May We Choose Grace

I often quote John O’Donohue in my work. I consider him a spiritual genius. I just never thought I would have occasion to use this piece. But here we are. Unprecedented times on the eve of the upcoming election. Times that call me to look beyond the election to what lies ahead for our nation. Indeed. May we be gracious. May we choose grace.

When the gentleness between you hardens

And you fall out of your belonging with each other,
May the depths you have reached hold you still.

When no true word can be said, or heard,
And you mirror each other in the script of hurt,
When even the silence has become raw and torn,
May you hear again an echo of your first music.

graceWhen the weave of affection starts to unravel
And anger begins to sear the ground between you,
Before this weather of grief invites
The black seed of bitterness to find root,
May your souls kiss.

Now is the time for one of you to be gracious,
To allow a kindnesss beyond thought and hurt,
Reach out with sure hands
To take the chalice of your love,
And carry it carefully through this echoless waste
Until this winter pilgrimage leads you
Toward the gateway to spring.

Beannacht,
Judith – judith@stonefires.com

5 thoughts on “May We Choose Grace

  1. Judith: Love it! (Is the word KINDS in line 14 a typo or do I need a better dictionary? Xoxo Son

    Sent from my iPhone

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  2. Love O’Donohue. Used his “Blessing for the Dying” as a reading in my mom’s funeral earlier this month. (Couldn’t remember my WordPress password, so commenting via FB).

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