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A Blessing Over a Table Dressed in White
We praise you, Creator God,
for the gift of our sister, the color white;
pure and innocent and chaste is she.
Of you, Most High, her mysterious nature speaks
for within herself she holds all colors,
though unseen,
as you within yourself hold all things seen
and unseen.
Her starkness speaks of absence,
her freshness of starched aprons and curtains,
of white house trim and picket fences,
of simple things that bring us pleasure.
Her purity gladdens bridal parties,
her innocence recalls baptismal promises
and glows with first communion joy,
her emptiness gives sad voice to mourning;
her unobtrusive presence graces quietly
our sacramental moments.
A blank canvas, she invites the artist's brush of color,
a clean parchment, she opens herself
to receive the wisdom of the scribe.
Devoid of passion or presence,
her blandness makes us long for color
much as our spirits long for you, O holy God,
dynamic, rainbow-like presence in our lives,
O sacred jewel flashing brilliant color
across the whiteness of our days.
Bless this table dressed in white;
may the joyous sparks of our laughter and conversation
brighten its quiet reminder that you, O God,
do indeed dwell among us and long to fill
the everydayness of our lives
with the vibrant colors of your loving presence.
Make us long for you as whiteness longs for color.
Patricia Michalek, OSF
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