Time is an ever present enemy robbing me of the blessing of reflection. I sit here now in the early hours as a new dawn breaks in, listening to the rising crescendo of birdsong. The creator’s choristers piping in the light, celebrating the defeat of darkness once again. It is such a joyful time of day.
I recently came across a brilliant aide to creative reflection. This was in the form of a poem by John O’Donohue, one of God’s special friends who departed for heaven too soon for us, yet I am sure not soon enough for him. Now his bardic musings fill the panoply of the heavens – our loss is
eternity’s gain.
In his book, ‘Benedictus. A Book of Blessings‘, There is a poem entitled simply, ‘At the End of the Day: A Mirror of Questions‘. I have found it a brilliant discipline recently, when exploring my feelings and God’s heart around a deep disappointment, to allow these questions to shape my journey of dialogue with God. I commend it to you as just such a model that guides reflection and leads the enquirer on a journey home with God.
What dreams did I create last night?
Where did my eyes linger today?
Where was I blind?
Where was I hurt without anyone noticing?
What did I learn today?
What did I read?
What new thoughts visited me?
What differences did I notice in those closest to me? Whom did I neglect?
Where did I neglect myself?
What did I begin today that might endure?
How were my conversations?
What did I do today for the poor and the excluded?
Did I remember the dead today?
Where could I have exposed myself to the risk of something different?
Where did I allow myself to receive love?
With whom today did I feel the most myself?
What reached me today? How deep did it imprint?
Who saw me today?
What visitations had I from the past and from the future?
What did I avoid today?
From the evidence, why was I given this day?
I suggest this is an excellent meditation for a quiet day, away from the hurly burly of everyday life. It is something I will use both for myself and for those who seek rest and reflection within the sanctity of St Cuthbert’s Oratory. It is a suitable guide for times of reflection.
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Thank you, Micha, I needed this!