Angels and Peace

11Mar

Your word is a lantern to my feet

and a light upon my path.

-Psalm 119:105

I love Lent and its mandate, its permission to seek one’s own form of solitude. Its not easy, though, to leave the demands of the day, decide which devotional source to delve into, and direct all focus to spiritual moments.

In a recent moment of agitation, a dear friend quoted Brother David Steindl-Rast to me; this was not a coincidence as new spiritual doors never are. This Benedictine monk is known as the “grandfather of gratitude.” That’s an attractively self-effacing term for a man who has been a key figure in the inter-faith movement, and who has provided inspiration to international leaders including Thich Nhat Hanh, Thomas Merton, and Desmond Tutu.

I believe in angels. My grandmother prayed to her guardian angel daily, and taught us to do so. So what a joy to find Brother Steindl-Rast’s creation, “Angel of the Hour.” Eight angels preside over the rhythm of eight stages of the day. Quoting the Prayer at Vespers, the Lighting of the Lamps:

At this evening hour,

I pause to review

the harvest of today

and give thanks

from my heart

for what I have learned

for tomorrow.

A portrait of an angel by Fra Angelico visits us while we stop, read these plain words, and listen to the chants of the monks of Mount Saviour Monastery. This pause in the day is not simply a diversion; it is a transcendent dive that puts the day in spiritual context.

It creates a yearning for more moments of meditation and guidance. For in the words of Psalm 119, the light of the Word of God provides our direction in the world. And our angels are always walking with us.

Musical Reflection - Chant at Vespers

In a world of noise, confusion and conflict, it is necessary that there is a place of inner silence and peace, not the peace of mere relaxation but the peace of inner clarity and love. Amen.

-Thomas Merton

Peace Angels

Posted by Shaun Duncan

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