Bulletin 10.29.23

Same as it ever was, same as it ever was

Same as it ever was, same as it ever was

Same as it ever was, same as it ever was

Same as it ever was, same as it ever was

- David Byrne, from the 1980 album by Talking Heads, Remain In Light 

"Hope" is the thing with feathers-

That perches in the soul-

And sings the tune without the words-

And never stops - at all-

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard-

And sore must be the storm-

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm-

I've heard it in the chillest land-

And on the strangest Sea-

Yet-never-in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me. 

–  Emily Dickenson (c. 1860) “Hope is the Thing with Feathers”

I almost think that hope is for the soul what breathing is for the living organism. Where hope is lacking the soul dries up and withers... 

–  Gabriel Marcel, Homo Viator: Introduction to the Metaphysic of Hope 

(Emma Craufurd, trans. Harper & Brothers; 1962)

Isaiah 66:1-2;  Second Chronicles  16:9a

Thus says the LORD, "Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?  For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” 

"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 

(Prayer)