Holy Bible, Cycle I, 2025, 5'x 4' silver gelatine contact print, 5'x9'10'' handmade paper, made from one entire Bible (Holy Bible NIV (New International Version)) and rain water to a single sheet, site specific fleeting installation at Ashburnham Place, East Sussex.
Dear Holy Comforter,
This past week, as I was meditating on Philippians 3:1–16 and its reminder that we are saved by grace, not by any human credential, I kept thinking about a prayer that meant a lot to me when I was a new mom. I was moving away from a career that had defined my identity and given me a sense of belonging, and trying to figure out who I was apart from it. Discovering who I was in Christ, apart from any human credential, felt especially vulnerable and complicated living in a city where we are encouraged to measure ourselves and others by our wealth, education, and influence.
I think that’s part of why I return to this prayer again and again. It reminds me how easily I look to other people’s approval, or to the things I accomplish, to tell me I am valued. And how patiently, Jesus invites me to discover that my life is already held in his love. The more I learn to rest in that love, the freer I become to love others without needing to prove myself.
As we head into All Saints’ Sunday, I’m thinking about how we spend a lifetime learning to live in the love that God has already given us. This Sunday, we’ll celebrate the baptisms of Maggie and Esther, welcoming them into the household of faith. There is something beautiful about welcoming children, who already have such a profound capacity to receive and trust love, into a community that will help them grow in the knowledge of God’s love for them. And perhaps they have something to teach us, too, as we keep learning to receive that love ourselves.
I’ll also be taking some extended time off from November 2 to December 1 to rest, reflect, and spend time with my family. Amy and other clergy from Incarnation will be looking after things while I’m away, and I’m grateful to them. I’m looking forward to coming back as we enter Advent together.
I wanted to share this prayer with you in case it speaks to something in your own life, too.
Litany of Humility
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being slandered, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, O Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. Amen.
With much love,
Katie
