2003-01-30 
 

calm

Last night G and I went to Taize at Trinity Church. Haven't been to a service in a very long time and allowed myself to forget how soothing it is. I let it seem as if it's a very hard thing to do; carving an extra hour or so out of our busy lives in order to go. The truth is that my reluctance to plan a visit has much more more to do with my negative associations with Church as a place of intolerance and rigid conformity to human law, than from some hidden desire to avoid communal spiritual experiences and acknowledge the universal truth that all you need is love.

It was so peaceful last night, sitting in the candlelit sanctuary and chanting along with the other folks who had gathered there. I especially love that it's an experience I can share with G and I'm making a special point of having us do it again soon, instead of waiting as long as we did this time.

Addendum: Last night's service included a wonderful translation of the Lord's Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer of New Zealand. Internet rumor has it that it's a translation of the original King James version into Maori and then back into English. I know, I'm a hopeless romantic, but I liked that story and would let it stand. However, I'm also a writer who respects ownership and it could also be attributed to Jim Cotter. Prayer at Night by Jim Cotter, Cairns Publications, Sheffield, England

Eternal Spirit

Earth-Maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all.
Loving God, in whom is heaven.

The hallowing of your name echoes through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the earth!

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and test, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever.

Amen.

More cool versions, and the alternate attribution for the above, written out here. I like them all.

* posted by me at 8:47 PM

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