There is Only Home
We’ve released worship music videos with lyrics for each song on the “Speak Boldly” album by Jenny LaJoye. You can find these worship music videos on our Juniper Formation YouTube Channel, and more easily in this “Speak Boldly” YouTube Playlist.
Each week during our Lenten journey we will highlight a worship video and offer accompanying ritual, scripture, and prayer for you to engage at home by yourself, with your household, or in congregational worship.
Artist’s Songwriting Reflection
I originally wrote "There is Only Home" for my friend Matthew David Morris' podcast, "Lectio Musica." The set of lectionary readings he gave me were Jeremiah 23:3-4, Psalm 23, and Ephesians 2:13-20. I got the sense when reading these scriptures together that there was a movement from being "far-off" and "scattered" to being brought close—Home. So I wrote this song that acts as a sort of meditation on the concept of "home," meant especially for those moments when we feel the furthest away from comfort and peace.
This is the first sacred song I'd really ever written for community use. And it's the first sacred song Rev. Dr. Jenny Whitcher ever heard from me. It ultimately inspired her to ask me to create the rest of this album, in partnership with Juniper Formation.
Scripture: Jeremiah 23:3-4, Restoration after Exile
And God said, woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any sheep be missing.
Ephesians 2:13-20, One in Christ
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For Christ is our peace; in Christ’s flesh both groups are made into one and the dividing wall, the hostility between us, has been broken down. Christ has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that a new humanity might be created in Christ. Thus making peace that might reconcile both of us in one body to God through the cross, putting to death that hostility. So Christ came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through Christ both of us have access in one Spirit to God. So then you are no longer strangers and immigrants, but you are citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
“There is Only Home” Lyrics
There is only Home. (x4)
There is no far, only near.
No stray stranger there.
All are dear. All are here.
There is only Home.
There is only Home.
There is only Home. (x4)
No one too far to be held close.
No scarred, scattered sheep.
All are healed. All are home.
There is only Home.
There is only Home.
I am Home.
I am Home.
When I’m wandering. (I am Home.)
When I’m hungry. (I am Home.)
When I’m far beyond my reach. (I am Home.)
When I’m dirty, when I’m clean. (I am Home.)
When you’re wandering. (I am Home.)
When you’re hungry. (I am Home.)
When you think you’re out of reach. (I am Home.)
You are clean. You are clean.
I am Home.
There is only Home. (I am Home.)
There is only Home.
Ritual: Becoming Home Together
Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility; Cesar Chavez Day; the last day of Women’s History Month—on this note, let’s remember Dolores Huerta organizing partner of Chavez; and the first week of the Chauvin trial. All different ways in which we remember, bring awareness to, and seek justice for both the inherent worth of and oppression of God’s children, whether we are transgender, migrant farm workers, laborers, women, or African Americans.
In the Christian calendar it is Holy Wednesday, a day that highlights the extreme tensions of being in relationship with one another and God. As Jesus and the disciples gathered around the table at Simon’s house, in an act of love Mary anointed Jesus’ head and feet with expensive oil of spikenard. Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot in an act of betrayal went to the Sanhedrin who were plotting Jesus' demise and offered to sell Jesus out to them for silver.
Acts of love and betrayal are ways in which we relate to one another and God, even if we don’t like to admit to the betrayal part. Such disparate actions in tension as we navigate what love really means. Sometimes in our attempts at love we unintentionally cause harm others out of fear, pain, jealousy, greed, power, and trauma.
Jesus reminds us that there is always space for forgiveness. And also, for our own safety and the safety of others, there are times we must separate from one another. For these times, “Christ is our peace.”
Becoming home together, as “saints and members of the household of God,” requires us to follow the way of Christ so that a “new humanity might be created in Christ.”
As you listen to “There is Only Home” (see video above) reflect on what becoming home together in Christ means for you.
Whether you have loving and healthy relationships with your biological family or not, you can choose the way of Christ—choose how you accept, live, and share the love of God with one another.
We invite you to consider those people in your life who:
- Have made you feel seen
- Are friends from childhood, work, summer camp, school, hobbies, etc.
- Show up during life transitions, like birth and death
- Have been teachers and mentors
- Have shown you love in moments when you felt unlovable
- Offered forgiveness and grace
- You have struggled to love
- You have intentionally avoided and refused to understand in their fullness
- You have neglected to love
As you remember and identify all of these individuals, reflect on how we are becoming home in Christ together—including the joys and the struggles of learning how to love one another.
Reflective Invitation
We invite you to journey through Lent by drawing closer to God and one another by deepening your spiritual practices and awareness.
In becoming home in Christ together, for you personally:
- When is loving someone easy? Why?
- When is loving someone a struggle? Why?
Blessing
No matter how far you may wander,
You are never too far to be near to Christ;
You are never too far to be held close; and
You are never too far to experience healing.
We are becoming home together in Christ’s Peace.
Amen.
Support the artist and buy the “Speak Boldly” album online, here.
We invite you to make an offering today. An offering is a way we share with one another in support of the whole, and as a loving act of co-creating a new way of being together and with God as we prophetically reimagine the Church.
For all of the ways you give your spirit, heart, gifts, talents, and resources, we thank you.
