Thursday, March 20th, Celebrating the Vernal Equinox

Breath Prayer: “as the earth”      “bursts forth”

     Our gospel reading from the third chapter of John celebrates these familiar words, “For God so loved the world…”  They come alive for me when I remember to start at that place…always, always, always God loves us. In the cold of winter, on the first day of spring, with each step of the journey God loves us. God loves me.

     Today marks the first day of spring. Within the Native American tradition this is the season of East. In his book The Medicine Wheel, Sunbear speaks to the wonder and the gifts of this season. “The season of Wabun is the Spring, when the earth is awakening from the sleep of winter and the new life which has been preparing itself in the womb of the earth bursts forth. . . . In the Spring everything is new and fresh.  The earth comes alive in all directions. Plants break through the earth with the brilliant display of color.”

     It is on this first day of Spring that the length of the day and the night are equal in length. So may I carry the gospel writer’s verse of God’s love for us all into this season of Wabun. When I believe I am too much in the dark remind me that in the coming days that beginning today, more light is coming. When I feel as though my feet are mired in quicksand, may I be reminded of the balance of the seasons and today’s balance of light and dark. God loved the world, all of us. All I need to do to remember is to look around and know that as the earth is waking up from her winter’s sleep, so is my spirit. 

Prayer: Eternal God, you shape the seasons and our days with love and graciousness. As we welcome in the light of this new day, we welcome in your lovingkindness for each of us. And we are ever grateful, Amen.

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