Opening Breath Meditation
Take a few moments, as long as you like, to rest your attention on the breath—the sensation of the air entering the body, and the sense of the body softening as you exhale. As soon as you notice that your thoughts have wandered, gently return your focus to the sensation of the breath.
The Sarum Prayer
God be in my head—and in my understanding
God be in my eyes—and in my looking
God be in my mouth—and in my speaking
God be in my heart—and in my thinking
God be at my end—and at my departing
Words of the Followers Portion
Romans 5: 5
…and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
Reflection
The events around the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus were understood as something of the future age—or better said, the age beyond our space-time frame—breaking into our present. The people of Israel had always nurtured this hope, represented by the holy of holies in the temple, a place on earth in time that was beyond this world and beyond time— the ultimate “thin spot.” No surprise then that the Jesus faith emphasized hope, the anticipation of a future good, in a sense already present in seed form. And the sign of this future good was the love of God poured into our hearts.
Our participation in love—our experience of being loved, our care for others, even our desire to love and be loved—can be understood as love from God coursing through our hearts through the Holy Spirit. And it’s meant as an indication that we can have hope in God and this hope is worth betting on, that it won’t disappoint us.
A Visualization Meditation
Begin by calling to mind the quality of light—a warm, translucent, yellow light such as we notice in sunlight streaming around us in the morning, say. Then imagine that same quality of light as a pinpoint of light, a small dot of light in the middle of the body. Notice as the point of light slowly expands in every direction until it is a small orb of light, say the size of a pearl or a marble…then watch as the light continues to expand, encompassing the body and the space immediately around the body…Notice as the light eventually fills the entire room…and beyond any walks to the area outside, an expanding sphere of light…extending out as far as you care to imagine.
Prayer for Divine Perception
O Divine Wisdom, who dwells within the holy of holies, that realm beyond space and time, and whose light shines through all things created, fill our hearts, O blessed One, with the hope of a blessed future. Amen.
Prayer for Loved Ones
Take in and release a few deep breaths, as you name your loved ones, not seeking to change any of them with this form of prayer, but simply holding them in the light of God, for God’s blessing.
Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
Gratitude Practice
Allow yourself to feel gratitude, appreciation, or delight, for three things, small or big, whatever comes to mind.
Prayer of Invocation
Come, Holy Spirit, ever one
With God the Mother and the Son,
Send forth your overflowing grace
And with your love our souls embrace.
Benediction
So have a blessed day: go in peace, wash your hands, love your neighbor—you are not alone!