Silent Sunday
Peace beyond understanding
In this reflection we explore the peace of God that is beyond understanding, and how this differs from peaceful emotional states, or conducive circumstances or conditions that come and go.
Opening music:
Lyrics:
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you.
Everything changes, I alone remain.
Hold patience, for nothing is wasted,
Presence in all things, I'm with you in all things.
Introduction Talk:
Quiet Prayer
You can choose between a ten minute or twenty minute guided prayer, using the links below.
Listen to the following music as an ending to the time of prayer:
Lyrics:
There is a peace that can be found
That does not depend on the conditions of peace
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: Psalm 4 extracts
Answer me when I call, O Beloved of my heart!
You enveloped me in Love when I was in dire distress.
Be gracious to me now; hear my prayer!
Love hears when our hearts cry out.
Though you may feel angry, do not give in to fear;
Commune with the Heart of your heart as you rest; be in silence.
Bask in the stillness.
In peace will I spend my days and sleep at night;
For You alone, my Beloved, teach me the way of Love!
~ From Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill
Reading 2:
“Peace is present right here and now,
in ourselves and in everything we do and see.
Every breath we take, every step we take,
can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity.
The question is whether or not we are in touch with it.
We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
For Further Reflection:
Below are the quotes from the talk for you to take this theme further.
Philippians 4:7: "...the peace of God, which is beyond all understanding".
Cynthia Bourgeault wrote: "Just beyond the storms of personal chaos lies the profound Indwelling power of love, the Source and true Centre."
James Finley:
"We should never romanticise trauma with spiritual sayings, it is a horrible thing, it matters that you get as free from it as you possibly can. But you can go through that evolving process in such a way that it becomes a very mysterious place, namely the place at which your inner peace is no longer dependant on the outcome. And how are we to discover, now it's our turn, how can I become, like the hero of the human spirit, that looks out on a sometimes cruel but always beautiful and mysterious world, and offers myself."
Ending Prayer:
In the busyness of this day grant me a stillness of seeing, O God.
In the conflicting voices of my heart grant me a calmness of hearing.
Let my seeing and hearing, my words and actions,
be rooted in a silent certainty of your presence.
Let my passions for life and the longings for justice that stir within me be grounded in the experience of your stillness.
Let my life be rooted in the ground of your peace, O God,
let me be rooted in the depths of your peace.
Amen.
(By John Philip Newell)
Ending music:
[Breathe peace on others who may be with you, and on our world, as you pray with this song]
Song lyrics:
Peace, peace,
My peace I leave you, My peace I give you,
Peace, peace.
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