Wisdom Week Continues! Being Thankful Thursday! With a Little Help from God, Jesus, and Desmond Tutu!

Good Evening Dear Family of Love and God!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Being Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday as we continue Wisdom Week here at Walk With Me On Our Journey. Today we will have words of wisdom from Desmond Tutu. We will continue with our general format and also combine our lessons from the feast of Laurence, Deacon and Martyr. My words aren't as important as the words from God, Jesus and today's Person of Wisdom. Our blogs will be following a similar format each day depending upon the length of scripture and the ebb and flow of the week. We will always be reminded of the CALM Principles as a way focusing and getting us ready for our time of centering and mindfulness. We will be continuing to use Thich Nhat Hanh's Breathing exercises as well. 

Let us begin!

 Let us Sow Seeds of:

C= Compassion
A= Acceptance
L= Love
M = Mercy

Let us speak in words that are:

C= Comforting
A= Appreciative
L= Living and Loving
M= Mindful and Matter

Let our deeds be:
C= Caring and Compassionate
A= Admirable
L=  Life giving
M= Mannerly

Let us choose to live a life of Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy. Let choose to speak in words that are courageous, amiable, enLightening, Mannered, and Make sense and don't harm or divide. Let our deeds be all these things.

+++++

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the
Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2


Let us engage in the Be Stills

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Peace be Still.
Peace be.
Peace.

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Peace be Still.
Peace be.
Peace.

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Peace be Still.
Peace be.
Peace.

“*Breathing in, I know this is my in-breath.
Breathing out, I know this is my out-breath.*

It's very simple, but very effective. When we bring our attention to our in-breath and our out-breath, we stop thinking of the past; we stop thinking of the future; and we begin to come home to ourselves...Don't think this practice doesn't apply to you. If we don't go home to ourselves, we can't be at our best and serve the world in the best way... Our quality of being is the foundation for the quality of our actions.

*Breathing in, I'm aware of my whole body.
Breathing out, I'm aware of my whole body.*

Breathing mindfully brings us back to our bodies. We have to acknowledge our bodies first because tension and suffering accumulate in the body. Breathing in this way, we create a kind of family reunion between mind and body. The mind becomes an embodied mind.

...We can't do our best if we don't know to release the tension and pain in ourselves. 

*Breathing in, I'm aware of the tension in my body.
Breathing out, I'm aware of the tension in my body.*

When we look at the suffering around us, at poverty, violence, or climate change, we may want to solve these things immediately. We want to do something. But to do something effectively and ethically, we need to be our best selves in order to be able to handle the suffering...

*Breathing in, I am aware of a painful feeling arising.
Breathing out, I release the painful feeling.*



This is a nonviolent and gentle way to help our bodies release tension and pain. It is possible to practice mindful breathing in order to produce a feeling of joy, a feeling of happiness. When we are well-nourished and know how to create joy, then we are strong enough to handle the deep pain within ourselves and the world.” 
― Thich Nhat Hanh, Good Citizens: Creating Enlightened Society

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me
will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12



“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” 
― Desmond Tutu

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my
redeemer. Psalm 19:14

“Dear Child of God, I write these words because we all experience sadness, we all come at times to despair, and we all lose hope that the suffering in our lives and in the world will ever end. I want to share with you my faith and my understanding that this suffering can be transformed and redeemed. There is no such thing as a totally hopeless case. Our God is an expert at dealing with chaos, with brokenness, with all the worst that we can imagine. God created order out of disorder, cosmos out of chaos, and God can do so always, can do so now--in our personal lives and in our lives as nations, globally. ... Indeed, God is transforming the world now--through us--because God loves us.” 
― Desmond Tutu, God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time


Thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity,
whose name is Holy,” I dwell in the high and holy place and
also with the one who has a contrite and humble spirit, to
revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the
contrite.” Isaiah 57:15

“It is through weakness and vulnerability that most of us learn empathy and compassion and discover our soul.” 
― Desmond Tutu, God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time

O Gracious Light Phos hilaron

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

It is time for our nightly Virtual Candlelight Prayer Vigil!
Let's light our candles and be at prayer. This night let us pray that we may put God's commandments to love God, one another, ourselves, and our enemies into action. We pray for the needs of this fragile and broken world. We pray for conservation of God's Cathedral of Life that sustains all living things. We pray that we may endeavor to be and bring  the light and love to this troubled nation of ours and continue to to pray and wisely consider the words of the prophet Micah:
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

“Transformation begins in you, wherever you are, whatever has happened, however you are suffering. Transformation is always possible. We do not heal in isolation. When we reach out and connect with one another—when we tell the story, name the hurt, grant forgiveness, and renew or release the relationship—our suffering begins to transform.” 

