Praying with Mary Oliver: The Journey

The JourneyOne day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice -- though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. "Mend my life!" each voice cried. But you didn't stop. You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations, though their melancholy was terrible. It was already late enough, and a wild night, and the road full of fallen branches and stones. But little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world, determined to do the only thing you could do -- determined to save the only life you could save.”― Mary Oliver

• Light a candle to remember Christ's presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying attention to the deep breath.
• As you consider Mary Oliver's meditation in poetry, scan your body.
• Notice what in you needs to be mended.
• What voices need to be left behind?
• As you let go of these things, notice God within you.
• Allow the empty space to be filled with God's love for you.
• Claim this love of new life.
• Let this love grow within you.
• Hold this love.
• Savor this love.
• Remember this love.
• Live saving love.
• Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, March 11, 2012, the Third Sunday in Lent Year B Exodus 20:1-17Psalm 94:1-141 Corinthians 1:18-25John 2:13-22If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD