"A cycle older than any of us"

Near the end of October and the beginning of November, there are a large number of festivals and observances marking the passage of time. There’s Halloween, All Saints, All Souls, Diwali and the Celtic festival Samhain to name a few and probably miss more. There’s even the semi-annual hassle of switching from daylight savings time to standard time. 

It seems to me these various events have a common thread. They remind me of the universal rhythm of creation, growth, completion and rest. A cycle older than any of us. Repeating itself over and over in a sacred dance. Reminding each of us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. We reflect on all that has happened in this past year and gaze further back into the vastness of time and recognize our relationship to all those that have gone before us and all those who will follow us. 

I find great reassurance in these moments. I am humbled to know I’m only a small part of it. Yet I’m amazed and encouraged that I am included in the community of all mankind and even more that I am part of all creation. When we recite prayers we are connected with others currently praying those prayers. Some of these prayers go back years, some centuries and some millennia. People will come after us and pray these prayers. We’re all connected. 

This is a time to rest and reflect. To give thanks and gratitude. To remind ourselves we are not solitary souls on a solo journey but part of an incredible story of spiritual migration that began long, long ago and continues now and on into the future. Thanks be to God.