Canticle 3

January 5, 2009

Today, I reflect briefly on the part of the canticle in morning prayers in CDP that says: Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. My one word comment is I am Surrounded.

The form of this part of the canticle is not petitionary in that no verb expresses a request. Still we get the feeling that both a statement is being made of the reality we experience at times as well as a request for being surrounded by Christ.

Yes all dimensions of life come under our surrounding relationship with Christ. All dimensions: the things we experience with our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies. Not just the good things, or the right things, but all things. The things we think, say and do are subject to Christ. No dimension we know is outside the surrounding of Christ. When I feel rich with the presence or poor with the absence; content with my life, or discontent and striving for more, hungry for presence, empty and alone? No matter! I am surrounded and can do all things by the strength of his surrounding.

This interpretation is helpful to me in reflecting about this surrounding prayers.

Christ under me: My foundation. The ground of my life. The one sure thing that is not going to crumble when the crushing meteors of life hit us.

Christ over me: My authority. I have the freedom and will to act but never on my own authority. In any role in my life. As a parent or grandparent I am not the final authority. As a minister ditto. As a husband ditto. As a friend, spiritual guide, counselor, sibling, ditto, ditto, ditto, and ditto. King Jesus has come and his kingdom is here. Authority belongs to you my king.

Christ beside me on my left and my right. He walks with me as he did with the two on the Emmaus journey. He talks with me as he did with them. He listens to me as a friend would. He shares with me my humanity, my temptations, my victories, my defeats. Where is he in my suffering? Where is he in my joys? Where is he when I am despairing? Where is he when I feel I can conquer the world? Beside me, on my left and my right.

And now I ask O Christ and state that I be surrounded by You.

Posted by georges boujakly | Filed Under Celtic Daily Prayer, Morning Prayer, Sacred Rhythm 

Comments

1 Comment to “Canticle 3”

  1. brad brisco on January 5th, 2009 3:36 pm

    Georges, thanks again for adding depth to my use of the Canticle.

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