Sing a new song...

A couple years ago during Advent, I found myself at the labyrinth at the seminary where I was studying. It was a chilly evening, about nine o'clock in the evening. The candle I had lit in the center was a perfect reflection of the full moon overhead and I started walking. The words to O Come O Come Emmanuel were sitting in my heart, so I let myself sing them aloud. As I followed the curves of the path, I was struck by the way the words and melody of the hymn seemed to follow and lead and follow one another along those curves and turns. For those of you who make labyrinths a part of your spiritual journey, that emptying of the inward journey can be a little jarring at times. This was definitely one of those moments. It was as if God was saying to me, "Keep walking, child. Keep singing. You don't know where the road leads, but you know my presence is everlasting. My song is yours.Keep walking." Needless to say, I stopped when I reached the center and let myself cry out some of the tears that had been lurking just below the surface.

I tell you this story because my song needs to be renewed. And at this time of Lenten repentance and reflection, my feet need to follow those paths anew and seek the presence of the companioning God I long to trust more than anything. Care to join me? What is your song? Perhaps you need to start with O Come O Come Emmanuel and center your walk on the God who is with us in Jesus Christ. Maybe the cries of the mystics reflect the state of your soul.

My song this season is centered in creed. The words are said to be St. Patrick's. Whether or not they are is not of great importance. What does matter is the renewal of understanding that will guide this part of my journey, a journey of identity, of discipleship, and of love for the one who loved me first. I leave you with these words. Peace be the journey.

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this today to me forever
By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;
His baptism in Jordan river,
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb,
His riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of cherubim;
The sweet ‘Well done’ in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word,
The Patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord
And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the star lit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward;
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility

I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave, the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
By Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,

Salvation is of Christ the Lord.