‘Glory to God is the Highest!’
Creation’s voice proclaims it.
By God’s power, each rock and flower
Was planned and made.
Sun, moon and stars in heaven
Cry, 'Glory to God is the Highest!’
(Adapted from contemporary hymn)
Gracious and Almighty Creator.
You have tuned our ears to the owl and the sparrow.
You have focused our eyes on the vibrant colors of spring.
Our nostrils inhale the scent of lily-of-the-valley and sigh.
The sweetness of your presence surrounds us. We are at peace.
How, then, do our brothers and sisters who live not in a world of fragrant gardens, but one of dust and ashes, know where to seek you? How does your Spirit appear where the beauty of the earth is shadowed? Where senses are dulled by despair, is it there that the heart does what eyes and ears and nose cannot – perceive the eternal truth of your love?
A wise woman once said to a strong but foolishly proud boy, “I thought that if you fell into darkness, the hero that you could be would find the light.” Even as we enjoy the warmth and splendor of spring, help us to remember that shadow, too, is our portion and within it your light may be perceived without distraction as our hope and salvation.