The Turning of the Tide

Commissioned by St Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Pacific Palisades, CA
Premiered at Durham Cathedral, UK

Leave me alone with God as much as may be.
As the tide draws the waters close in upon the shore,
Make me an island, set apart,
alone with you, God, holy to you.

Then with the turning of the tide
prepare me to carry your presence to the busy world beyond, the world that rushes in on me
till the waters come again and fold me back to you.

—St Aidan of Lindisfarne (c.590-651)