Matariki Celebration Prayer
By Michelle Tili | Posted: Tuesday July 18, 2023
E te Atua, God of the cycles and patterns of the universe and all living things whose ways we only begin to comprehend, open our hearts to the wonder of the natural world, to your incarnation throughout creation, and to your presence with and in us now.
Matariki is a cluster of stars; Let the heavens be glad.
Matariki is a time of year; Let the earth rejoice, let the seas and all that is in them roar.
Matariki is a time of remembering. Be still and know that I am God.
Matariki is a new beginning; let the fields and all that is in them exult. Let all the trees
of the forests shout for joy.
Matariki is the eye of God; O God, what variety you have created, arranging everything
so wisely. The Earth is filled with your creativity.
Matariki is a time of seeing both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight
and the sun. You set the boundaries of the earth and you made both summer and
winter.
Matariki is a time of rejoicing All creatures depend on you to feed them at the proper
time. Open your hand, they are well satisfied.
The new light of Matariki has risen!
May it be to you a sign of resurrection and new life.
May it be to you a sign of hope in times of darkness.
May it be to you a sign of the wondrous mystery of te Atua who loves you.
May it be to you a sign that the eyes of the Eternal One are ever upon you and that the
presence of the Holy One is ever with you. And may this be the cause of your
rejoicing. Go in peace.
Through Christ and in the perfect unity with the Holy Spirit and God the Father, we pray.
Amen