― Desmond Tutu, The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World

126 In convertendo
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.

3 Then they said among the nations, *
"The Lord has done great things for them."

4 The Lord has done great things for us, *
and we are glad indeed.

5 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, *
like the watercourses of the Negev.

6 Those who sowed with tears *
will reap with songs of joy.

7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.



“Life is more than breath and a heartbeat; meaning and purpose are the life of life.” 
― Desmond Tutu, Made for Goodness: And Why This Makes All the Difference


A Song of Judith
Judith 16:13-16
I will sing a new song to my God, *
for you are great and glorious, wonderful in strength, invincible.
Let the whole creation serve you, *
for you spoke and all things came into being.
You sent your breath and it formed them, *
no one is able to resist your voice.
Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths, *
rocks melt like wax at your presence.
But to those who fear you, *
you continue to show mercy.
No sacrifice, however fragrant, can please you, *
but whoever fears the Lord shall stand in your sight for ever.

Job 29:11-17

¹¹ When the ear heard, it commended me,
   and when the eye saw, it approved; 
¹² because I delivered the poor who cried,
   and the orphan who had no helper. 
¹³ The blessing of the wretched came upon me,
   and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. 
¹⁴ I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;
   my justice was like a robe and a turban. 
¹⁵ I was eyes to the blind,
   and feet to the lame. 
¹⁶ I was a father to the needy,
   and I championed the cause of the stranger. 
¹⁷ I broke the fangs of the unrighteous,
   and made them drop their prey from their teeth.

“child of God, known by name and whose very hairs are numbered. Praise and adore God and thank him for ever and ever. Amen.” 
― Desmond Tutu, An African Prayer Book

2 Corinthians 9:6-10

6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. ⁹As it is written,
‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
   his righteousness^* endures for ever.’ 
¹⁰He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.^*

The Third Song of Isaiah Surge, illuminare
Isaiah 60:1-3, 11a, 14c, 18-19

Arise, shine, for your light has come, *
and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land; *
deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.
But over you the Lord will rise, *
and his glory will appear upon you.
Nations Will stream to your light, *
and kings to the brightness of your dawning.
Your gates will always be open; *
by day or night they will never be shut.
They will call you, The City of the Lord, *
The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Violence will no more be heard in your land, *
ruin or destruction within your borders.
You will call your walls, Salvation, *
and all your portals, Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day; *
by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.
The Lord will be your everlasting light, *
and your God will be your glory.
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.

^{“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” 
― Desmond Tutu}

John 12:24-26

²⁴Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.²⁵Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

The Song of Mary Magnificat

Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant

From this day all generations will call me blessed: *

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers, *

to Abraham and his children for ever.

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.

“There is something in us that refuses to be regarded as less than human. We are created for freedom” 
― Desmond Tutu

PRAYER (contemporary language)  
Almighty God, by whose grace and power your servant Laurence triumphed over suffering and despised death: Grant, we pray, that we, steadfast in service to the poor and outcast, may share with him in the joys of your everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

For Peace

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of

peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel

for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity your dominion

may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your

love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with

you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for

ever. Amen.

For Peace Among the Nations

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the

world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among

them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they

may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

For our Enemies

O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love

our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth;

deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in

your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“When you set out to change the world, the job seems insurmountable, but each of us can do his or her small part to effect change. We change the world when we choose to create a world of forgiveness in our own hearts and minds.” 
― Desmond Tutu, The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World

Prayer for Peace and Harmony 

"O God, all holy one, you are our Mother and our Father and we are your children. Open our eyes and our hearts so that we may be able to discern your work in the universe. And be able to see Your features in every one of Your children. May we learn that there are many paths but all lead to You. Help us to know that you have created us for family, for togetherness, for peace, for gentleness, for compassion, for caring, for sharing.”

 “May we know that You want us to care for one another as those who know that they are sisters and brothers, members of the same family, Your family, the human family. Help us to beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks, so that we may be able to live in peace and harmony, wiping away the tears from the eyes of those who are less fortunate than ourselves. And may we know war no more, as we strive to be what You want us to be: Your children. Amen.” Desmond M. Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa 

Goodness is stronger than evil. Love is stronger than hate. Light is stronger than darkness. Life is stronger than death. Victory is ours through Him who loves us. Amen.

