NIGHT PRAYER

God who made the world, protect you this night. Christ who redeemed the world, give you peace this night. The spirit who sustains the world, be with you this night.

Amen

From Celtic Daily Prayer

THBBBBBP! AS BILL THE CAT WOULD SAY

As I try to make sense of my confusion, I keep running across the same thing. The old "My spiritual tribe is right, and everyone else is wrong." Frankly, I find a piece here, a piece there, another piece on the other side of the river. LOL

I do still enjoy Thomas Merton. He wasn't afraid to confess his confusion in public.

FISHING IN A MEADOW

Tom Cowan echoes the tale of the meeting of King Bran of Ireland with Mannan Mac Lir in his retelling of the tale of two Irish hermits.

The first hermit left his lakeside hut early one morning and rowed out into the water in search of fish for breakfast. Perhaps he was reciting a Psalm or two or just rejoicing in the day when he looked up and spotted his neighbor. He had also left his hermitage and was coming towards him. This would not be a problem except for one small thing. The second hermit was not rowing a boat towards his neighbor; he was walking straight across the lake. They met and each regarded the other. The first hermit managed to get his synapses to start firing again and asked “what are you doing out here? The second replied “I need some flowers for my altar. What are you doing trying to row a boat across the meadow?”

The first held up his hook and line and told his neighbor he was fishing for his breakfast. The second pointed to some shrubby flowers along the shore and suggested that the fish might be biting over there. The hungry fisherman caught his breakfast and his neighbor returned dry shod to his chapel with an armful of flowers.

Creation is full of magic. Perhaps sometimes my fish filled lake turns out to be your flower filled meadow. Take the blessing for what it is.

From Yearning for the Wind by Tom Cowan.

OUR MOTHER THE EARTH

I AM YOUR MOTHER

I am your mother, do not neglect me!
Children protect me-I need your trust;
My breath is your breath, my death is your death,
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

I am your nurture; do not destroy me!
Love and enjoy me, savor my fruit;
My good is your good, my food is your food,
Water and flower, branches and root.

I am your lodging, do not abuse me!
Tenderly use me, soothing my scars;
My health is your health, my wealth is your wealth,
Shining with promise, set among stars.

The Creator is our maker, do not deny,
Challenge, defy or threaten this place.
Life is to cherish, care, or we perish!
I am your mother tears on my face.

Adapted from a prayer by Shrley Erena Murray in a UMW study guide for mom's church women's group.

AUTUMN PRAYER

The days are getting shorter; the nights longer and cooler. Morning mists and clouds soften the trees and streets. The season of reflection and preparation for the turning of the year is upon us. Some find places to reflect in the desert or mountains; others withdraw into the silence of their hearts. May they find refreshment and peace.

There are times when the spirit deserts me and my heart is empty. May the Holy Ones help rekindle the fire. May they remind me that those around me can help me keep the fires of hope burning.

I ask blessing on all who are seeking for justice, for all who suffer the laws delay: may the Holy Ones bring the gift of merciful justice to those who are innocent yet stand accused.


Inspired by Caitlin Matthews

AN AUTUMN EVENING PRAYER

Granted it takes about an hour and a half to get to the coast and another half hour or so to actually get to beach unless you want to perch on the jetty in Florence but a girl can dream, can’t she?

I mantle my soul in the mercy of creation,
Light of heaven above me,
Life of earth about me,
Love of ocean beneath me,
May the mercy of creation
Surround and encompass all beings
From fall of night
To crack of light,
In the perfection of peace.

Sovereign of the Stars,
Compassionate Queen of the Night,
I enter the refuge of sleep.

Caitlin Matthews in The Celtic Devotional

EVERY PART OF THE EARTH IS SACRED

Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the children of the earth.
Every part of the earth is sacred.

The air is precious, for all of us share the same breath.
Every part of the earth is sacred.

This we know, the earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth.
Every part of the earth is sacred.

This we know, all things are connected; like the blood that unites one family.
Every part of the earth is sacred.

Our God is the same God whose compassion is equal for all.
Every part of the earth is sacred.


We did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it.
Every part of the earth is sacred.

Whatever we do to the web we do to ourselves.
Every part of the earth is sacred for all belongs to our Creator.

David Adam in the Rhythm of Life