Hi everyone,

Last night was another great Dayspring worship gathering.  The night was dark and wet as Autumn deepens and we move towards the Winter season. Kara and Mary Anne had gone home with their families.  Tom had gone to Church street for supper and so it was just myself, Mike Ricci, John Bloss and George our support worker around our table last night.  There was a quietness around our table without the usual chatterboxes.  We picked up Elizabeth, a core member from Corner house and headed out for coffee/tea at Tim Horton's before heading out to Dayspring.

Thee was a sense of something different in the air this night and everyone was commenting on it.  The chapel which is more of a hustle and bustle was more quiet and empty with the weather.  Then again L'Arche time set in as people arrived a little late.  This night we celebrated Eucharist in the Anglican tradition with Wendy Lywood.  I was asked along with Mike Ricci to ring the bell as we began our prayer together.  I was excited to be a part of this tradition at Dayspring. Mike took my arm and as invited we made our way down the long corridor past some late arrivals. I was taken by the silence as we left and as we entered down the corridor before leaving the building and arriving at the bell tower.  I opened the door and entered in looking up and finding the rope passed it to Mike.  He was grabing with one hand and pulling and the bellbegan to chime signalling the call to prayer.  We left the bell tower and my heart was beating faster after this wondrous experience.  As we entered the chapel, we heard the sounds of the opening song "The Summons" which I learned while in Sackville, NB while at St. Vincent's parish and love deeply.  There is a sense of longing in the song, of seeing the needs of the world and the invitation along with the waiting for the one who hears the song to choose wether or not to answer.

The gospel tonight was the story of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar.  I had heard this story differet times but really heard it with new ears tonight.  Wendy who preached spoke of Bartimaeus coming from Jericho, the lowest city on earth being next to the Dead Sea (lowest place on earth) meeting Jesus on his way to Jerusalem (a city high up in Israel).  She pondered that maybe Mark the gospel writer, wated people to know that Bartimaeus felt the lowest among low seeking something higher.  And so the dialogue between him and Jesus was his crying out and desiring to move from where he was. He is brought to Jesus an throws of his cloak. The story continues with Jesus asking him what he desires and his response is his sight. He receives this and follows Jesus.

I was touched by her homily as her words touched my own story.  My own heaviness, my own pain this year had me crying out, trying to reach out.  I threw off my own cloak in leaving the parish grouping for this sabbatical.  I left behind all security of parish life, of what I knew to throw myself before the master. And so Jesus asks me "Jeff, What do you want?" I seek peace of heart, direction in my life journey. I know reaching out and being willing to follow will help me to "see" as Bartimaeus did.

Many people live such difficult moments in their lives. And if we dare reach out our hands, cry out, God will bless us with people who will dare take our roads and stop and offer friendship, healing. I know that this year, I am Bartimaeus on the road.  I am open to those who will walk the road with me.  Do you dare take the road, shed the cloak that keeps you down, seeking what you need from the one who can give it to you?

Until next time!

Jeff