Cole Authur Riley, in Black Liturgies, uses language in her prayers, poems, and meditations for the purpose of "staying human." I find her writing does just that. It's honest and compelling and helps me keep my eyes and heart open as I live my one, precious life.
Today I share a prayer of confession, words of forgiveness, and a benediction from her reflections on wonder.
Confession: God of delight, we confess that we have grown numb to the beauty of this world. We have not protected what is good and true and enchanting. We have forgotten to marvel at the mundane with the same gravity as we would behold the mountain or the valley. We have not looked up to witness the miracle of our architecture. And in our self-hatred, we have failed to delight in and honor the faces we pass each day. Forgive us our inattention, and in your mercy remind us that we are so much more than our pain. Guide our gaze toward the beautiful. Amen
Forgiveness: Let your soul receive this rest: The same God who makes the death of the tree burst with color can call us into wonder even in the midst of tragedy. May the divine have mercy on our inattention, that we could grieve what should not be and delight in all that survives us.
Benediction: So may you fall in love again and again with the beautiful. And may that enchantment keep you from the captivity of despair and usher you into dreaming. In your beholding, may you become a faithful protector of every person and piece of creation, including the earth that trembles beneath your feet. Go in peace, to pay attention. May it be so.
