Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

A voice says, ‘Cry out!’
   And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’
All people are grass,
   their constancy is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
   when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
   surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades;
   but the word of our God will stand for ever.

Isaiah 40:6–8

Module Three: Weaving Joy

Study:

In preparation for this week's liturgy, please read “The Many Errors of Einstein” in There are Places in the World Where Rules are Less Important Than Kindness by Carlo Rovelli. Please read the Wisdom for the Way essay titled, “Weaving Joy” found here.

After you have completed the above, choose one or more of the the following:

• “Ali Hussain-Mashing Sufism and Whitehead’s Process Theology,” on Cobb Institute

• “The secret language of trees,” video from TedEd

• “What is IFS Therapy?” video with Dr. Tori Olds

• “The Peace of Wild Things” Wendell Berry

The Liturgy

Humble Peace

A voice cries out:
‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
   make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
   and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
   and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
   and all people shall see it together,
   for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’

Isaiah 40:3–5

Opening Prayer

Hope for all creation, we implore you to come. We are your people, your stones, your whirling galaxies, show us the graciousness of your love.
Amen.

Confession

Prince of Peace, we confess that we have valued our capacity to define truth as we see it as our crowning glory when you have called us to love. We have mistaken opinions for wisdom and conformity for discernment. Teach us to love, not so that people will see you, but so that we will see you.

Amen.

Passing of the Peace

Exchange this acknowledgment of confession.

From the freedom of confession, I greet the Christ in you.
From the freedom of confession, I greet the Christ in you.

The Inquiry

These questions will be used each week to guide a time of sharing. If you are unable to share, please raise two clasped hands and the other participants will offer you a blessing.

What are you thankful for?

What brings you peace?

After each person shares, the group will offer a blessing to each person:

[Person’s name], in the name of Jesus Christ know you are beloved of God 

The Reflection

Read aloud:

The Practice

Each week, participants will be offered a spiritual practice in the Spirited Words Substack Newsletter.

For Thought

“‘Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days?’ (Ps. 34:13) If you hear this and your answer is ‘I do,’ God then directs these words to you: if you desire true and eternal life, ‘keep your tongue free from vicious talk and you lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim.’ (Ps. 34:14–15”

(Chittister, The Rule of Benedict, p. 10–11)

Read Aloud:

The Peace of Wild Things

By Wendell Berry

The Response

These questions can be used to help the group engage with the reflection.

• Where does scarcity come from?

• Which adjective do you use to describe Divinity?

• How can we become aware of our inner variety? What does that mean for encountering the other?

After each person shares, the group will offer a blessing to each person:

Christ, give us the courage to hear and be heard.

Responsive Reading

A. The voices of the wounded are pressing.

B. There is wisdom in compassion.

A. The night is dark.

B. There is wisdom in resting.

A. The flow of the water is ceaseless.

B: There is wisdom in entering the river.

Closing Prayer

The nights are long and we are waiting, so we light a candle and whisper a prayer. Hope, we ask that you teach us to hear all the voices of wisdom in our midst.

Amen.

Blessing

In our gathering and in our going, be with us.