Be Now My Vision

Hill of Slane, County Meath, Ireland, which lends its name to the tune of "Slane"

"Be now my vision," we sing, "O God of my heart." This classic hymn has been by Christians for centuries. But, did you know that the lyrics are based on an old Irish poem? The original title in Middle Gaelic is "Rop tú mo Baile," and it is thought to be written in the sixth century by the Irish poet Dallán Forgaill, a blind man. That bit of history adds even more meaning to an already inspirational Christian hymn.

"Be Now My Vision" is a hymn of praise, yet it's also a prayer. It says something like: be with us, O God, be so close to us that your vision becomes our vision, we pray. What would it be like if God truly was our vision? How would we see one another and ourselves? Where would our focus be drawn? What would capture our attention?

I hope this summer season gives you time and space to reflect and be renewed, to breathe in God's incredible creation, and to imagine what it would be like to see as God sees, to perceive as God perceives, to love as God loves. And towards that, I offer this prayer:

Be now our vision, O God, in this moment, wherever each of us can be found. Help us recognize the beauty in one another as you have made us, instill in us a wonder and a respect for the creation around us, and open the eyes of our hearts to the lives and the places that need your healing love. Be now our vision, O God. Amen.