Praying more slowly

The Magnificat window in the Church of Reconciliation, Taizé.
See John and Jesus?

Last night we had a gorgeous, Advent-y Taizé prayer at the First Church of God, our first visit to a wonderful worship space. The Advent chants we sang included many simple canons that have multiple layers – at least eleven independent voices are required to do justice to the secondary canons in Prepare the way of the Lord, which is an amazing piece of music.

But only one voice is needed to read the Prayer by Brother Roger, founder of the Taizé community. Unfortunately, last night it was read too quickly for the meaning to really sink in.

It’s such a beautiful prayer that I’m repeating it here, for your Advent enjoyment. Prepare the way of the Lord!

You are the God

of every human being

and, too bright for us to look upon,

you let yourself be seen

as in a mirror,

on the face of your Christ.

We are eager

to glimpse a reflection of your presence

in the confusion of people and events:

open in us the gateway to transparency of heart.

In that place of solitude
which there is in each one of us, 

come and refresh the dry and thirsty ground

of our body and our spirit.

Come and inundate us with your trust

till even our inner deserts burst into flower.

+Amen.