-A Prayer by Desmond Tutu

Disturb Us O Lord – A Prayer By Desmond Tutu

Today’s prayer is attributed to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu adapted from an original prayer by Sir Francis Drake.

Disturb us, O Lord

when we are too well-pleased with ourselves 
when our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little, 
because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, O Lord

when with the abundance of things we possess, 
we have lost our thirst for the water of life 
when, having fallen in love with time, 
we have ceased to dream of eternity 
and in our efforts to build a new earth, 
we have allowed our vision of Heaven to grow dim.

Stir us, O Lord

to dare more boldly, to venture into wider seas 
where storms show Thy mastery, 
where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.

In the name of Him who pushed back the horizons of our hopes 
and invited the brave to follow.

Amen

The Beatitudes  Matthew 5:3–12 

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (5:3)

Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)

Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)

Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10

“After all, we are created in the image of a God who is a diversity of persons who exist in ineffable unity. This” 
― Desmond Tutu, An African Prayer Book

 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.

“Our God is a God who has a bias for the weak, and we who worship this God, who have to reflect the character of this God, have no option but to have a like special concern for those who are pushed to the edges of society, for those who because they are different seem to be without a voice. We must speak up on their behalf, on behalf of the drug addicts and the down-and-outs, on behalf of the poor, the hungry, the marginalized ones, on behalf of those who because they are different dress differently, on behalf of those who because they have different sexual orientations from our own tend to be pushed away to the periphery. We must be where Jesus would be, this one who was vilified for being the friend of sinners.” 
― Desmond Tutu, God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time

Teresa of Avila (1515–1582)

Christ Has No Body

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

“We must be ready to learn from one another, not claiming that we alone possess all truth and that somehow we have a corner on God.” 
― Desmond Tutu

Let us continue with our prayers!


Holy God and creator of us all we come before you this night with whatever burdens and pain we may have. Unburden us an cleanse our bodies, minds, and spirits from all pain and stress.

Holy God and creator of us all we come before you with our prayers for peace and harmony in this fragile and broken world. 

Holy God and creator of us all we pray for all who are refugees, human trafficking, abuse, and victims of all violence and terror.

Holy God and creator of us all we pray for sound government in the nations of the world.

Holy God and creator of us all we pray that we may be more loving and merciful to the least of these.

Holy God and creator of us all we pray that we may be good stewards of your Cathedral of Life.

Holy God and creator of  us all we pray for the vulnerable and marginalized that they may be protected from harm.

Holy God and creator of us all we pray for those who are ill remembering______________

Holy God and creator of us all we give thanks for__________________

Holy God we add our additional prayers and remembrances____________

Accept these our prayers in the name of God our Creator, Jesus the Great Physician, and The Holy Spirit the Advocate. Amen.

“It is through weakness and vulnerability that most of us learn empathy and compassion and discover our soul.” 
― Desmond Tutu, God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time

Or these

Jesus we thank you for showing us how to rest and pray. Help us to not rush and be in a hurry each day that we live, move, or just be. You showed your disciples that they needed to stop the glorification of busy. May we do the same with your help. 

Help us to rest and pray O God.

Jesus we thank  you for showing us how to love others by including and welcoming them to the table.

Help us to love and be welcoming O God.

Jesus we thank you for our many loved ones who now rest with You , God, and the Holy Spirit in the Thin Places.

Help us to know that death isn't to be feared but a part of the holy life cycle. 

Jesus we thank you for your healing hands that you are laying on each of us every day and especially upon those who are ill.

Help us to feel your healing touch and receive it with grace and thanksgiving.

Jesus help us not to be afraid to love but love fearlessly and with joy. 

Help us to show love and say the words I love you often without fear.

May all of our family members know the healing power of  your love and may we love God, our neighbors, and ourselves equally beyond all measure. 

Help us to show the world how to love and be inclusive and that wars may cease and a circle of love, joy, hope, and peace may prevail upon Earth and in our hearts.

Jesus we lift up these our prayers and thanksgivings to you. May we add any other prayers and those on behalf of others now and lay them at your feet and in your loving arms. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer or the alternative is said.

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and for ever.    Amen.

