“At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh nor fleshless; Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is, …” —T.S. Eliot from Burnt Norton, Four Quartets

If you were to ask me to name the primary force shaping the conversation of our world today, I would say fear. No matter the topic or media outlet, it’s pretty easy to think that the world is going to hell in a hand basket.

Before we engage our hearts and minds in our world, we need to start from the beginning, turning our gaze from what lies in our immediate view to what is good and true. The world we know begins in God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The quote from T.S. Eliot reminds us that, no matter the latest news briefing, at the heart of our chaotic lives there is a still center of beauty–the dance of the Holy Trinity working to create, redeem and sustain us. Like the vanishing point in a painting, if we attend to that single point, all the angles of our lives will be true. So let’s spend this week reminding ourselves on what is good and true about God, our families, our friends, churches, neighborhoods and wider communities, our country and our world.

Scripture Readings

• Genesis 1:1 – 2:3.
• John 1:1-5
• I John 4:13-19
• Romans 8:5-6

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ out Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. _{Book of Common Prayer, Collect for Proper 17}

Part 1 of the Come Pray with Me Series