Daily Meditation: May 27, 2020

by Elaine Haney on May 27, 2020

Let brotherly love continue and keep on loving one another as brothers. - Hebrews 13:1


I am the proud mother of three sons. My middle son had a brain injury at birth and has had a developmental disability, autism, and refractory epilepsy throughout his 41 year life. He has achieved much success in life and a great deal of credit goes to his brothers. They both live close by and their love and support for their brother is inspirational. They look beyond his imperfections and celebrate his strong and pure heart, his willingness to accept everyone he meets, and the childlike joy with which he views life. He rarely faces a challenge that he can’t conquer.

Due to his cognitive difficulties, Jason doesn’t have a world view of life but has funny expressions that we embrace. In this uncertain time when we are all asked to live our baptismal covenant “to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being”, I am reminded of this brotherly love. Our Trinity head of school, Father Gary Taylor would call his brothers “Upstanders” (they both attended Trinity School), and Father Andy Thayer would call them “Easter people”. I frequently listen to the voice of Al Green, singing “He ain’t Heavy, he’s my brother” in a playlist on my phone. This could have been written for my family and particularly for this time that we are experiencing so many challenges in the world around us. At some point in our lives, most of us have needed to be carried by someone and we probably carried someone else.

Musical Reflection He Ain't Heavy - Al Green

O heavenly Father, you have filled the world with beauty:
Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. - BCP 814