Or

Eternal Spirit, 

Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, 

Source of all that is and that shall be, 

Father and Mother of us all, 

Loving God, in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! 

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples

of the world! 

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! 

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom 

sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us. 

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. 

In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. 

From trials too great to endure, spare us. 

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, 

now and for ever. 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.

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more

than we can ask or imagine: Glory to God from generation to

generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.

Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21

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)

Each day we will add a prayer from our Modern Mystics and Spiritual Guides from other Faiths ! 

A MORNING PRAYER FROM THE DALAI LAMA

by Steve

“Today I am fortunate to be alive.
I have a precious human life;
I am not going to waste it.

I am going to use all my energies to develop myself,
to expand my heart out to others,
to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.

I am going to have kind thoughts towards others.
I am not going to get angry or think badly about others.
I am going to benefit others as much as I can.”

– The 14th Dalai Lama

The Nine Prayers by Thich Nhat Hanh

May I be peaceful, happy, and light in body and spirit.

May I be free from injury. May I live in safety.

May I be free from disturbance, fear, anxiety, and worry.

May I learn to look at myself with the eyes of understanding and love.

May I be able to recognize and touch the seeds of joy and happiness in myself.

May I learn to identify and see the sources of anger, craving, and delusion in myself.

May I know how to nourish the seeds of joy in myself every day.

From Desmond Tutu

“VICTORY IS OURS Goodness is stronger than evil; Love is stronger than hate; Light is stronger than darkness; Life is stronger than death; Victory is ours through Him who loves us. DESMOND TUTU” 
― Desmond Tutu, An African Prayer Book

++++++++

Good Night Beloved Ones! Take time to pray for peace and meditate upon the words of God, Jesus, and the Desmond Tutu today. I love you and give thanks to God for you this day and always. 

Remember these quotes from the Desmond Tutu always:

Your ordinary acts of love and hope point to the extraordinary promise that every human life is of inestimable value.

Desmond Tutu

Forgiving is not forgetting; its actually remembering--remembering and not using your right to hit back. Its a second chance for a new beginning. And the remembering part is particularly important. Especially if you dont want to repeat what happened.

Desmond Tutu

And God says to all of us, you are no chicken; you are an eagle. Fly, eagle, fly. And God wants us to shake ourselves, spread our pinions, and then lift off and soar and rise, and rise toward the confident and the good and the beautiful. Rise towards the compassionate and the gentle and the caring. Rise to become what God intends us to be-eagles, not chickens.

Desmond Tutu

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. – Desmond Tutu

Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning. – Desmond Tutu

We are each made for goodness, love and compassion. Our lives are transformed as much as the world is when we live with these truths. – Desmond Tutu

I certainly know that I would not be able to survive if it were not for the fact that I am being upheld by the prayers of so many people. – Desmond Tutu

God’s dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion. – Desmond Tutu

I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights. – Desmond Tutu

In God’s family, there are no outsiders, no enemies. – Desmond Tutu

God’s love is too great to be confined to any one side of a conflict or to any one religion. – Desmond Tutu

God is not upset that Gandhi was not a Christian, because God is not a Christian! All of God’s children and their different faiths help us to realize the immensity of God. – Desmond Tutu

Hate has no place in the house of God. – Desmond Tutu

The God who existed before any religion counts on you to make the oneness of the human family known and celebrated. – Desmond Tutu

Tomorrow we will have words of wisdom from Rumi ! 

Lots of love and blessings! 

Sara

P.S. a final quote from Desmond Tutu!

Bishop Desmond Tutu on UBUNTU

Desmond Tutu: "We are all connected. What unites us is our common humanity. I don't want to oversimplify things - but the suffering of a mother who has lost her child is not dependent on her nationality, ethnicity or religion. White, black, rich, poor, Christian, Muslim or Jew - pain is pain - joy is joy. In Southern Africa we have a concept called Ubuntu - which is that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. You can't be human all by yourself. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas what you do, what I do, affects the whole world. Taking that a step further, when you do good, it spreads that goodness; it is for the whole of humanity. When you suffer or cause suffering, humanity is diminished as a result."

Resources:

Book of Common Prayer

Enriching our Worship

New Zealand Prayer Book

Quote Sites for Desmond Tutu, 

Thich Nhat Hanh and the Dalai Lama

Walk With Me On Our Journey. 

Satucket Lectionary Page for Lessons and today's Saint of the Day: Laurence Deacon and Martyr