April Ninth

O LORD, Thy hands have formed us, and Thou hast sent us into this world, that we may walk in the way that leads to heaven and Thyself, and may find a lasting rest in Thee who art the Source and Centre of our souls. Look in pity on us poor pilgrims in the narrow way; let us not go astray, but reach at last our true home where our Father dwells. Guide and govern us from day to day, and bestow on us food and strength for body and soul, that we may journey on in peace. Forgive us for having hitherto so often wavered or looked back, and let us henceforward march straight on in the way of Thy laws, and may our last step be a safe and peaceful passage to the arms of Thy love, and the blessed fellowship of the sants in light. Hear us, O Lord, and glorify Thy name in us that we may glorify Thee for ever and ever - amen.

-- GERHARD TERSTEEGEN (1697-1769)
Photo of English sculptor Barbara Hepworth, St. Ives, UK, 1964, photo by Paul Schutzer, Life magazine archives

January Ninteenth

OF ALL existing things some are in our power, and others are not in our power.
In our power are thought, impulse, will to get and will to avoid, and in a word, everything which is our own doing . . . . What disturbs men's minds is not events but their judgments on events.
. . . Ask not that events should happen as you will, but let your will be that events should happen as they do, and you shall have peace.

-- EPICTETUS
Photo by Paul Schutzer from Life magazine archives

December The Third

LORD, be with my spirit, and dwell in my heart by faith. Oh, make me such as I should be towards Thee, and such as Thou mayest take pleasure in me. He with me everywhere and at all times, in all events and circumstances of my life, to sanctify and sweeten to me whatever befalls me; and never leave nor forsake me in my present pilgrimage here, till Thou hast brought me safe through all trials and dangers to be ever with Thee, there to live in Thy sight and love, world with end - Amen.

-- BENJAMIN JENKS (1646-1724) Photo by Paul Schutzer, 1957, Life magazine archives

September The Fifth

POEM in THREE PARTS

I
OH, on an early morning I think I shall live forever!
I am wrapped in my joyful flesh,
As the grass is wrapped in its clouds of green.

II
Rising from a bed, where I dreamt
Of long rides past castles and hot coals,
The sun lies happily on my knees;
I have suffered and survived the night,
Bathed in dark water, like any blade of grass.

III
The strong leaves of the box-elder tree,
Plunging in the wind, call us to disappear
Into the wilds of the universe,
Where we shall sit at the foot of a plant,
And live forever, like the dust.

-- ROBERT BLY
Poetry Of The Psalms: Red poppies growing in a grassy field in Greece. Taken in 1964 by photographer Paul Schutzer. Life magazine archives.

August The Fourteenth

O THOU, whose name is Love, who never turnest away from the cry of Thy needy children, give ear to my prayer this morning. Make this a day of blessing to me, and make me a blessing to others. Keep all evil away from me. Preserve me from outward transgression and from secret sin. Help me to control risings of anger or sullenness. If I meet with unkindness or ill-treatment, give me that charity which suffereth long and beareth all things. Make me kind and gentle toward all, loving even those who love me not. Let me live this day as if it were to be my last. O my God, show me the path that Thou wouldest have me to follow. May I take no step that is not ordered by Thee, and go nowhere except Thou, Lord, go with me - Amen.

-- ASHTON OXENDEN

Life magazine archives, taken August 1959 by photographer Paul Schutzer.