Friday, June 17, 2016

Dearest God,

When faith blossoms within us, we can do nothing less than dance! This morning as we sat down for breakfast in a large conference hall at All Hallows College, an older woman asked if she could join us.  As we began to share, she revealed she had come to Dublin for a conference on sacred dance.  My heart nearly burst as we spoke about the joy of dancing for God and ourselves. 

As a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she smiled as she talked about faith, devotion, and service.  As her face was alight with love for Christ, I thought of the many sisters you have brought to me on my own pilgrimage of faith.

I remember in 1988 traveling to the USSR with the National Council of Churches for the millennial celebration of Christianity.  We were many denominations joining together to celebrate with the church of Russia and Ukraine.  Daily we worshipped with the faithful who were devout, loving, and glad particularly as they received back the relics of St. Andrew.  I will never forget the diminutive Catholic sister who broke into sacred dance to express her own joy and gratitude for longstanding faith in the midst of persecution.  I remember my own overflowing joy in the heart of worship, bringing to mind once again the way you fill our wells and then give us cause to dance.

Blessed God,
holy are you.
Thank you
for faith
that turns
to joy
and joy
that turns
to dance.
Blessed be those
who dance
for you.

Love always, Andrea