麻豆社

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Julia Loveless

Good morning.

The desiderata is a piece of prose poetry published by Max Ehrman in 1927. Though it was written almost 100 years ago, it offers incredibly fitting challenges to my life today. It begins: 鈥済o placidly amid the noise and the haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.鈥� In this, I hear echoes of Jesus鈥� teaching and His way of life; often stealing away to "a quiet place to pray鈥� or in teaching those explosive words: 鈥渓ove your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.鈥� How could I, today, take a step towards silence and solitude - despite the constant, enticing call of my phone, to do lists and my self-focussed goals. To breathe in the stillness and allow myself to be invited into a bigger, kinder perspective.

How could I allow my relationships to be challenged - to move my heart towards my enemies and those I find hardest to love? Perhaps it is as simple as taking 10 minutes on the bus-commute to put down the phone and pray for others. Perhaps it involves choosing to walk home instead of getting a taxi or to stand in the longest queue at the supermarket; deliberately allowing my choices to slow my pace and fight the constant need for hustle and haste.

God; lead me in your ways - show me the peace found in silence and the gift of reconciliation with my fellow man. As Paul the apostle commended us; if possible, so far as it depends on me, help me 鈥渢o live peaceably with all鈥�.

Amen.