Rainbow People

When the rainbow appears in the clouds I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between me and all living beings on earth. That is the sign of the promise I am making to all living beings. Genesis 9: 16

My heart does indeed leap up when I see a rainbow in the sky. The wonder of a rainbow lies in its ethereal beauty, the harmony of its colours, its arching providence, its hidden depths. Pagans sense a primal meaning in a rainbow; but why should they take to themselves titles that more truly belong to followers of the God of the rainbow? For Christians, a rainbow is a sign of God’s blessing, a prism of unity, and a mirror of the many coloured human personality made in God’s image.

Red is the colour of sacrificial love. As Christ spilt his blood for us, so we are to ‘spill’ what we own and share it with our sisters and brothers.
Orange is the signal of our love. It is our witness to Christ in word and action.
Yellow is the root of our love – prayer. It may seem weak or pale. Some people will overlook it or laugh at it. We must not be paralysed by this dismissive attitude, for it has a glory all its own; without it, the other colours would be nothing.
Green is the off-shoot of our love – the nurture of life in our bodies and in the eternal things we steward. When something gets out of order in any organism it loses its health. Foster and guard vitality.
Blue is the setting of love – it is the creating of a beautiful stable environment. Our dress should enhance the features of our God-given personality. Our homes should reflect the artistry of our souls, and so draw others towards the author of our soul.
Indigo is the thinking of love – it is our study, our wisdom, our spiritual discipline.
Violet is the communion of love. It is good communication. It is like the electric current that can link up the world.
Inspired by Chiara Lubich and the Focolare spirituality

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art –
thou my best thought, by day or by night;
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father; thine own may I be,
thou in me dwelling and I one with thee.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;
thou mine inheritance, now and always;
thou and thou only first in my heart,
high King of heaven, my treasure thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all
9th century Irish