Silent Sunday Service:
Yes and Thankyou (Advent theme)
This silent Sunday is based around the theme of advent, where we prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ, not only in the historical sense, as the baby Jesus born in Bethlehem, but as the birth within our own hearts of Immanuel, God with us.
We will look at this theme in two parts:
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Part 1: Yes
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Part 2: Thankyou
I invite you to begin this quiet morning by listening to the following piece of music, as a way of becoming still and receptive:
PART 1: Yes
Time: 11 minutes
CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO LISTEN TO THIS AS A SOUND FILE
Guided prayer practice:
The following is a guided practice on the theme of "Yes". This leads into a time of silent prayer which will end with three gong sounds.
Music:
End this time of prayer by listening to the following song, while continuing with this attitude of receptivity for the whole of your life.
Lyrics:
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be…
And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me
Shinin' until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And let it be…
PART 2: Thankyou
Time: 4 minutes
CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO LISTEN TO THIS AS A SOUND FILE
Listen to the following song as a prayer of gratitude:
Lyrics:
The sun is rising in the east
And the feathered flutes begin trilling in the trees
And I sing to love / Sing to give love
Sing to hold love / Sing to be love
In the morning, thank you, thank you
In the evening, thank you, thank you
In the middle of the day, thank you, thank you
In the deep dark night, thank you, thank you
The sun is shining in the south
And I breathe you in, and I breathe you out
And I breathe in love / Breathe out to give love
Breathe in to hold love / Breathe out to be love
The sun is setting in the west
And the birds begin to sing their rhapsody of rest
And I rest in love / Rest to give love
Rest to hold love / Rest to be love
Mizmor shir leyom haShabbat
In the morning, halleluja
In the evening, halleluja
In the middle of the day, halleluja
In the deep dark night, halleluja
And I sing to love / Sing to give love
Sing to hold love / Sing to be love
Breathe in love / Breathe out to give love
Breathe in to hold love / Breathe out to be love
Rest in love / Rest to give love
Rest to hold love / Rest to be love
In the morning, halleluja
In the evening, halleluja
In the middle of the day, halleluja
In the deep dark night, halleluja
Breathing prayer of Yes and Thankyou
We can pray “Yes” and “Thankyou” as a breathing prayer:
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On an in-breath we say "Yes", as a prayer of unconditional receptivity to the moment and to the presence of God.
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On the out-breath we say "Thank you", as a prayer of open-hearted giving of our gratitude in return, and giving of ourselves to the moment, to God and to one another.
You can use the following 10 minute timer as you pray this prayer. At the end of 10 minutes you will hear the sound of three gongs.
For further reflection:
The following are quotes from the talks that you may want to reflect on further:
Angelus Silesius:
“If Christ were born a thousand times in Bethlehem, and not in you, you remain lost”.
Sebastian Painadath:
"Heart is a birthing chamber. We are called to become not only children of God, but mothers of God as well, giving birth to God."
Angelus Silesius:
"If in your heart you make a manger for his birth then God will once again become a child on earth."
Luke 1:38
“I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me as you have said."
Luke 1:48
"God has been mindful of the humble state of this servant."
Thomas Merton:
“One of the most important—and most neglected—elements in the beginnings of the interior life is the ability to respond to reality, to see the value and the beauty in ordinary things, to come alive to the splendour that is all around us.”
Angelus Silesius:
"God is born in me; through the Spirit I am made mother of God. I am child of God, and God becomes my child too. I am born of God, and God blossoms in me. It is a grace to be born of God and to give birth to God."
Ending prayer/music:
Listen to the following song as an ending prayer:
Lyrics:
Come and speak to us, come and renew us
Come and live through us, Emmanuel
Grace to implore us, ever before us
Come and restore us, Emmanuel
Come Emmanuel
Come Emmanuel
Come Emmanuel
Come Emmanuel
Once mercy found us, still You astound us
Hold and surround us, Emmanuel
Living inside us, faithful to guide us
Cover and hide us, Emmanuel
Come Emmanuel
Come Emmanuel
Come Emmanuel
Come
Love that begins us, pardons and wins us
Come and reign in us, Emmanuel
Come and speak to us, fill and renew us
Come and live through us, Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
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