The opening text will come from a book by Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man - A Philosophy of Judaism). As you are able to see by the title, the language may be a bit dated and therefore, I will, when able, make the language inclusive.
The sense for the “miracles which are daily with us,” the sense for the “continual marvels,” is the source of prayer… We are trained in maintaining our sense of wonder by uttering a prayer before the enjoyment of food. Each time we are about to drink a glass of water, we remind ourselves of the eternal mystery of creation, “Blessed be Thou…by Whose word all things come into being.”
This is one of the goals of the Jewish way of living: to experience commonplace deeds as spiritual adventures, to feel the hidden love and wisdom in all things.
I would have to say that Christians are also people who are invited to experience commonplace deeds as spiritual adventures. Remember how in the story of the sheep and goats in Matthew’s gospel the common everyday treatment of others is placed at the very center of what it is to be a follower of Jesus. A spiritual adventure is one in which the faith at the center of our lives leads us into a certain kind of interaction with those around us. The discipline of prayer is one that helps us breathe and look again at what is around us. It also provides the opportunity to listen to the reminder of who we are through our baptism and how being “in Christ” is the beginning of facing our lives in new ways. Within the simply discipline of prayer – however you may do that – connections begin to be made with the entire cosmos…with all creation…with the God we call Creator of all things. That’s powerful.
Connection: Go ahead, let yourself be connected today. There really is plenty of time…even in a hectic day…to pray and wonder and be amazed.
Creator of All that is, keep us from be isolated from the rest of the marvelous aspects of your creation. Inspire us to look again…touch again…remember again the story of your love for us in every place and time. Amen.
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