Good Evening Dear Family of Love!
Happy Monday ! Some days it isn't easy putting together a blog, doing house work, and keeping to a rule of life and routine. For those of us who have been confronting chronic illness it is understandable but still it can become an excuse to do nothing. I'm here to tell you we only need to do some kind of task each day to keep us on track. De-Cluttering is a necessary part in one's rule of life. It keeps us focused on what truly is necessary for our lives, what things to keep and what things to discard. When we read the lessons for the feast day of Benedict of Nursia we find ourselves confronted with the concept of obedience or as he put it "Listening with the ear of the heart!" Being obedient to God is a powerful tool that we need to use when we face de-cluttering. Yes friends Jesus believed in living lightly, traveling lightly, not being so hung up on possessions that you can't follow Him on the journey He is calling us to do. I'm learning to do with less and be a new monastic in my house. I haven't bought anything unnecessary for awhile. It is a gift of learning to live without to gain much and be a better disciple and follower of Jesus. I didn't think I could do it but I can and I'm a better person for it. If you are interested in what the Benedictine Rule of Life consists of here is a link:
Benedict's Rule
We all need to come up with some kind of Rule of Life that makes us stay on the path with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I'm know it's difficult but we must try it keeps our love energy up and our focus clear. Tonight let's begin to create our own rule of life that will keep us on the path. Google Rules of Life and see what you can see. It doesn't have to be complex, all it needs to be is sincere and have the right ingredients to expand our relationship with God and each other and all our family members throughout the world. The central focus should be built around the CALM Principle where we must be (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful) Think on and do these things always! We need to love our neighbors (family members), Do good to our enemies. Serve the least of these. Feed everyone spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Practice random acts of kindness and give from our hearts and heart homes. Hold possessions lightly without hoarding and live simply. Go without to gain much! Make your days holy, live your lives holy, treat everyone you meet as another one of God's creation and see God in everyone. Practice radical compassion and stewardship of the earth (God's Cathedral of Life) De-clutter, conserve, and reduce dependence upon things. You will see, feel, and be healthier. Now let us turn to our time of prayer which is a must in our rule of life.
Let us begin once again with our mindfulness time:
5- 10 minute sit.
Use a timer, mindfulness app, or musical selection.
Today's mindfulness musical selection is this:
Gregorian Chants
Be still and know that I am God!
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Inhale Slowly
Hold
Exhale Gently
Pause
Repeat.
Jesus said: “If any of you would come after me, deny yourself and
take up your cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34
You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but citizens together
with the saints and members of the household of God.
Ephesians 2:19
God is Spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and
in truth. John 4:24
Light of the World Phos hilaron
Light of the world, in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days.
God as we meet together this evening and light our candles let us be at prayer and by your loving grace be purified, empowered, fed and watered by the living waters that course through our veins.God cleanse our bodies, minds, and spirits as we begin another week and that we may continue to work towards reconciliation, unity, be made to live as CALM (Compassionate, accepting, Loving, and merciful ) beings. We pray this night for the courage to sit down with our many family members who may feel alienation, hatred, misunderstood, and feared. May we practice obedience as your servant St. Benedict and "listen with the ear of the heart!" May our hearts be open this week and be expanding to include more of our family members and even those with whom we find ourselves on the opposite side of the bridge. May we begin to walk towards each other and meet one another step by step until we meet half way and allow for your spirit to empower our hearts and not be afraid to show vulnerability and see you in each other's eyes. May we embrace each other and recognize that the heart beat we hear is from you as is beats out its special cadence of love, mercy, peace, and hope. We pray these and all other prayers this night on holy ground, prayed by your holy family , in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.
Psalm 119:129–136
Mirabilia
129 Your decrees are wonderful; *
therefore I obey them with all my heart.
therefore I obey them with all my heart.
130 When your word goes forth it gives light; *
it gives understanding to the simple.
it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant; *
I long for your commandments.
I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me in mercy, *
as you always do to those who love your Name.
as you always do to those who love your Name.
133 Steady my footsteps in your word; *
let no iniquity have dominion over me.
let no iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Rescue me from those who oppress me, *
and I will keep your commandments.
and I will keep your commandments.
135 Let your countenance shine upon your servant *
and teach me your statutes.
and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears, *
because people do not keep your law.
because people do not keep your law.
Proverbs 2:1-9
My child, if you accept my words
and treasure up my commandments within you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
if you indeed cry out for insight,
and raise your voice for understanding;
if you seek it like silver,
and search for it as for hidden treasures—
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly,
guarding the paths of justice
and preserving the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path;
Wisdom 10:15-19,20b-21
Wisdom freed from a nation of oppressors *
a holy people and a blameless race.
She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, *
withstood dread rulers with wonders and signs.
To the saints she gave the reward of their labors, *
and led them by a marvelous way;
She was their shelter by day *
and a blaze of stars by night.
She brought them across the Red Sea, *
she led them through mighty waters;
But their enemies she swallowed in the waves *
and spewed them out from the depths of the abyss.
And then, Lord, the righteous sang hymns to your Name, *
and praised with one voice your protecting hand;
For Wisdom opened the mouths of the mute, *
and gave speech to the tongues of a new-born people.
Philippians 2:12–16
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
A Song of God’s Love
1 John 4:7-11
Beloved, let us love one another, *
for love is of God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, *
for God is Love.
In this the love of God was revealed among us, *
that God sent his only Son into the world,
so that we might live through Jesus Christ.
In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us *
and sent his Son that sins might be forgiven.
