Lay Aside
by Scott Eagan
I never simply wait
I once heard these words in a homily
the priest searching his heart
searching our hearts — how do we use time
how to pause… how to listen?
In the Byzantine Divine Liturgy, we
are instructed, we are asked
as a prayer, as a preparation for receiving the
precious Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist,
Now let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim,
who sing to the life-giving Trinity the thrice holy hymn,
let us now lay aside all earthly cares,
lay aside all cares, that we may
receive the King of all.
Not a time to worry about our problems
not a time to solve our worries
nor to mentally check our bank balance
or to consider our “to-do” list.
Only to lay aside all earthly cares
let them fall away if only
for a few moments, let them fall.
Wait in inner silence
wait in conversion to Love
wait in peace and anticipation
wait in wonder
Lay aside, that we
may receive all.
Painting of Figure Walking, by ©Donna Surprenant, Madonna House.
