The Mirror of Eternity

St. Clare of Assisi wrote to Agnes: “Place your mind before the mirror of eternity!” We may wonder how we can do that. We may wonder how to calm our minds enough to see the reflection of Divine Love. One way is to breathe slowly and breathe again slowly, and breathe again deeply. Focusing without too much effort, just breathe again, again, and again. Believe that the Loving Presence thrives on stillness. Stillness blossoms into adoration. Adoration longs for Loving Presence. With longing, place our minds before the mirror of eternity. The world today can be blessed by those who breathe a peaceful vibration into the atmosphere. A “distraction” could be calling us to take what is coming to mind and bless it so that we can place it before the mirror of eternity. We must breathe now––breathe again and again. We must be still…and place our minds before the mirror of eternity.

O Loving Presence, please still my heart so my eyes can see. Still my mind so that wisdom can come. Still my body so that Divine Love can grow. Still my desires so that Christ is manifested in the universe. O Loving Presence, please still my heart so my eyes can see. Still my mind so that wisdom can come to me. Still my body so that Divine Love can grow. Still my desires so that the universe becomes a mirror of eternity. 

Take time to breathe—at the red light, in the long grocery line, and so on. When your mind seems cluttered, remember to breathe and bring stillness into your life and into the universe. When you find yourself racing around, breathe and slow your body so adoration can blossom.

—from the book Eucharistic Adoration: Reflections in the Franciscan Tradition 
by Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration