Horns of a dilemma: Diarmuid O'Murchu and The Lord's Prayer

On the horns of a dilemma
(and I don't mean the poor jailed goat)!

Over at Diarmuid O' Murchu's site I found a lovely version of The Lord's Prayer supposedly "based on the original Aramaic - source unknown". I like the prayer. It has struck a chord with me. However....

and it is a big however, Michael Booker at the National Association of Scholars site gives the background to the prayer.

Ah, caution!
I think I should bear in mind what Michael Booker has to say.

But, as a prayer, I think it's not bad. And striking a chord in me - as it undoubtedly does with others - bears witness to our thoughts on the universe, idealistic or psuedo-poetic though they be. So I pass it on here - but without the claims for the 'original' Aramaic.

The Lord’ s Prayer

(modern version by Neil Douglas-Klotz)

O Cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration! Soften the ground of our being
and carve out a space within us where your presence can abide.

Fill us with your creativity so that we may be empowered
to bear the fruit of your mission.

Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with your desire.

Endow us with the wisdom to produce and share
what each being needs to grow and flourish.

Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us,
as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes.

Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our true purpose,
but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment.

For you are the ground and fruitful vision, the birth, power and fulfilment,
as all is gathered and made whole once again.

Silver Wattle at Ben Cruachan

Silver Wattle photo by Duncan Fraser
from his blog, Ben Cruachan

One of the most beautiful blogs you will ever see and arguably the best nature blog in Australia is done by an older man called Duncan Fraser who lives in a very beautiful part of rural Victoria. The blog is elegantly laid out, the photos are of a supremely high standard, and his text gives wonderful insight into our environment. All praise to Duncan and to the Creator Spirit who laid out all this beauty for him to record.

At the dawn I seek Thee,

Refuge, Rock sublime;

Set my prayer before Thee in the morning,

And my prayer at even-time.

I before Thy greatness

Stand, and am afraid;

All my secret throughts Thine eye beholdeth,

Deep within my bosom laid.

And withal, what is it

Heart and tongue can do?

What is this my strength, and what is even

This my spirit in me, too?

But indeed man's singing

May seem good to Thee.

So I praise Thee, singing, while there dwelleth

Yet the breath of God in me.

Solomon ibn Gabirol

Translated by Nina Salaman

Season of the Soul: Annunciation, Lady Day, 25 March.

Ecce Annili Domini - Dane Gabriel Rossetti

THE MAGNIFICAT
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed;
the Almighty has done great things for me

and holy is his name.

He has mercy on those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm
and has scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
to remember his promise of mercy,
The promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Luke Chapter1:46-56

Seasons of the Soul: Praise (II)

Praise (II)
King of Glory, King of Peace,
I will love you:
And that love may never cease,
I will move you.

You have granted my request,
You have heard me:
You did note my working breast,
You have spared me.

Therefore with my utmost art
I will sing you,
And the cream of all my heart
I will bring you.

Though my sins against me cried,
You did clear me;
And alone, when they replied,
You did hear me.

Seven whole days, not one in seven,
I will praise you.
In my heart, though not in heaven,
I can raise you.

You grew'st soft and moist with tears,
You relented:
And when Justice called for fears,
You dissented.

Small it is, in this poor sort
To enroll thee:
Even eternity is to short
To extol thee.

George Herbert

Seasons of the Soul: A wreath

A WREATH

A wreathed garland of deservèd praise,

Of praise deservèd, unto Thee I give,

I give to Thee, who knowest all my ways,

My crooked winding ways, wherein I live,—

Wherein I die, not live ; for life is straight,

Straight as a line, and ever tends to Thee,

To Thee, who art more far above deceit,

Than deceit seems above simplicity.

Give me simplicity, that I may live,

So live and like, that I may know Thy ways,

Know them and practise them : then shall I give

For this poor wreath, give Thee a crown of praise.

George Herbert