Twenty-Fifth Day

Daniel 6.3-9

6

3 Daniel's exceptional abilities outshone all the other ministers and nobles, and Darius wanted to place him in charge of the whole realm. 4 The other ministers and nobles grew jealous and began to look for some way to malign Daniel's administration of the realm, but they couldn't find any fault, since Daniel was completely responsible and trustworthy. Since they could find no carelessness or deceit in Daniel, 5 they said, "We'll never find any reason to accuse this Daniel - unless it has to do with the law of his God!"

6 The ministers and nobles conspired together and approached Darius, Saying: "Long live Darius the Great! 7 We, the ministers of your realm, your administrators, nobles, advisors and governors, have come to an agreement, and we believe that you should issue a decree with the following prohibition: during the next thirty days, anyone who pays homage to any god or ruler other than you is to be thrown into the lions' den. 8 If you would sign this document, the edict will become inalterable, for the law of the Medes and the Persians can never be revoked." 9 So Darius signed the law.

"Cenzóntle"

by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo (b. 1988)

found in Nepantla: An Anthology for Queer Poets of Color (Nightboat, 2018)

Because the bird flew before

there was a word

for flight

years from now

there will be a name

for what you and I are doing.

I licked the mango of the sun-

between its bone and its name

between its color and its weight,

the night was heavier

than the light it hushed.

Pockets of unsteady light.

The bone-

the seed

inside the bone-

the echo

and its echo

and its shape.

I am resigned

Can you wash me without my body

Coming apart in your hands?

Call it wound-

call it beginning-

The bird's beak twisted

into a small circle of awe.

You called it cutting apart,

I called it song.

Today’s Art Practice

What You’ll Need

From Your Home:

• Your Finger Labyrinth.

Directions: Before you start, take some time to settle into a position in which you're comfortable. Take some slow deep breaths to centre you in your practice. Before you begin, you may wish to set an intention or ask a question that you will carry with you into the labyrinth, but be careful to keep it open-ended so that you're open to surprise.

Place a finger at the entrance of the labyrinth. Some people suggest that you use your non-dominant hand, as research suggests that our non-dominant hand has easier access to our intuition. As you follow the path with your finger inward, be conscious and intentional about releasing whatever stresses, worries, or distractions you might be feeling.

Breathe deeply and slowly. Pause whenever you want, but don't lift your finger off the labyrinth.

When distracting thoughts come up, simply let them pass and wish them well as they leave your mind.

When you reach the center, pause for a while and receive. Be open to whatever guidance and wisdom you may need, even if it's not what you expected.

When you're ready, follow the path outward, consciously returning and bringing the wisdom of the center out into your life with you.

Don't try too hard. Sometimes the wisdom of the labyrinth is simply the pause that it forces you to take Sometimes nothing obvious shows up, but that doesn't mean it wasn't time well spent. Stay open and receptive.

If you like, this playlist can help you keep track of time. Once it stops playing, 20 minutes will be over.

Let’s Pray…

A Prayer for the Powerless

by Miriam Therese Winter

O Sacred Power,

Force for Good

in the midst of so much evil,

we who are powerless

call upon You

for strength

and a share in Your power,

for we are only as powerful

as Your power

empowering us,

this day

and every day of our lives.

Amen.