Often, when I go for my hour of Perpetual Adoration on Friday, there’s already someone there — a little Vietnamese gal who spends so much time in the chapel, I’ve dubbed her “the lady who lives there.” She is a devout soul, spending hours on her knees. But the other week, she actually sat down and nodded off. I have no doubt that she woke full of self-recriminations, but I wanted to tell her not to. It struck me that there might not be a better place to rest than in God’s own presence.
“Stay awake,” said Christ
but surely he knew
how bodies give out, go limp,
sag as if in a warm bath
feeling secure, safe,
safer here than anywhere, ever,
before his presence in monstrance
and wafer.
To sleep before the Lord
is the sweetest of sleep.
The sleep of angels.
The sleep of saints.
Under God’s watchful eye
the soul and body rest,
ready to rise — like bread,
like spirit, like new day breaking.
Have a peaceful Christmas everyone!
5 comments
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December 23, 2016 at 11:15 pm
rhcwilliams
“..ready to rise — like bread,
like spirit, like new day breaking.”
Mercy!
This is a gift.
December 24, 2016 at 12:14 am
loristrawn
Merry Christmas, Ruthie dear.
December 24, 2016 at 5:00 pm
calensariel
I can attest to the fact that sleeping in church is ok. We sit in the pew three rows back every Sunday, and not ONCE has Gary stopped to wake me up when I fell asleep during the sermon! 😉 Have a very Merry Christmas, my friend!!!
December 24, 2016 at 5:11 pm
loristrawn
Merry Christmas, Lady Calen!
December 24, 2016 at 8:07 pm
Visionariekind
beautiful