The Greek philosopher Heraclitus wrote that no one can step into the same river twice as a metaphor for continuous change in our lives. In the same way, despite repeating the lyrics and often the tunes of the liturgy each Sunday, the meaning can still be different for each of us and can change dramatically from week to week.
A few weeks ago, my undergraduate college advisor passed away. He was a philosopher and a wonderful teacher, who inspired a group of students on our journey through the Western Canon in St. Olaf's Great Conversation program. His final weeks inspired a poem on his Caringbridge website, and more than anything else I could say here it is a tribute to him and to the power of the simple words of the liturgy to carry immense meaning for our daily lives:
From the land of the living
From the bedside of hospice
From the foot of the cross
...every moment precious...
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy
While many are decrying how social media is disrupting modern life, examples like Caringbridge show us that God's work changes to fit the times.
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