The ordinary miracles begin. Somewhere
a signal arrives: “Now,” and the rays
come down. A tomorrow has come. Open
your hands, lift them: morning rings
all the doorbells; porches are cells for prayer.
Religion has touched your throat. Not the same now,
you could close your eyes and go on full of light.
from Today by William Stafford
Sunrise is my favorite time of day. Each summer, when I go on my weeklong, silent retreat, I follow the daily practice of rising early enough to watch the sun slowly rise up from the eastern horizon. I love each layer of sunrise: from the still-night darkness with just a hint of yellow-pink on the farthest horizon, to an expanding watercolor wash of pink, peach and lilac spreading over the entire sky and ocean. And finally the brilliant orange wedge of light rising slowly into the day, over rooftops and trees. And me!
As my retreat progresses, I slowly begin to move more in step with the deeper rhythms of my body and spirit. I am being restored. As William Stafford writes above, "you could close your eyes and go on full of light," I am once again God's light-filled child, reverent and playful.
Psalm 51:15 says: "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit."
Life in this world can tug and tear at our minds, bodies and spirits, fraying our edges, leading us to cling to things that seem to offer what feels like peace and fulfillment, but which are not ultimately life-giving -- including multitasking, overconsumption of processed foods or alcohol, scrolling mindlessly on social media, bingeing on Netflix.
One purpose of fasting at Lent is to help us recognize and let go of these "false gods," so that we can know the true God of our heart's desire.
Jesus' wilderness journey helped prepare him for his coming ministry, and highlighted the things that might tempt him. As we move through Lent our efforts at fasting can reveal our own personal temptations. Many years ago I shared with a minister colleague that I was failing in my fasting from sugar. "That's the whole point," he goodheartedly replied. "We're supposed to fail. That's why we need God."
What matters is our longing to follow... even if we fail again and again. As the minister said, "That's the point." We may fail, but we get more and more clear about what truly restores and nourishes us. And we get another chance. Always. God's mercy never ends.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22-23, NRSV)
Song: New every morning (Porter's Gate, Taylor Leonhardt)
You are not what you have done
Or what has been done to you
You are something like the rising sun
Can't you see that you are new
You might have your father’s name
Or bear the shame he left behind
But there's new life flowing through your veins
Leave some room to be surprised
You are new every morning
You are new every morning
Each day a resurrection waiting to break through
You could try just for a start
To put the judge back on thе shelf
All the lovingkindness in your hеart
Have a little for yourself
You are new every morning
You are new every morning
Each day a resurrection waiting to break through
You are new
You think hope is lost
but it's just underground
The flame might be an ember but the fire won’t go out
All the evidence is pointing to the truth
That daily resurrection is still happening in you
You are new every morning
You are new every morning
Each day a resurrection waiting to break through
You are new
Prayer:
In her book, "Seven Sacred Pauses," Benedictine nun, Macrina Wiederkehr offers reflections for the "hours of the day" that structure the Benedictine day. Each "hour" has a theme. She calls early morning the "Awakening Hour:" a time of restoration. Below is her prayer of the hour. Perhaps you would like to pray this prayer each morning this week?
O Light of God~
Anointed by your morning light I lift my spirit to receive the gift of this new day.
Open my eyes to the beauty that surrounds me that I may walk through this day
with the kind of awareness that calls forth grateful living. In all of creation let me see the brightness of your face. Shine in my heart and on my life, filling me with joy, creativity, hope and laughter. Draw me into the radiant glory of your presence, and into the small lights of those with whom I live and work. Inspire me to take time with those who are discouraged. May I live with the kind of presence that enables others to feel at home.
Great Dawn of God, hear my prayer.
For reflection:
Where does your spirit feel frayed today?
What habits do you cling to that don't satisfy your truest longings?
What rhythms or practices could nourish and sustain you?
Could you choose one (body and/or soul) nourishing rhythm or practice this week to restore you? Keep it simple and remember - perfection is "not the point" - God's loving faithfulness is.
Resources:
William Strafford, Today, from "My Name is William Tell," Lewiston, Idaho: Confluence Press, 1992.
Macrina Wiederkehr, "Seven Sacred Pauses," Notre Dame, IN: Sorin Books, 2008, p. 59
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