Beauty: We were created with its peace, eternal grace and purpose in our hearts

Saint Patrick's Lorica prayer is precious to both Orthodox and Roman Catholic believers, and its expressions of grace, faith, and a "one-story" spiritual cosmos echo throughout his creation.

There is much of Christian faith, humility, and commitment with the Lorica. It is a long prayer or song that goes back to Patrick's life and mission in Ireland.

And its truth exists beyond the time he lived, breathed and touched Ireland 1500 years ago, and all of us since.

But for me, the heart of this prayer comes in these lines:

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left

Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit,

 Christ where I arise

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

  During near a half-year desert pilgrimage or sorts, in a small motorhome with my wife Barbara, I've sought to experience what Patrick prayed.

There have been moments I caught glimpses of the Lorica, brief times of peace, reflection, and mumble awe. 

Still, I have so, so far to go in that quest. And I have thought of this journey as far more than my own, too.

 Where we have camped is along a stretch of the Mojave that is home to the Colorado River Indian Tribes reservation, and one of the four tribes that comprise it is the Navajo. 

Their Blessing Ceremony closing prayer includes these words:

In beauty all day long may I walk.

Through the returning seasons, may I walk.

On the trail marked with pollen may I walk.

With dew about my feet, may I walk.

With beauty before me may I walk.

With beauty behind me may I walk.

With beauty below me may I walk.

With beauty above me may I walk.

With beauty all around me may I walk.

In old age wandering on a trail of beauty,

lively, may I walk.

In old age wandering on a trail of beauty,

living again, may I walk.

My words will be beautiful…

There is a "seed" of beauty, or at least the desire for it, in us all.

For me, that is the image of God we all were created with, our potential for honoring and growing with, or struggling with, our call to eternal beauty in Him.

In the Orthodox Liturgy, we are reminded by a priest's opening declaration that the beauty, purpose and grace is found in the "Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God."

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