Monday, March 15, 2021

Dear God,

Contemplation, a wondrous, sacred gift fashioned by your own hand.  This morning as I sat with monastics from long ago, I could not help but contemplate, to enter their story, to listen to the sounds of their faith and to whisper prayers of thanksgiving.  Their thoughts, doubts, questions, wonderings and fears became so real as I listened not only with my ears but with my spirit.  I felt myself in their own sacred space not confined by time or circumstance but rather by mystical integration.  I breathed the same air of your spirit and pondered the ways people from the present and the past can come together through contemplation.

It is true that there is a world waiting for us to enter, a world of your spirit that knows no bounds that can be entered through prayer, meditation and contemplation.  As we gather in silence (not the absence of sound but rather a profound, quiet space) we can hear the winds of your spirit moving.  I can't explain it for there are no adequate words to describe it.  At the same time it is a real place, although even that is not really accurate.  In that space one can enter into spiritual conversation with others whose longing and desire for God continue to be present in every day life.  Today I sat with Mother Teresa, St. Paul and St. Augustine.  Again, I can't fully describe or explain even what I mean.  I just know that I know that I know I was in their presence and they in mine.

Faith and contemplation are part and parcel of each other.  What is true contemplation without faith and vice versa.  They live in each other and thrive when love and longing is present.  I know I am doing a poor job explaining but you, O Lord, know because you are creator of all that is holy.

Bless you,

God of Creation.

Thank you

for this

special time

of living

in your spirit.

Thank you

for insight,

discernment

and wisdom.

You are God;

there is none

like you.

Thank you

for allowing me

to live

in you.

Love always, Andrea