A reading from the Prophet Ezekiel:
When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When they moved, the others moved; when they stopped, the others stopped; and when they rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
Holy Wisdom, Holy Word
Thanks be to God
Each petition ends with God of life,
and you respond “Hear our Prayer”
Let us pray,
Present in a world groaning under the excesses of consumption we acknowledge the inherent goodness of non-motorized human powered transportation and give thanks for the simple beauty of the bicycle. God of life,
Hear our prayer.
Present in a community filled with children we pray for those learning to ride. Keep them smart, safe and visible on their neighborhood roads. God of life,
Hear our prayer.
Present in a community filled with strife we pray for the victims of road rage, and bike theft. And we ask for the strength to forgive mean people. God of life,
Hear our prayer.
Present in a world of work we pray for those who build, repair and clean our bikes and those who rely on bicycles to earn their living. Bless those who choose to not drive to work and those for whom driving isn’t even an option. God of life,
Hear our prayer.
Present in a community of beautiful diversity we ask your protection and blessing on all who ride; Pedi cabbies, weekend warriors, athletes, homeless folks, students, children, eco-warriors, bike co-op anarchists, messengers and all the others who take to the Denver streets, bike paths, parks and mountains. Keep us safe as we ride. God of life,
Hear our prayer.
We now observe a moment of silence for all who have died while riding…
God of life,
Hear our prayer.
AMEN
Now receive this blessing and bless one another by repeating each phrase after me as we bless you with water and incense:
May the road rise to meet you….. May the wind be ever at your back. ….May all your journeying be joyous. …. And until we meet again ….may God hold you…. and your bicycles….. in the palm of God’s hand.
Go in peace and safety.
Amen.
This is great on so many levels. Thanks.
Posted by: Tucker | May 20, 2009 at 02:32 PM
That is just a beautiful idea. So glad to feel like I participated by reading your narrative.
Love the jeans and collar shirt too--I'm all for being more informal--we are after all, all of us saint and sinner. Sometimes people forget that about clergy.
Posted by: angela | May 21, 2009 at 06:09 PM
An Episcopal Priest friend posted about this- this is an AWESOME idea!! I've bike commuted myself, as have parishoners, and many of us have a close call or actual hit story.
What a great ritual! I love the commemoration moment, and the prayers for the bike shop. I also love the jeans and clergy shirt! I'm the Episcopal version of that, but without the sleeve...!
Posted by: Betsy T | May 28, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Thank you, what a special kiss on the cheek from Jesus. As a bike comuter and follower of Jesus, I will rest in this. Mike
Posted by: Mike MacDomald | May 30, 2009 at 07:29 PM
Now how good is this?
I shared this with my Senior Pastor.
I love what you did.
Posted by: Abi Carlisle-Wlke | June 02, 2009 at 11:55 AM
How does one find a t-shirt with a 'Blessing of the Bicycles' poster pictured on the front?
Posted by: Derb | July 26, 2009 at 08:47 AM