The Awakening

Rise,

Uncurl your body and stand erect.

Dust off

the injustices

of the past

and put on forgiveness.

Let your knees extend.

Steady your wobbly legs

and plant your feet

firmly on the ground.

May they be pillars

of strength and grace.

 

Uncover your face

and remove your hands.

Let not the veil of fear and shame

shroud the lights of mercy.

 

For the time of lamentations has passed.

The season of mourning has been lifted.

Shed your garments of black.

Array yourself in ribbons of color.

 

Cast away the stones

that made your heart heavy.

Breathe in the air of joy,

let your anxieties

float away

like vapor on the wind.

 

For the time of feasting has arrived.

Come to the table

for the King has desired your restoration

and He delights in your beauty.

 

Cathedral

Incense

Vapor of Heaven,

the smell of Mercy.

Prayers rise

on tendrils of smoke

and the echoes of bells

to the throne of the Lord.

 

Icons

Windows to Heaven.

Images

of the Lord

of the blessed saints

help us enter into

the Holy of Holies.

Heads bows

Bodies prostrate

Fingers make

the sign of the Cross

Lips kiss

the hem of Grace.

 

Byzantine Chant

Music of Heaven

Ancient tones

Ring out

Comfort,

Truth,

and Faith.

 

Chalice

Body of Christ

Immersed in

the Blood of Christ.

Healing Medicine

on the tip

of a spoon.