Autumn Portrait

No artist can capture

the pure image of God's autumn masterpiece.

Only God's palette hosts

the radiant yellow, flaming red and orange hues

of the autumn leaves

my eyes behold on this beautiful sunny day.

As I contemplate this gift of beauty before my eyes,

                                       becoming aware of my own autumn days,

                                      I know I am at a crossroad of younger years and older years.

                                     As the leaves gracefully fall,

                             I know that former things are passing away,

                               making room for what is to come.

                                My heart rests in the Eye of the Beholder

                               so that God's portrait of what is to become

                              can become another masterpiece.



From Where I Exit

Rose Window,
Sacred Heart Monastery Chapel



"I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations." Ps.89

As we celebrated the 79th year of the Dedication of our chapel today, I thought of our daily faithfulness to prayer.  In the sacredness of this Benedictine oratory, we have immersed ourselves in God's faithful presence to sing the psalms that speak God's words to us and to be nourished with God's life at the Eucharistic table.

The rose window speaks words of love and fidelity. Each morning as I exit the chapel, I rarely miss gazing at this sacred symbol of God's everlasting love. Jesus points to his heart and reminds me that LOVE is what it is all about in life.  I hear the words "Priscilla, take my love with you wherever you go today.  Be aware of my heart within your heart.  Go forth to love as I have loved you."

How often I hear us tell our guests not to miss gazing at the rose window.  This is living proof of our conviction that Jesus is the centerpoint of our lives and that we are eager to share this living reality with others.  The enormous icon engages us in a silent pause as we behold the beauty of its encounter, an encounter that does not need words to describe it.  We know it as a gift from God of everlasting love and fidelity.

Your Love, O God, is everlasting!

Your heart renews us day by day

as we chant your words of love.

You look upon us with faithful love

and feed us daily at your table.

You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Keep us faithful to your holy way

and be with us as we share your life.

May our hearts become your heart

in all we do and say.