Capable Flesh (Erin Jean Warde)
I admit I am having a busy week, so in lieu of a longer reflection, I offer you this poem. Plus, I'll be speaking in D.C. next week! <3
Capable Flesh
Friends,
I admit I am having a busy week, so in lieu of a longer reflection, I offer you this poem. I am out of the office next week, due to travel, and I look forward to being back in your inboxes the week of 3/11. Thank you for your patience with me! See below for info about me speaking in D.C. next week, hence the busyness now & being out of office! <3
Love y’all,
EJW
“Capable Flesh”
The tender flesh itself
will be found one day
—quite surprisingly—
to be capable of receiving,
and yes, full capable of embracing
the searing energies of God.
Go figure. Fear not.
For even at its beginning
the humble clay received
God's art, whereby
one part became the eye,
another the ear, and yet
another this impetuous hand.
Therefore, the flesh
is not to be excluded
from the wisdom and the power
that now and ever animates
all things. His life-giving
agency is made perfect,
we are told, in weakness—
made perfect in the flesh.
—St. Irenaeus (c. 125-c. 210), adapted and translated by Scott Cairns
& quoted from Barbara Brown Taylor’s An Altar in the World
🚨 NEXT WEEK 🚨
Reclaiming Our Faith: Seeking God Through Creativity — March 5, 2024 (Washington National Cathedral in Washington D.C.)
I’m so excited to be speaking at Washington National Cathedral as part of their Lenten program. If you’re in the DC area, I’d love to see you! I can’t wait to pray & explore creativity together!
Lent can be a daunting time, urging us to reflect on our shortcomings and revealing painful experiences with faith, God, the Church, and the world. Join us as we seek a deeper relationship with God and faith through creativity and the creative process. We’re invited in this season to be brave, vulnerable, and reclaim our faith through creativity. We will explore our relationship with God and faith with our guests through the mediums of visual art, music, poetry, writing, and imagination.
Please note: Register if you’d like to have dinner as part of the program. If not, you can just show up for the lecture!
Use Discerning Sobriety Course for Lent
If you observe Lent, consider being guided by my course — Discerning Sobriety — for this season. You will get an email every day for 40 days, based on when you sign up.
Maybe you want to give up alcohol for Lent — this course offers insight as you take a break from alcohol for spiritual reasons.
Maybe your Lenten discipline is just to bring mindfulness into your relationship with alcohol — this course is a great way to do that!
Maybe you have a group who wants to give alcohol up for Lent together or explore mindfulness around alcohol together — reach out and let’s discuss group rates!
If this course feels financially impossible for you right now, please respond to this email and we will figure it out. <3