SATURDAY, August 13

Psalm 108:1-6(7-13). Wake up, my spirit; awake, lute and harp; I myself will waken the dawn.

I lived in Korea for fifteen years. Every morning at about 3:00 a.m. the Buddhist monasteries in Korea begin the day with the sound of a large bell calling all humans, a drum calling the animals, a cloud-shaped gong calling creatures of the air and a large log carved into the shape of a fish calling all water dwelling creatures. These sounds echo around the valleys and forests surrounding the temples, inviting all creatures to hear the chanting of the Buddha’s teaching.

Back in Australia at our Franciscan hermitage, we ring the angelus bell (somewhat later!) at 6:00 a.m. That sound too fills the bush around us and I hear nature stirring—birds, insects, the neighbor’s cows, a hopping wallaby, perhaps wind in the gum trees. The brothers begin to prepare for Morning Prayer. All are greeted with the sounds of this bell calling us to remember the good news of God becoming human and living among us.

This good news is not only for ourselves but to be proclaimed to all. Wake the dawn! Let all creation share in our praise of the God who dwells among us, intimately part of our breathing, our blood, our tissue, our waking and our rising.

PRAY for the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds (York, England)  

Ps 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13) * 33; 2 Samuel 16:1-23; Acts 22:17-29; Mark 11:1-11

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com or Oremus Bible browser.

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