light and peace

Several hours after I arrived in Houston, my friend and I attended a church service in the chapel of The Church of St. John the Divine.

A Taize service of Comfort & Joy.

As we entered, we took a lighted votive and placed it near the altar. As I set my candle down, I remembered those I see no longer.

The service consisted of readings and Taize chants. These chants are short and repeated over and over for a time. It’s mesmerizing and quieting.

Driving home afterwards, there was a sea of lights

A Night Prayer (from A New Zealand Prayer Book)

Lord, it is night.

The night is for stillness.
        Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.
        What has been done has been done;
        what has not been done has not been done; 
        let it be.

The night is dark.
        Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of
        our own lives rest in you.

The night is quiet.
        Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
        all dear to us,
        and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.
        Let us look expectantly to a new day,
        new joys,
        new possibilities.

In your name we pray.  Amen.

Now quieted, we stopped for ice cream on the way home.