I recently had the opportunity to attend a retreat given by one of our Sisters. Sister Therese Haydel presented a “Praying with Light” retreat and very artistically described gazing on photographic images as an invitation to prayer. Walking with a camera in hand and being attentive to images of God’s surprises is an opportunity to step out of the ordinary to glimpse Sacred Presence. We can pray with light as well as the words of Scripture. If we are spiritually attentive to the various nuances of life, perspective is deepened. On our spiritual journey, we come to equate images of Light with the Divine, the fiery rose sunrises at morning dawn, the illuminant rays of the sun piercing through the branches of the trees, the golden harvest moon sighted on the drive home from work, or the sunset colors cascading over the flowing ripples of the lake.
It is these moments, these unexpected “epiphany moments” (ref. Sr. Therese), these “Kodak moments,” that put us in touch with God, remind us of what our journey in life is all about, and call us to see the sacred in every moment of ordinary life.
The camera assists us in focusing our perspective of an image. We learn to pay attention to the various nuances of light and hues of color. The camera becomes our intimate friend as we internalize the many functional settings to produce the perfect artistic image. Often we plan exactly what we want to capture. At other times, what we think we captured is not what we really intended when the printed image is revealed. Our eyes may behold something totally different when gazing at the final image and we are often astounded with the unexpected beauty of an image our eyes were not cognizant of at the click of the lens.
Robert Waldron, in his book Thomas Merton, Master of Attention, describes monk Thomas Merton’s love for photography as a means of being attentive to the sacredness of photographic images. Waldron says “the camera focuses in on the object chosen by the eye to be seen, not a cursory but a deep seeing, as if one is attempting to see into the life of things, like monks with eyes fixed upon religious ritual or Scripture, hoping for a divine glimpse.” (pg. 71)
In the Benedictine tradition of lectio divina (sacred reading), we read God’s Word, listen to God’s message to us in the Scripture reading, meditate on its meaning for us, and rest in God’s loving embrace. We do this day in and day out. It is the formative element of the living out of our vows of obedience, stability, and fidelity to the monastic way of life. As we grow in this practice and this intimate relationship with the Sacred Word, we walk through every moment of our lives, at prayer, at work, and at table, opening our eyes to the perspective of the Sacred. At the end of the day, we mull over all the blessings and painful conflicts of the day. We learn to focus our physical lens on what went well and we learn to gain perspective on how we could have changed our emotional focus to master the true image of what should have transpired.
The same process of lectio divina can also be applied to praying with photographic images. The contemplative practice of visio divina (divine seeing) opens the lens of our eyes to see what is, to gaze on the Light of the Divine Presence. We gaze, we listen, we ponder, and we behold the gift God wants to speak to us through the image. The icon of God before us engages us in considering the questions and perspectives of life. Why am I drawn to this image? What is God saying to me? How does this picture transform me? What lesson do I need at this time in my life? What memories surface? How am I led to respond in gratitude and praise? How am I being called to share my experience with others?
A prayer walk with camera in hand can focus our intent to catch God’s surprises and awaken us to new perspectives in our daily lives. We place ourselves in God’s Presence, open our hearts to God’s plan, and wait for the image God wants us to capture. So after the retreat, I took a leisurely stroll on our beautiful campus. I probably took about 50 shots. Later, in the quiet hours of evening, my eyes lingered on this picture of the statue of Mary outside our retreat house.
What caught my attention was the sunlight caressing her with its light. I deliberately captured a close up image. This statue is only about three feet in stature and I’m sure I have walked by it many times but never even noticed it. But this close up image presents a different perspective. Here she stands with a calm, peaceful and prayerful pose. She is adorned in a flower petaled cloak I’ve never noticed before. Her beautiful presence stands at the center of the Retreat Center grounds to welcome everyone, whether she is noticed or not. Her attentive presence reminds me of a mother, always available, always welcoming. Her message is “Welcome to this holy dwelling place, this Oasis of Peace, where you will find the God of Love and Peace.” God’s message to me as I reflect on this iconic image is that I also must be like Mary, attentive, calm, peaceful, and welcoming to all who come into this Oasis of Peace.
Focus,
Wake to the Light,
Behold the illuminant rays piercing the tree’s beauty
Feel your gasp
at the wondrous beauty
of God’s ever present light
AND NEVER FORGET IT!
~Sister Priscilla Cohen, OSB
