in
which to plant the seeds and harvest the fruit of your Kingdom. Be with us this
day. Heighten our awareness of the abundance of gifts and opportunities you
have given us to carry out your healing work in this world. Strengthen our commitment
to take the fullest advantage of the precious but ever-fleeting time you have
given us so that the harvest of our lives and that of our organization will
be abundant. We ask this in faith. Amen.
READING
In the autumn of our lives, our experiences are harvested. Aging is not merely
about the body losing its poise, strength, and self-trust. Aging also invites
us to gather lost moments and experiences, bring them together, and hold them
as one. In this way, we unify ourselves and achieve a new strength, poise, and
belonging that was never available to us when we were distractedly rushing through
our days. Wisdom is often associated with the harvest time of life. That which
is scattered has no unity; that which is gathered comes home to unity and belonging.
Wisdom is a way of linking the whole of life together in a new and deeper unity.
Older people are great treasure-houses of wisdom.
REFLECTION
What seeds am I planting today to be harvested later in my life? Is there a
unity to my life that is already emerging? What seeds is our organization sowing?
What kind of harvest will they produce? How do I personally make use of the
time, resources, and opportunities I have today for a future harvest? How do
we as an organization make use of the time, resources, and opportunities we
have today for a future harvest? What holds the life of our organization together?
CLOSING PRAYER
Reader
For all that we have, for all that we have had, for all that
we will have, for what we are, for what we have been, for what we can be, for
what we will be, as individuals and as an organization,
All
We thank you, bountiful God.
Reader
Let the darkening days, the chill of a fall night, and the
smell of fallen leaves remind us of the changing of seasons and the passing
of time — the changing of our seasons and the passing of our time.
Grant us the wisdom to not take the precious gift of time for granted or any
of the many other gifts you have given us. Awaken in us a keen sense of how
short is the time in which to sow the seeds of a bountiful harvest.
All
We ask this in your name. Amen.
Suggested Music
"People of the Night," by David Haas, Gather, GIA Publications, Chicago.
"Wind Upon the Waters," by Marty Haugen, Gather, Gia Publications,
Chicago.
"City of God," by Dan Schulte, Gather, GIA Publications, Chicago.
Sources
John O'Donohue, Anam Cara, HarperCollins, New York, 1998.
Edward Hays, Feathers on the Wind, Forest of Peace Publishing, Leavenworth,
Kansas, 1995.
Lyn Klug, editor, All Will Be Well, Augsburg, Minneapolis, 1998.
Ted Loder, Wrestling the Light, LuraMedia, San Diego, 1991.
Ron Hamel, PhD, is senior director,
Ethics, Catholic Health Association, St. Louis.