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Praying about the flow of time: The Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels

Lynne Baab • Wednesday September 25 2024

Michaelmas daisies bloom in the fall and come in various shades of purple, pink, and white. I first heard about Michaelmas daisies in a novel set in England that I read as a young adult. At that time, I thought “Michaelmas” was an odd name for a fall-blooming daisy. I had no idea Michaelmas is a day in the church calendar, originally celebrating the archangel Michael. Later, two other archangels, Gabriel and Raphael, were added to the day.

Michaelmas is observed in Western Christianity on September 29 and on November 8 for Christians in the Eastern traditions. The suffix “mas” comes from...

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Praying about the flow of time: The Season of Creation

Lynne Baab • Tuesday September 17 2024

Sturdy, spreading oak trees. Tall evergreens. Lacy Japanese maples with hints of red and orange. Drooping flowering cherries. Spiky palms. Hillsides covered with deep green trees. An individual tree in winter, bare branches dusted with snow.

Creator God, we praise you for trees. We remember moments when trees have lifted our hearts. We also think of wood studs and joists that provide form for our dwellings, and we thank you for the beauty and utility of trees.

Oil slicks on puddles, and oil leaks into rivers and lakes. The residue left by car tires, washed by rain into streams and rivers, damaging salmon...

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Praying about the flow of time: Our Lady of Sorrows

Lynne Baab • Tuesday September 10 2024

I have been thinking a lot about sadness. My family moved 12 times in my first 15 years, and my mom was sad about the moves and affirmed my sadness as valid. Other than that, sadness was always viewed as a failure of thankfulness. I was supposed to be thankful that I wasn’t poor like my mom was in her childhood and teen years. Grateful that I had nice clothes like she didn’t have. Thankful that we could go on nice vacations like she never got to do. Grateful that I didn’t have to do farm work many hours a day...

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Praying about the flow of time: Piano month and square dancing month!

Lynne Baab • Tuesday September 3 2024

When I was six, I begged and pleaded for piano lessons. I have no idea where that desire came from. At seven, my Mom agreed I could start lessons, and I continued for many years. In the 70s and 80s, I accompanied hymns and praise songs at church and conferences, but gradually, my piano playing became a private joy. I still play hymns and praise songs, and they help me pray. I can totally get on board with September being National Piano Month. I’m trying to play the piano more often in September to celebrate this cool holiday I just learned...

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