When thinking about sacred space, the first things that typically come to mind are churches and chapels, or perhaps nature where I encounter God near a body of water or while walking in the woods. These spaces certainly are sacred, are places where it is good to pray, to seek God, and to experience his loving presence. But, as I have matured, both in my life and in my faith, I have come to realize how much important it is to also create sacred space in my own home.
The Church teaches that the home is the domestic church, and in the house- blessings given when moving into a new home this prayer is said, “When Christ took flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary, he made his home with us. Let us now pray that he will enter this home and bless it with his presence. May he always be here among us; may he nurture our love for each other, share in our joys, comfort us in our sorrows. Inspired by his teachings and example, let us seek to make our home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ.”
If we are going to invite the Lord to make his dwelling among us, then we must make space for him. There are a variety of ways in which we can do this, many of which are quite simple. God is truth, beauty, and goodness, so when we bring those things into our home, we make it a place where he can dwell. Beauty is the most tangible of these transcendentals, the easiest to fill our homes with, in a concrete way. Sacred art, paintings and sculptures of Jesus, Mary, and the Saints remind us of their presence in our life, to look to them both as examples and for help along our pilgrim way. These can be placed throughout our house but also can be concentrated in a specific area that is designated for prayer. Some people set up altars in their living room or create a prayer room in an office or spare bedroom.
Truth also belongs throughout the house. The bookcase is an obvious place, but quotes from scripture and the saints can be taped on bathroom mirrors and over kitchen sinks. The most mundane places can be made to places where we hear the voice of God and are reminded to lift our hearts and mind to him. A bible, catechism, and various sacred literature kept near where one regularly prays also serve to deepen or connection to truth.
As we encounter beauty and truth throughout our homes, goodness also grows. Goodness grows in our souls, in the way in which we respond to others, in our attitudes towards our daily tasks and chores. And in all of this we find Jesus, dwelling with us. Emmanuel, making his home in our home.
Prose for the sake of Poetry 