Opening Light Meditation
Picture the quality of a clear, yellow sunlight, such as you might notice in the early morning, shining through the leaves of a nearby stand of trees. Then, over the course of a full minute, imagine that same quality of sunlight streaming into your body from just above the head, steadily filling the body with light from the soles of the feet, up through the legs, filling the chest, the arms, shoulders, neck and head with light.
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 Lady Wisdom
Ecclesiasticus 24: 1–7, 19–21
Wisdom praises herself,
and tells of her glory in the midst of her people.
In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth,
and in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory:
“I came forth from the mouth of the Most High,
and covered the earth like a mist.
I dwelt in the highest heavens,
and my throne was in a pillar of cloud.
Alone I compassed the vault of heaven
and traversed the depths of the abyss.
Over waves of the sea, over all the earth,
and over every people and nation I have held sway
Among all these I sought a resting place;
in whose territory should I abide?
“Come to me, you who desire me,
and eat your fill of my fruits.
For the memory of me is sweeter than honey,
and the possession of me sweeter than the honeycomb.
Those who eat of me will hunger for more,
and those who drink of me will thirst for more.”
A Prayer from Marguerite of Oingt, French Mystic
Jesus, are you not my mother? Are you not even more than my mother? My human mother after all labored in giving birth to me for only a day or a night. But you, my tender and beautiful Lord, labored for me over thirty years … Oh with what measureless love you labored for me!
Time of Reflection and Prayer for the Influence of Lady Wisdom
Take a moment to identify a matter concerning which you need wisdom—a creative way forward that may not be obvious, the sort of thing that comes, when it comes, in a moment of intuition, a way through a thicket that wasn’t obvious at first, but turns out to be liberating. After you simply identify the situation or concern for which you need wisdom, try this: picture it as a puzzle, a knot that needs untangling by an expert, or a Rubik’s cube waiting to be solved by nimble hands. Don’t try to solve it yourself, simply picture yourself holding it in your hands, and lifting it up toward Lady Wisdom for her help in due time.
O Divine Wisdom, Sophia, you call to us from the streets, inviting us into your house to feast from your table of delights, may we be a resting place for you even as you are a resting place for us. We who lack wisdom, ask for your assistance in due time, Amen.
Prayer for Loved Ones
During this time, simply name your loved ones, accepting each as they are today, and holding them in love before the light and love of God.
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.
Benediction
Go in peace, wash your hands, love your neighbor, you are not alone.