Tonight's prayer is a short list of reminders about what Lent is - and what it isn't...
Some things about Lent
I need to remember, Lord:
Lent's not a marathon, contest or race:
it's a time to slow down, breathe deeply and pray...
Lent's not a test, an exam to be passed:
it's your invitation to love and be loved...
Lent's not a burden, a duty or task:
it's a break, a respite, a time to refresh...
Lent's not a season to go on a diet:
it's a time for indulging what feeds my soul...
Lent's less a time of what I do for you,
it's more for discerning what you do for me...
Lent's not a season of guilt and of shame:
it's a springtime of mercy, pardon and hope...
Lent's not a trial, a judgment or sentence:
it's a grace, it's a blessing, a healing, a gift...
Lent's not a calendar, program or course: it's an exodus, journey, a path to new life...
May my fasting lead me to prayer, O Lord;
may my prayer lead me to serve the poor
and my deeds of mercy lead me to you...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep rest in your peace...
Amen.
In searching for a song for tonight's prayer I came across two artists I've never met before: Malcolm Guite, a poet and Steve Bell, a composer. Tonight's song (The Lovely, Longed-for Blue) is Steve's musical adaptation of Malcom's poem, First Steps. In the second video below, you'll find Steve interviewing Malcolm about his poem which he also reads in its fuller, original version.
The Lovely, Longed-for Blue by
This
is the day to leave the dark behind you.
Take the adventure, step beyond the hearth.
Shake off at last, the shackles that confined you
and find the courage for the forward path.
You yearn for freedom through the long night watches
the day has come and you are free to choose
to set aside your still familiar crutches,
to step into the lovely, longed-for blue.
After the dimly burning wick of winter
that seemed to dull and darken everything,
the Lenten sun shines clear beyond your shelter,
clean as sight itself while reed birds sing
As heaven bows to kiss creation’s surface,
as light surrounds and glimmers on the dew:
you pause to pray, “the holy saints preserve us!”
and step into the lovely, longed-for blue.
Breathe deep and be renewed by what you breathe in
kin to the keen east wind and the cleansing air,
as though the blue itself were blowing through you,
as though you always knew you’d find it there.
For all you know, the aching of the ages
awaits the blessed courage of the few
that join the company of pilgrim sages
that step into the lovely longed for blue
And, here's the interview and the full poem...
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