Christ Before Me
Christ Before Me
Christ before me
Christ behind me
Christ above me
Christ below me
Christ to left
Christ to right
Christ within
Both day and night
from St. Patrick's Breastplate
"Words, words, words! Doesn't she know that a kid doesn't need words to talk to God?" So said my then-second-grade niece. It was her first year of learning memorized prayers before First Confession and she had an opinion on that!
Out of the mouths of babes. I once endured such memorization and am actually grateful for the familiar words that spring to my lips as needed. But my sense and practice of prayer has grown beyond that as surely as I have outgrown my second grade uniform.
I am particularly fond of the embodiment and Christ-centered nature of Celtic prayer. St. Patrick's Breastplate, also known as The Cry of the Deer, if not written by Patrick, is, at least, inspired by his spirituality. It has taken many forms but the verses above capture its essence.
They provide a framework for praying with movement that is a lovely way to begin your day.
Here's how I like to do it:
Christ Before Me
Stretch your hands forward...toward the rising sun, the infinite horizon, the view before you, the path ahead of you, your work table, an imagined scene as you close your eyes
Be conscious of all that lies ahead of you...this coming day, what is about to happen next, the transition you are in, stretching into the unforeseeable future, aware of the challenges or gifts before you
Christ Behind Me
Raise you hands beside your head, palms backward, gently place your hands upon your shoulders, close your eyes and bow your head in gratitude...
Remember all that you and Christ have been through together, all that for which you are grateful, the many blessings you have received, the many trials you have endured, and Christ has been there
Christ Above Me
Reach your arms overhead, palms upward, stretching, and look up...the blue of sky, the canvas of clouds, the moisture they bear to you--rain, snow, or hail, falling to meet you
Imagine beyond the the limits of sky to a universe extending endlessly beyond our knowing, all still, somehow, within Christ's grasp, as are you
Christ Below Me
Bend gently downward, as you are able, reach out lovingly toward the ground beneath your feet, wiggle your toes and feel the firmness, softly circle your hands or bend down to touch
Soften your heart in gratitude for all that this earth has given you...the certitude of place, the bounty of harvest, the roads you have traveled, and let gratitude fill you
Christ to Left
Stretch out your left arm and allow your head and eyes to follow
Consider all that arises from your left side: reasoning, language, ability to order. Think of those you love who identify with progressive thought. Keep your left arm extended.
Christ to Right
Stretch out your right arm and allow your head and eyes to follow
Consider all that arises from your right side: creativity, spatial awareness, intuition. Think of those you love who identify with conservative thought.
Notice your cruciform stance. Remember the Christ whose arms extended on the cross to embrace and love all humanity, all creation.
Christ Within
Draw your arms inward, hands crossing over one another on your chest. Pull with you all your loved ones, all your gifts. Embrace all these. Embrace yourself. Embrace the Christ who draws all things to himself.
Both Day and Night
Lay your crossed palms upward in front of you in a gesture of openness to whatever the day will bring
Then fold your palms together in a gesture of prayer giving over the coming night to God.
Amen. Amen. Amen. May it be so.
Music is a lovely way to enrich this prayer. This link will take you to the Youtube version that I use: Christ Before Me - Keith Duke in Sacred Dance
The simple verses that appear above are repeated five times in this song. Here's what I do each time through:
- First time - listen and use all the movements described
- Second - sway with the Irish pipe as you use the movements
- Third - add song to your movement and swaying
- Fourth - feel free to dance around your space, adding your own movements
- Fifth - stand still and solemnly use your movements to bless the day ahead.
I would love to hear if this prayer experience is helpful for you.
Just drop me a line at Kathleen
BIG NEWS... big news....
You said there'd be big news!!!!!
Where IS it???
I CAN'T STAND THE SUSPENSE!
Cool it, dude! It's a comin'.
"All good things come to those who wait," that sort of thing.
"Trust me; it's worth waiting for"
"Remember the tortoise and the hare?"
Platitudes aside, there IS big news coming--just not in time for this newsletter...but SOON (promise).
If you are new to Sisters in Scripture, I would love for us to stay in touch. To receive regular emails, sign up here