A flame of love

A small hearth with one flame being lit at dawn, the light spreading outward in soft rings to touch tiny unlit candles waiting all around it.

God, I’ll light my fire this morning with your holy angels around me, without spite, without jealousy, without envy, without fear or terror of anyone under the sun, because the holy Son of God is my shield. God, light a flame of love in my heart for the people around me: for my enemy, my friend and all my family, for the brave, for the cheat and for the slave. Son of lovely Mary, light it for everyone, from the humblest living thing to the Name that’s highest of all. Amen.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Luke 6:35 (BSB)

Adapted from the Carmina Gadelica (1900), in plain words. The verse is from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). Drawing: Mutter.