Blessing a home during a pandemic

(adapted from John O’Donohue’s ‘Blessing for a new home’)

May this home be a shelter for you.

While you are bound here because of what is out there,

May all the weight of fear and panic

Fall from your shoulders.

May this home be a place of discovery

Where the possibilities that sleep

In the clay of your soul can emerge

To deepen and refine your vision

For all that is yet to come to birth.

May this be a house of courage,

Where healing and growth are loved,

Where dignity and forgiveness prevail;

A home where patience and spirit is prized,

And the sight of the destination is never lost

Though the journey be difficult and slow and lonely.

May there be great delight around this hearth.

May it be a house of welcome,

For all that is broken and diminished within you.

Because no one else is allowed to come knocking,

May you be hospitable to yourself.

May you have eyes to see that you too are a gift

And may you have enough generosity to bless yourself.