The Spirit Hovers Over Creation

Spiritual Exercise 45

Preparation
First I take a small hand bowl, fill it with water and put it to hand.

At my prayer place, I consider how the Spirit hovers over me in her work of continuing creation. I make a gesture of reverence and humility.
I read the prayer texts to anchor myself in the power of divine creativity.

Opening Prayer
With simple words, I offer my whole self to the Spirit.

Desire
I desire to know the creative God.

Prayer
With my imagination, I contemplate the creation of the universe.

First, the vision—I imagine the creation of the universe, 13.7 billion years ago. I see the Big Bang and the creation of particles and antiparticles, the fundamental forces of gravity, electromagnetism, strong and weak nuclear forces, and the prodigious expansion of everything.

I see, in my own way, protons and neutrons binding in the cooling universe to form hydrogen and helium nuclei, until, at 300,000 years, the first atoms form, and photons of light are released in a sea of radiation. I see the Spirit above and in everything, even in direction itself. I hear, “Let there be light!”

Then, over eons, I see all the elements being progressively created in stars, evermore complex in the burning hearts and explosive deaths.

Second, the relationship—I consider my profound relationship to the beginning of creation. I drink some water from the bowl of water. Now I am drinking the hydrogen created in the first moment of creation—for all hydrogen around and within me was created then and none since. I can say, in a very real way, that part of me was there in the beginning.

Every other element in my body was created in generations of stars. Physically, I carry the story of creation within me.
What difference does this make to the way I relate to universe?

Conversation of the Senses
In reverence, I take my bowl of water, symbol of the waters of creation. I bless it.
I gently blow over the face of the water, asking myself how I might join in the Spirit’s work of loving creation.
I put my finger in the water and taste the water, the hydrogen created 13.7 billion years ago.

I conclude in conversation, as with a friend, by sharing my thoughts and feelings with the Holy Spirit.

Our Father.