A poem (again, a poem) about God in one's life: The Rule of St. Benedict... turning to God in vigil...

Most recently, I have begun a vigil for a woman who is nearing death. I visit a nursing home health care unit weekly, and a woman I have known for a while is refusing to eat, apparently too old now to live. This disturbs me, and it has been going on for some time. No one could do anything about it, including doctors and nurses. What do I do? How do I react? I chose to turn to God and a vigil.

I called it my vigil, but when I mentioned it to others they suggested some prayers (for it is their vigil, too). I chose to turn to God, and this poem is about a way of turning to God.

Poetic recitation on The Rule of St. Benedict
by Peter Menkin

Attend with the ear of your heart
Listen in the silence
at night or daytime
through trials and living.

This Rule brings God, the Lord
closer: do so to me.

Labor of obedience:
Before beginning a goodwork, pray earnestly.
We are the Lords counted
sons and daughters.
The path offers good gifts,
open your eyes to the light.
Arise from sleep.

The Rule proffers the voice
from heaven this day.








This prayer was suggested as one for the vigil:

For All Who Suffer: O God, look with mercy on those who suffer, and heal their spirits,that they may be delivered from sickness and fear. Restore hopefor the desolate, give rest to the weary, comfort the sorrowful, bewith the dying; and bring them, finally, to their true heavenly home, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.