Books were written by hand in the Middle Ages, sometimes beautifully illuminated, as was the Book of Cerne, a collection of Bible passages and prayers compiled in Britain, with prayers from Anglo-Saxon or Celtic origins included. The prayer below would be one of the morning prayers that would guide people into a meditation on their inheritance as Christians and their call to walk in holiness in the power of the Spirit.
We walk in the light of this bountiful day in the great strength of the most high God of gods, in the favor of Christ, in the light of the Holy Spirit, in the faith of the patriarchs, in the service of the prophets, in the peace of the apostles, in the joy of angels, in the splendor of the saints, in the work of the faithful, in the strength of the righteous, in the witness of the martyrs, in the chastity of the virgins, in the wisdom of God, in the patience of many, in the denial of the flesh, in the control of the tongue, in the abundance of peace, in the praise of the Trinity, in the sharpness of senses, in continuing good works, in step with the Spirit, in the words of God, in many blessings.
In this is the way of all who labor for Christ, who leads the saints into joy forever after their deaths, that they might listen to the voices of the angels, praising God and saying: “Holy, holy, holy.”
Throughout This Day: Discover one aspect of Christian meditation by practicing the art of illuminating or illustrating the passage in Ephesians quoted above. As you carefully write out the words and add decorative flourishes, pray those words back to God, inviting him to speak to your heart and fill you with reverence and awe.
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