Ritual
Kat Goheen of Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will all be changed. -1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Grinding several days’ worth of decaf coffee at a time is a consistent ritual of mine-appreciating the consistency of the commercial-grade grinder, feeling gratitude for learning to enjoy the simplicity of decaf, anticipating the comfort I will receive in brewing these cups in the days to come. It is a ritual, not usually a spiritual practice.
But today as I filled the small container for a second time, I noticed the fluffy granules of coffee floating upward, attaching themselves to the funnel they had just traveled down in defiance of gravity. Like magnetism, like static, they clung with a kind of longing, and I saw myself in their motion. On the bright side, I am also drawn upward toward the arms of the Beloved, and against the assumptions of intellect; and I joyfully throw myself upward into space. On the shadow side, I sometimes long to return to where I came from and not journey into the next phase of my growth. I cling rather than allow.
This surprising movement of coffee granules moves me deep into my heart to contemplate its pattern and flow. May my movements be governed by grace and generosity, and may they lead to comfort for those around me.
Prayer Phrase
“Practice Resurrection” (Wendell Berry).
Spiritual Practice
Breath Prayer
During this Easter season, we invite you daily into a breath prayer focused on resurrection. With each exhale, respond in a word or phrase to the question, “What is dying?” (fear, anger, assumptions, etc.) With each inhale, notice a response in a word or phrase to the question “What is rising?” (love, courage, trust, etc.) You may choose to use the same word or phrase throughout this season, or let each day bring its own unique response to this sacred pattern of dying and rising that is central to our faith.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
