Silent Sunday
Heart of Wonder
Richard Rohr describes that people who live their lives open to wonder have a greater chance of meeting the Holy. This silent Sunday is an invitation to open your hearts to wonder, through paying attention with child-like receptivity.
Opening music:
Introduction Talk:
Quiet Prayer
You can choose between a 10 and a 20 minute time of quiet prayer using the links below. If you find your mind wandering, gently let go of your thoughts and return to the wonder of being present and open, through awareness of your breath or your sacred word.
Listen to the following music as an ending to the time of prayer:
Lyrics:
Can't see the stars anymore living here
Let's go to the hills where the outlines are clear
Bring on the wonder, bring on the song
I pushed you down deep in my soul for too long
Fell through the cracks at the end of our street
Let's go to the beach, get the sand through our feet
Bring on the wonder, bring on the song
I pushed you down deep in my soul for too long
Bring on the wonder, we got it all wrong
We pushed you down deep in our souls for too long
I don't have the time for a drink from the cup
Let's rest for a while 'til our souls catch us up
Bring on the wonder, bring on the song
I pushed you down deep in my soul for too long
Bring on the wonder, we got it all wrong
We pushed you down deep in our souls, so hang on
Bring on the wonder, bring on the song
I pushed you down deep in my soul for too long.
Sacred Reading:
Read the following readings through twice or three times, with an attitude of open receptivity. Allow a few minutes of silence between the readings. Listen for any words that call out to you, or that draw you into the sacredness of silence that is deeper than your usual knowing:
Reading 1: A Blessing for Presence (extracts)
Awaken to the mystery of being here
and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
Have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
Receive encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
Respond to the call of your gift and the courage to follow its path.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame.
Take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
Be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.
~ John O’Donohue
Reading 2: Psalm 8
O God, our Beloved, how wondrous is your Name in all the earth!
You, whose glory is sung in heaven,
Who with the innocence and spontaneity of a child,
Confound those who are mighty and proud.
When I look up at the heavens, at the work of Love's creation,
at the infinite variety of your Plan;
What is woman that you rejoice in her, and man that you delight in him?
You have made us in your image, You fill us with your Love;
You have made us co-creators of the earth, guardians of the planet;
all that You have made, You have placed in our hands.
O God our Beloved, how awesome is your Name in all the earth!
~ Adapted from Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill
Meditation walk
Take a slow walk outside. Pay attention to the feel of the wind, or the grass under your feet, the sound of birdsong, or some other aspect of nature. Make an offering of your attention, as you stand on this holy ground. Allow yourself to be astonished by what you see, filled with wonder as if seeing with the eyes of a child.
For Further Reflection:
Below are the quotes from the talk and some additional quotes for you to take this theme further.
Mary Oliver:
"Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it."
Matthew 18:3:
“Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew Fox:
“Awe is the beginning of wisdom, and a life of wisdom is predicated on a tasting of awe and a celebrating of awe as our primary spiritual experience."
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel:
"What we lack is not a will to believe but a will to wonder. ... Behold not only in order to explain, to fit what we see into our notions; behold in order to stand face to face with the beauty and grandeur of the universe.”
"The immense preciousness of being…is not an object of analysis but a cause of wonder.”
Ending Prayer:
Wondrous God, our Creator and Sustainer,
May we be so filled with wonder
at the immense preciousness of being,
at the beauty and life-giving faithfulness of our home, this Earth,
that we honour you and all of life by offering ourselves
in service to the well-being and dignity of all.
May our lives be for wonder,
May our lives be for healing,
May our lives be for peace,
Amen
Ending music:
Song lyrics:
O Lord my God
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds
Thy hands have made,
I see the stars,
I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow’r throughout
The universe displayed!
Chorus
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art!
When through the woods
And forest glades I wander
And hear the birds
Sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down
From lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook
And feel the gentle breeze,
Chorus...
When Christ shall come
With shout of acclamation
And take me home,
What joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow
In humble adoration
And there proclaim,
My God, how great Thou art!
Chorus...
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