International Conscientious Objection Day

 

Anti-draft demonstration 1971 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Religion News Service

May 15 is International Conscientious Objection Day.

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

Rock Mass - 05-04-2025

Rock Mass

Rock Mass - May 2025

I waited patiently for the Lord;

    he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

    out of the mud and mire;

He set my feet on a rock

    and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,

    a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lord

    and put their trust in him.

Blessed is the one

    who trusts in the Lord,

who does not look to the proud,

    to those who turn aside to false gods.

Many, Lord my God,

    are the wonders you have done,

    the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you;

    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,

    they would be too many to declare.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—

    but my ears you have opened—

    burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—

    it is written about me in the scroll.

 I desire to do your will, my God;

    your law is within my heart.”

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;

    I do not seal my lips, Lord,

    as you know.

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;

    I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.

I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness

    from the great assembly.

Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;

    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

(Psalm 40:1-11)

Peace, Love, and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

The inspiration for creating "Rock Mass" came from the Rock Mass at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena California back in the early 1970’s. On the first Friday night of each month All Saints held a Rock Mass which was a mix of traditional Episcopalian Mass and rock concert. A live band would play popular rock music which couldn’t necessarily be called “Christian” but contained spiritual phrases and references to God or Jesus. During the 1960’s and early 1970’s there was an explosion of these songs coming out of the "secular" music industry way before there was “Contemporary Christian Music”, in a way, it could be called "The Gospel According To Billboard's Top 10".

(Stained glass guitar angel found at www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber)

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