Whenever I visit Shrinemont, I set my alarm clock for just-before-dawn. I throw on a jacket (unless it’s mid-summer!) and head to the labyrinth. Everything is silent, except the leaves and twigs beneath my feet. Birds are just waking. Once, a deer followed me, silently. There is nothing that awakens my soul more than breathing in the day in that most peaceful and sacred of spaces. I often read this prayer…
Matins
–John O’DonohueSomewhere, out at the edges, the night
Is turning and the waves of darkness
Begin to brighten the shore of dawnThe heavy dark falls back to earth
And the freed air goes wild with light,
The heart fills with fresh, bright breath
And thoughts stir to give birth to color.I arise today
In the name of Silence
Womb of the Word,
In the name of Stillness
Home of Belonging,
In the name of the Solitude
Of the Soul and Earth.I arise today
Blessed by all things,
Wings of breath,
Delight of eyes,
Wonder of whisper,
Intimacy of touch,
Eterity of soul,
Urgency of thought,
Miracle of health,
Embrace of God.May I live this day
Compassionate of heart,
Clear in word,
Gracious in awareness,
Courageous in thought,
Generous in love.
In response to the AdventWord global advent calendar project with the Society for St. John the Evangelist. Today’s word: #WakeUp! Follow the worldwide advent calendar at: http://www.aco.org/adventword.cfm
small points of light 