Silent Sunday
Streams in the Wasteland
The theme for this Silent Sunday is the invitation to remain in the seeming wasteland of quiet presence, allowing the streams of living water to seep into our hearts from God's Heart
Opening music:
Invitational Opening Prayer:
The Infinite Presence calls: Pause. Rest. Stop.
No matter what you are doing,
No matter how sacred or urgent the task,
Take time to: Pause. Rest. Stop.
This is a matter of life and death for you and all beings.
Pause to be grateful, pause to be amazed.
Rest so that calm can enter the body.
Rest so that discernment can rise, and decisions can be made with thoughtful care.
Stop to realign with the Sacred and recommit to compassion, love and generosity.
Pause. Rest. Stop.
Because you are needed.
Your gifts are essential
As together we create a place for the Divine to dwell
Within and among us
In this beautiful and broken world.
(by Rabbi Yael Levy)
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 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:
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: Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Reading 2: Lost In The Wilderness (by Rumi)
Oh lovers, where are you going?
Who are you looking for?
Your Beloved is right here!
She lives in your own neighbourhood
Her face is veiled
She hides behind screens calling for you
While you search and lose yourself
In the wilderness and the desert
Cease looking for flowers!
There blooms a garden in your own home
While you go looking for trinkets
The treasure house awaits you in your own being
There is no need for suffering
God is here.
For Further Reflection:
Below are the quote from the talk and an additional quote for you to reflect further on this theme.
Angelus Silesius:
"Be still and empty: God shall fill you with far greater fullness than you could ever wish or will."
Thomas Merton:
"I am the utter poverty of God.
I am God's emptiness, littleness, nothingness, lostness.
When this is understood, my life in God's freedom,
the self-emptying of God in me is the fullness of grace.
A love for God that knows no reason because God is the fullness of grace."
Ending prayer:
Loving Infinite Presence,
May we remember to pause, rest and stop,
So that calm can enter our bodies,
So that discernment can rise,
and decisions can be made with thoughtful care.
May we renew our intention to align with Your Heart,
and recommit to compassion, love and generosity.
We offer our gifts, as together we create a place for Your Presence to dwell,
Within and among us;
As together we become Your stream in the wilderness
in this beautiful and broken world.
Amen.
Ending music:
Lyrics:
God is our refuge and strength
an ever present help in trouble
therefore we do not fear
though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea
though it's waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging
There is a river
whose streams make glad
the city of God
the holy place
where the Most High dwells.
We would appreciate any donations so that we can continue making resources like this available at no cost.
Donate here...
A very warm thank you to all of you who have donated so generously.
To see a list of additional resources click here...
If you are not already on our mailing list you can subscribe here...
Sharon's book that was previously called "Contemplative Living" has been republished by AnamChara Books under the title "Deeper: Finding the Depth Dimension Beneath the Surface of Life". The Kindle version is available from Amazon, and the hard copy version can be ordered from loot.co.za or Takealot, or from your local bookshop through Ingram Distribution.