Here’s a blessing inspired by Mark 8:34. It was written by artist and author Jan L. Richardson.
Blessing in the Shape of a Cross
“If any want to become my followers,
let them deny themselves and take up their cross
and follow me.” Mark 8:34
Press this blessing
into your palms—
right, left—
and you will see
how it leaves its mark,
into your palms—
right, left—
and you will see
how it leaves its mark,
how it imprints itself
into your skin,
how the lines of it
meet
and cross
into your skin,
how the lines of it
meet
and cross
as if signaling you
to the treasure
that has been in
your grasp
all along.
to the treasure
that has been in
your grasp
all along.
Except that these riches
you will count
not by what you hold
but by what you release,
by what you lose,
by what falls from
your open hands.
you will count
not by what you hold
but by what you release,
by what you lose,
by what falls from
your open hands.
— written by Jan L. Richardson, and posted on the Painted Prayerbook blog. Visit her site for other inspiring resources.
