We're not that long out of silence, and already this day is full of blessings. Thought I'd share them with you.
My day opened with Morning Prayer, of course (after a nice, strong cup of coffee, which is its own blessing). Today we remember St. Simon & St. Jude, and the reading for the day from Ephesians particularly struck me as wonderful and appropriate for prayer. Imagine if we were all to pray with this daily.
Ephesians 2:13-22
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.
(You can see the rest of the daily office readings here and the Eucharistic lessons here.)
As I returned from setting up the oratory for the Eucharist, I was greeted with a stunning view out the hall window as the reds of dawn began to lighten the sky and reflect off the bay. I wish I had a picture to share. I did, however, take my folding chair down to the end of the road for a time of contemplation before the Eucharist, and I took a few photos.
Another gift of this morning was celebrating the Eucharist. I have always loved communion services, and now being able to preside gives me an extra joy on those days I am assigned. And we sang a favorite hymn of mind reminding me of the greatest gift we've been given: Jesus Christ, our sure foundation and sign of God's love, embodied.
Who knows what the rest of the day will bring? We are hosting two church groups, and I hope their time with us will be a gift and blessing to them. Perhaps their day will be as good as mine has begun to be. I'll pray that this be so - and that yours be a good one as well.
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