Silent Still Presence

This morning 
the bell rings for Lauds 

The only postulant in this hermitage 
had just finished his Lectio Divina 

In his lectio, 
his meditatio, 

his oratio 
and his contemplatio 

He felt like he kept saying "yes" to Jesus 
almost as if he is there with Him in today's Gospel reading 

The postulant heads to the door of his cell 
his own private abode 

in which he feebly attempts to open himself to Jesus 
already dressed in his smock 

which he kept on since Vigils 
as he usually does 

He steps out the door of his cell 
foolishly expecting ordinariness 

A feast is set before his eyes 
Delightfully surprising this young boy masquerading as a grown man 

Between the cross atop the church and its bell tower 
A soft, warm gentle rainbow silently announces its still presence 

As he walks in wonder toward the church 
he sees this rainbow extend across the sky and onto the horizon 

Complementing itself with the mountain faithfully waiting for it 
Two lovers passionately embracing 

Completely un-self-conscious of all those below them 
Gawking up at them in wonder 

This magnificent sight 
Presented to this postulant at no cost 

Much like the gentle guidance 
Provided to the postulant during his visit with the Word 

Confirmed by the prior 
standing under this majestic rainbow reveling in it 

who in greeting the postulant
informs this young man, "this is for you."  

After chanting the Psalms during Lauds 
there in the assembly of the faithful 

during the prayers of petition and thanksgiving 
an elderly monk thanks God for the rainbow 

for the symbol 
of God's covenant with us 

and a postulant with much to learn 
thanks God for the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit.