I remember being a young adult on retreat in the late ‘70s at the Marianist retreat center just outside of St. Louis. Each morning we were awakened to the sound of Dan Fogelberg singing through the speakers in our rooms: “And it’s going to be a day/there is really no way to say ‘no’ to the morning…” But we tried (to say no)! I’m still not a morning person, and it was only in the past year or so that my wife and I committed to getting up (most) mornings to attend daily mass at 7. It’s still not easy to pry myself out of bed, but once I’m up I’m good to go for the day. It’s a blessing, however bleary-eyed.
That engagement with the morning is exactly the reason that Deacon Bruce Burk published his book: “Morning Calls.” Published by Railroad Street Press and available for sale online, the book is a simple, eloquent, seven-day retreat leading to greater awareness of self and God. Bruce’s short reflections for each day embrace the daily cycle of sunrises as an opportunity for a fresh restart – a chance to begin again. Each day’s reflection is accompanied by one of his sunrise photos, each seemingly more dazzling than the last. The photos capture the warm welcome of the sun while the text guides the reader into an introspective approach to the day. He writes in the book’s introduction:
Morning allows one to start fresh, a new start, after yesterday’s missed opportunities. It’s a gift that many miss. It is the time to smile and say, “Today I can do it.” It’s a time to reflect and start anew, a time to make a mental list or plan. Morning is that opportunity to put our reflections into action. It is the time to celebrate what went right the day before and perhaps do it again. It is the perfect time to “be.”
Indeed, there’s no way to say “no” to the morning, but there is a way to embrace it and welcome it. This little book is a nice introduction to doing just that.
Ask yourself in silence: How do I welcome each day?
I admire your ability to get to that 7 am Mass. Perhaps my in acquaintance with sunrise ( except in darkest winter) has something to do with my spiritual poverty. I will think about this. But your meditation makes me think of two lines from a poem by a Southern writer I discovered by accident in my great aunts books, Jane Merchant. The quote is “whoever knows the morning need never fear the night.” I think that fits you to a T, Steve, especially after reading your book.
Experiencing those hushed moments before the sun rises feel sacred and fills one with the excitement of anticipation and awe. Perhaps that is one of many reasons people flock to “sunrise services” on Easter. What a gift we are given each day! In every sunrise a reminder of Christ’s resurrection and our eternal life. For me, the perfect time for meditation. Pushing myself to experience this more frequently, is certainly something I need to work on, again. I am looking forward to B. Burk’s book very much. Thank you, Steve!
Kathleen
Thanks, Kathleen. The older I get, the earlier I rise, it seems…
Judi, love that quote…thanks for sharing…will write to you directly later. Definintely would like to get together…