August 8, 2025

[PREPARATION – Basic Silence]

Now that I am more settled after vacation,
I begin to notice the quiet invitations of the backyard.
The grass in the garden is ready to be cut,
where beans, cucumbers, and other plants have found their place.
Beneath the tall blades, I discover
a single, large zucchini hidden from view.

As I prepare for the sacred reading,
I open my heart in song:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.”
— Helen Lemmel, 1922

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[LECTIO]

I take three deep breaths,
letting stillness settle over me,
and gather my heart into peace.

Today, I read Psalm 97:1–12 in several versions.
The words that stir my heart are:

• “The Lord rules!”
• “Fire goes before Him and burns up His enemies on every side.”
• “All who worship images… are put to shame.”
• “Light is planted like seed for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.”

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[ORATIO]

It is a time for celebration—
for You, O God, love all who turn away from evil.
You plant light-seeds deep within the souls of Your people.
You plant joy-seeds in hearts made good by Your Spirit.
The foundation of Your rule is both righteousness and universality.

Lord, search me and show me:
Is there any part of my life—even in my daily routines—
that drifts out of tune with Your moral standards,
including the commandments You have given?

Am I living in harmony with others—
with family and in-laws,
with siblings and neighbors,
with those I work alongside,
with my community,
with people of other faiths,
and with the nations of the world?

Bring me into balance, O Lord,
so that the seeds You have planted
may grow unhindered in the soil of my life.

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[CONTEMPLATIO]

I step into the quiet place,
where I can slip off my shoes
and rest upon the grass.

The sun is strong,
yet I feel no heat—
only the steady embrace of its light.

I empty myself,
that I may be filled with the Divine Light.
I breathe slowly in His presence,
allowing the roots of His radiance
to sink deep into my soul.

In the garden,
among the tall, thick grass,
red peppers and bright tomatoes
rest in the stillness.
The grass is overgrown,
yet I feel no urgency to cut it.
Let them grow together—
for autumn is coming.
When the season turns,
I will prepare the soil for spring.

Here, beneath the sun’s wide covering,
my spirit rests without haste.
The renewing power of the Lord
wraps around me,
fills me,
and overflows into quiet joy.

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[INCANATIO]

Yes, Lord—
to return Your glory is to proclaim it,
not with hesitation,
but with strength and holy urgency.

Am I truly Your seed,
as You place Your light within my light?
The harvest of that light
calls for a faithful witness.

Lord, what would You have me do?
How shall I live so that Your life
is seen in my family,
in my church,
among my neighbors,
and throughout my community?

Make me a living vessel of Your presence,
so that all who see me
may see You.

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[ORATORIO]

And so, I lift my voice in praise,
singing “Victory in Jesus” by Eugene Bartlett (1939):

“I heard about His healing,
of His cleansing power revealing,
how He made the lame to walk again
and caused the blind to see.

Then I cried, ‘Dear Jesus,
come and heal my broken spirit,’
and somehow Jesus came
and brought to me the victory.

O victory in Jesus,
my Savior forever!”