Light a Candle, or enjoy these.
Grab some paper or a journal and something to doodle with.
As you experience the Taizé Prayer Service here online, I invite you to take some deep breaths in and out, focus on taking in all that is good, and releasing all that worries you and cause angst. Watch the flame on your candle or the ones on the screen, and focus.
Our theme today is one that may seem almost impossible. You may be thinking, don’t worry, yeah right! But I do think that it is important during this time to consider that God, Jesus and even the Apostle Paul have touched on this idea. We may not be able to stop thinking about the changes in our lives right now, this idea of social distancing, and being taken out of our routines, but we can listen and work to allow this truth to work in our lives. And while I believe we need to follow the advice and counsel of the medical experts and follow the rules that are being put before us, we do not have to let this worry overwhelm us. Ultimately, our God offers us salvation for our life eternal, not salvation from illness and things of this world, but our trust and faith in God can make what we face bearable, and give us peace that we can share with those around us.
As you are ready, click on the other links, and let the music, scripture, reflection and time of meditation draw you closer to God and remember that we have been told, Don’t Worry; Have Peace.
This has sort of become our theme for Taizé Tuesdays.
Come and Fill Our Hearts
Come and fill our hearts with your peace
You alone O Lord are holy.
Come and fill our hearts with your peace
Alleluia.
Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
Another song: In Our Darkness
In Our Darkness
In our darkness, there is no darkness.
With you, O Lord, the deepest night is clear as the day.
Somethings to Think About: Reflection and Meditation
God Cares For You:
Relax My Child...
Song and Activity Suggestions for while you listen:
Draw or Paint a Bird, Watch Birds in your yard or on a walk. Leave a comment at the bottom: one sentence that tells us what it means to you to have a peace that guards the heart and the mind.
Stay With Me
Stay with me, remain here with me, watch and pray, watch and pray!
Litany for Intercession and Peace:
LITANY OF TRUST (by Sister Faustina Maria Pia, S.V.)
***
From the belief that I have to earn Your love … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that I am unlovable … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the false security that I have what it takes … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute … Deliver me, Jesus.
From all suspicion of Your words and promises … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You … Deliver me, Jesus.
From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will … Deliver me, Jesus.
From anxiety about the future … Deliver me, Jesus.
From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past … Deliver me, Jesus.
From restless self-seeking in the present moment … Deliver me, Jesus.
From disbelief in Your love and presence … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being asked to give more than I have … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of what love demands … Deliver me, Jesus.
From discouragement … Deliver me, Jesus.
***
That You are continually holding me sustaining me, loving me … Jesus, I trust in you.
That Your love goes deeper than my sins and failings, and transforms me …Jesus, I trust in you.
That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation to lean on You … Jesus, I trust in you.
That you are with me in my suffering … Jesus, I trust in you.
That my suffering, united to Your own, will bear fruit in this life and the next …Jesus, I trust in you.
That You will not leave me orphan, that You are present in Your Church
…Jesus, I trust in you.
That Your plan is better than anything else … Jesus, I trust in you.
That You always hear me, and in Your goodness always respond to me …Jesus, I trust in you.
That You give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others …Jesus, I trust in you.
That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked …Jesus, I trust in you.
That my life is a gift … Jesus, I trust in you.
That You will teach me to trust You … Jesus, I trust in you.
That You are my Lord and my God … Jesus, I trust in you.
That I am Your beloved one … Jesus, I trust in you.
Closing Prayer
Song: Jubilate Deo
Jubilate Deo
Jubilate Deo omni terra.
Servite Domino in laetitia.
Alleluia, alleluia, in laetitia!
Alleluia, alleluia, in laetitia!
Translation:
Raise a song of gladness, peoples of the earth.
Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to ev'ry heart.
Alleluia, alleluia, joy to ev'ry heart!
Alleluia, alleluia, joy to ev'ry heart!
Have a Blessed Day, Evening, Week. Until we are together again, online or in person. I love you all!- Pastor Lori
Thanks Becky. I think there are many moments we can find joy in. For me right now, it is the phone calls with my family, that are not here with me during this time of social distancing (it is hard to not have my children home with me!), and the snuggle of my dog, when he climbs in my lap, all 50 pounds of him! God reminds us that we are not alone!
When I am filled with the peace God freely gives me, I can find joy in the moment--whatever it is.