A Liturgy for the Washing of Windows

Written by Douglas McKelvey from his book, “Every Moment Holy, Vol. 1”

Ah, bright clarity of Christ, who illuminates our deep shadows,

whose glowing grace seeks out the cobwebbed corners of our souls,

whose luminous and loving presence fills all surrendered spaces

so that warmth and radiance abound,

meet us now in the washing of windows.

As we labor to cleanse glass panes of grimes smeared and blearing,

call us to consider, O Lord of light,

the same work of your Word and of your Spirit,

ever cleansing our hearts, our inclinations, our habits,

of such stain as would block the passage of your light through our lives.

Meet us now, O Lord, in the washing of windows.

In the small toil, call us to contemplate how the glass is not set in the window frame

in order to be seen, but to be seen through.

Then show us how our lives also have been fitted

to their various frames in times and places of your choosing

that your glory might in those places be evidenced.

Meet us now, O Lord, in the washing of windows.

Your children are the windows through which the world sees you best.

Ever cleanse and sanctify us therefore,

not that we might be noticed for our virtues,

but that your light through us might

be ever more clearly witnessed,

your radiance and your beauty

unclouded by our sin.

Meet us now, O Lord, in the washing of windows.

Meet us and make of us more fitting casements for the coursings of your eternal light.

Amen.

— Douglas McKelvey , “A Liturgy for the Washing of Windows” — “Every Moment Holy, Vol. 1”