A prayer from Lindesfarne

"Leave me alone with God as much as may be.
As the tide draws the waters close in upon the shore,
Make me an island, set apart,
alone with you, God, holy to you.

Then with the turning of the tide
prepare me to carry your presence to the busy world beyond,
the world that rushes in on me
till the waters come again and fold me back to you."
- St Aidan of Lindisfarne

Another Celtic prayer

"Life of God be with you this day,
Love of the Creator fill your heart,
Light of the Saviour guide your steps,
Hope of the Sanctifier teach your minds,
Life of the Three sustain you,

Love of the One encircle you,
Now and always, this day and forever."
- Celtic prayer

Celtic prayer for the new day

"Let us walk into this day
God’s light before us,
God’s shield behind us,
God’s friends beside us.
Let us be filled

With the music of God’s world,
With the wonder of God’s love,
With the glory of God’s presence."
- Celtic prayer

Gentleness and strength

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.” 

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (August 28, 1749 - March 22, 1832)

Love

 

"Spread love everywhere you go:
first of all in your own house.
Give love to your children, to your wife or husband,
to a next door neighbor....
Let no one come to you without leaving better or happier.

Be the living expression of God's kindness;
kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes,
kindness in your smile and kindness in your warm greeting."

- Mother Teresa (26 August 1910 – 5 September 1997)

   Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A modern Irish blessing

‎"May God protect you…
From scary nights,
from hasty flights;
From too much food,
from a somber mood;

From ringing bells,
from self-made hells;
From sickish pains,
from dishonest gains;
From excessive needs,
from tricky deeds;
From foolish quarrels,
from resting on laurels;
From silly fears,
from idle tears;
From forgotten lines,
And from all bad times.
We pray, Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
- Irish blessing (by Fr. Andrew Greeley)

Wise words from Thomas a Kempis

"We would have much peace if we would not busy ourselves with the sayings and doings of others." - Thomas à Kempis

A Jewish proverb

"If you always assume the person sitting next to you is the Messiah waiting for some human kindness,
You will soon come to weigh your words and watch your hands. And if he/she so chooses not to reveal him/herself in your time - It will not matter." -  A Rabbi's proverb

Another celtic prayer

"You are the peace of all things calm
You are the place to hide from harm
You are the light that shines in dark
You are the heart's eternal spark
You are the door that's open wide

You are the guest who waits inside
You are the stranger at the door
You are the calling of the poor
You are my Lord and with me still
You are my love, keep me from ill
You are the light, the truth, the way
You are my Saviour this very day."
- Celtic prayer (oral tradition)

Thomas Merton Quotation

"The only true joy on earth is to escape from the prison of our own false self, and enter by love into union with the Life Who dwells and sings within the essence of every creature and in the core of our own souls." - Thomas Merton