An Autumn Prayer (See description for Prayer)

St. Joseph Health, Home Care Services

An Autumn Prayer Opening Prayer: O God of Creation, you have blessed us with the changing of the seasons. As we welcome the autumn months, may the earlier setting of the sun remind us to take time to rest. May the brilliant colors of the leaves remind us of the wonder of your creation. May the steam of our breath in the cool air remind us that it is you who give us the breath of life. May the harvest from the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given and bounty we are to share with others. May the dying of summer’s spirit remind us of your great promise that death is temporary and life is eternal. We praise you for your goodness forever and ever. Amen. Reading: Autumn is the season of letting go, of surrender. The mood of autumn is the ebb and flow of life. Autumn stands as an epiphany to the truth that all things are passing and even in the passing there is beauty. Autumn holds out platters of death and life. As the bright colors of fall fade away, and the leaves make their final descent, rich brown and charcoal colors take center stage. This is the decaying season, but the rotting ritual that surrounds us has another face. Compost and mulch are food for the soil. There is life in the dying. Moments of death are full of life and our fear of the unknown sometime hides that life. All this dying is a prophecy of life to come. Everything is dying—TO LIVE. -from The Circle of Life: The Heart’s Journey Through the Seasons, Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr. Closing Prayer: Maker of the seasons, thank you for all that autumn teaches me. Change my focus so that I see not only what I am leaving behind, but also the harvest and plenitude that my life holds. May my heart grow free and my life more peaceful as I resonate with, and respond to, the many graces this season offers me. May God give us voice to proclaim God’s love and goodness. May gratitude fill our hearts. May God bless and protect us all. Amen