Beloved, since God loved us so much, *
we ought also to love one another.
For if we love one another, God abides in us, *
and God’s love will be perfected in us
Luke 14:27–33
Jesus said to the crowd, "Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, `This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions."
A Song of Our True Nature
Julian of Norwich
Christ revealed our frailty and our falling, *
our trespasses and our humiliations.
Christ also revealed his blessed power, *
his blessed wisdom and love.
He protects us as tenderly and as sweetly when we are in greatest need; *
he raises us in spirit
and turns everything to glory and joy without ending.
God is the ground and the substance, the very essence of nature; *
God is the true father and mother of natures.
We are all bound to God by nature, *
and we are all bound to God by grace.
And this grace is for all the world, *
because it is our precious mother, Christ.
For this fair nature was prepared by Christ
for the honor and nobility of all, *
and for the joy and bliss of salvation
Everlasting God, we give you thanks for the purity and humility with which you endowed your servant Benedict: Grant us grace, in union with his example and prayers, to hallow and conform our souls and bodies to the purpose of your most holy will; through Christ our Lord.
Loving God we come before you this night with our hearts and minds fixed on your broken world that is in need of peace, healing, and reconciliation.
We pray for our family members throughout the world who are refugees and those who care fro them and give them compassionate and loving aid. May we welcome the stranger and refugee in our midst.
We pray that we may have loving and tender hearts to love all our brothers and sister whomever they may be and wherever they come from.
Help us not to discriminate against your children. Remembering that we are your children and part of the family of God too.
God we pray for the healing of divisions and that we all may be one with each other and with You O, God.
We pray for the healing of all who are ill in body, mind , and spirit that their sufferings may be relieved and comforted.
We pray for all care givers of every stripe and that they may ask for help and be given respite.
We pray for our vulnerable family members and that includes our animal family members.
We pray that we may protect your Cathedral of Life and become better at conservation.
We pray for rain in all the drought parched areas of our country and the world.
We pray for all who travel and for traveling mercies as they move from place to place.
We pray for peace in all the holy places of the Middle East and that wars and violence may cease.
We pray for an end to violence in all its forms in our country and throughout the world.
May we remember the words of St. Francis of Assisi :
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen
We pray especially for those who are dying and those who have entered the Thin Places this day and in the day past.
We pray for all who mourn and those who sit vigil at bedside of those who are dying.
We remember all those who have asked us to pray for especially we offer our prayers on their behalf especially those whom we name now ______________________
We give thanks to you O God for _____________________
We pray and remember the words of the Beatitudes.
The Beatitudes
5 When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[b] on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
We lift up these our prayers in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
or these:
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
God we pray for peace your broken world.
May peace and love prevail.
God we pray for women and children and the most vulnerable who are in danger or abuse.
May peace, love, and compassionate care prevail.
God we pray for our enemies and our enemies' family members who are caught in war's cross hairs.
May peace and love prevail.
God we pray for all refugees, captives, and all who are victims of human trafficking.
May they be set free to live in safety and may peace and love prevail.
God we pray for all of our leaders that they may stop legislating cruelty and be aware that when they are hurting another human or living being they are hurting and doing violence to you.
May justice roll down and may peace and love prevail
God we pray for all of us who are struggling to live out in the open as the beautiful children whom God has made. May we not be afraid to live authentically into our own truth.
May we have strength and courage to be ourselves and may peace, justice, equality, and love prevail.
God we pray for all who are ill in body mind and spirit may they be healed of all their infirmities!
May health and healing take place and may love and peace prevail in our bodies, minds, and spirits.
God we pray for all who are in mourning over any kind of loss.
May love ,comfort and peace prevail in their hearts.
God we pray this night for all who are homeless, hungry, and ill clad.
May we lovingly respond to their needs and may they find shelter from the cold and nourishment for their bodies.
God we add our thanksgivings, thoughtful thoughts, and additional prayers________________
Let us lift these our prayers in the Name of Jesus, our brother, friend, savior, teacher, and healer. Amen.
Or these!
Let us continue to be at prayer.
God is Love and Love is God, may we love you with a gentle and childlike spirit.
God is Love and Love is God, may we love our family members with a loving heart and a welcoming heart home.
God is Love and Love is God, may we learn to love ourselves and treat ourselves with gentleness and without shame.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for all who are ill and in any distress of body, mind, and spirit.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for peace in this fragile and broken world.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for all refugees, captives, victims of terror,violence, abuse, and human trafficking.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for all who are being persecuted by virtue of their sexuality and gender. May they be afforded all human rights and acceptance.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for all who are mourning and who are pre-grieving.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for all who are dying and who have died may they enjoy with joy their new mansion fit for them and in the Thin Places.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for__________________________
God is Love and Love is God , we give thanks for_______________________
God is Love and Love is God, we life up these our prayers in the Name of Jesus who is Love incarnate. Amen.
Matthew 5 The Message (MSG)
You’re Blessed
5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.
The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis
Luke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Wisdom of God
the Love of God
and the Grace of God
strengthen you
to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,
in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.
(source: Celtic)
God’s Blessing be with you,
Christ’s peace be with you,
the Spirit’s outpouring be with you,
now and always. Amen.
(source: Celtic)
++++
Good Night Loved Ones! May you find rest for your souls and take time creating your own rule of life that will feed you and others. I love you and am grateful to you this day and always.
Love and blessings,
Sara
P.S. We will repeat the same lessons tomorrow with a different version.
Resources:
Book of Common Prayer
Enriching our Worship.
YouTube
LectionaryPage.net
Walk With Me On Our Journey
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