Reprinted from the LELBP news
Yesterday a beautiful, unusual event took place: from Milwaukee, via a Zoom connection, I attended the ordination service of deacon Lilija Tenhāgena. It was led by Provost Klāvs Bērziņš in Annaberg, Germany, in the beautiful church of the Baltic Centre. I thank Archbishop emer. Elmārs Ernsts Rozītis for being present, so that together with me and the LELB Worldwide he could, ‘by the laying on of hands,’ entrust to her the holy office of deacon!
Everyone who has once been ordained or has experienced the laying on of another’s hands knows how important it is to feel it, especially when the Word of God resounds together with the laying on of hands. Thank you to all who were present and gave me the chance to be with you! May God bless the ministry of deacon Lilija Tenhāgena, which has for years brought blessing to our Church! In my address to Lilija I quoted the words of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry that she herself translated, which were printed in the 2013 Church Yearbook. Here is this beautiful and deeply thoughtful prayer in full:
Lord, I do not ask for miracles and visions,
I ask for strength for everyday life!
Teach me the art of small steps:
Make me resourceful and creative,
so that in the variety and
diversity of each day
I may note in good time the insights and
experiences
that touch me.
Give me a sure hand, so that I may rightly
apportion my time,
Give me a keen sense, so that I may understand
what is important and what is more important.
Remind me
that the heart often speaks against reason.
Send me at the right moment someone who has
the courage
to tell me the truth.
You know how much we need
friendship.
Grant that I may be equal to this
most beautiful, most difficult,
most dangerous, most gentle, and
most delicate work of life.
Grant me the necessary intuition,
so that at the right moment I may pass on —
with or without words — a little parcel of kindness.
Shape me into a person like a ship
with a deep draught, so that I may reach also those
who are in the depths of life’s hardships.
Keep me from the fear
that I might miss out on life.
Give me not what I would wish for,
but what I need!
This prayer, inspired by the Holy Spirit, seems especially fitting for this time, when autumn is approaching and, together with our congregations, we hopefully enter an ever more steady rhythm of work. I pray that God will continue to inspire us to believe that each of us has been given gifts from Him that are of use to someone! May God grant that, somewhere, somehow, at just the right moment, our works, words, and prayers may reveal His grace to someone, clothing another’s heart in Christ’s healing love and the Holy Spirit’s creative peace!
Yours,
+ Lauma Zušēvica
Photo: Tālis Rēdmanis