Praised Be
Praised be
The inspirational word
The sounding syllable
Evoking
our inner ear.
Praised be
The bountiful vision
Of life as gift
A verdant valley
Of repose from harm.
Praised be
The light of morn
Crescent moon of night.
Praised be
The call to community
The welcoming faces
Gathered on the day.
Praised be
The rain and the sun
The wind behind our ears
And the birdsong
Among the trees.
Praised be
The ones we love
Who both hurt and heal us
With the sharing
Of our lives as one.
Praised be
Those human hurts
Hitting our hearts
By humbling us
To pour out our love.
Praised be
That love given away
Sent along roadways
Across seas and airways –
Whether they know –
It’s sent to their hearth.
Praised be
The gift of recollection
To ponder the paradox
Our lives put to us.
Praised be…
Simon C.J. Falk 19 June 2015
In the Catholic Tradition that has long been my spiritual home, Pope Francis has recently published a circular letter, or encyclical, called Laudato si’ . It relies on the spirituality of creation and of St. Francis of Assisi . Francis, saw all life and the earth as gift: interconnected and all were his brothers and sisters. Francis would often praise the goodness around him, even those things that may seem dark or painful. The verse above is inspired by the life of Francis and of Laudato si’ (which I haven’t yet finished reading!). This verse is a thankful drawing together of things and people I have recently encountered.
Share this:
Simon's still stanza 