Prayers and Sacred Readings:
"Readings"
Angels
They can fly. Angels have wings and white clothing. They watch over you. Angels have halos over their heads. Angels are in Bible stories. They are messengers of God. There are different kinds like archangels, and cherubim. Angels do things for God. They are invisible to people. They live in heaven.
—Paige and Charlotte, age 6, 1998
Psalm 91 - Assurance of God’s Protection
You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot. Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
--The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version
As love grows and expands in the soul, it rises eagerly to God and overflows towards the Glory which bends towards it. Then Love melts through the soul into the senses so that the body too might share in it, for Love is drawn into all things. Love wanders about through the senses and then it storms the soul with all its powers.
--Adapted from Mechthild of Magdeburg, 12th C
We are called in the midst of our lives. Pause a while and know that I am God. We are called to a new way of being in the midst of our ordinary lives and in the midst of our pain. Let be and learn that I am God. Come, let us take time to be still and know. Like a child is quieted at its mother's breast, our souls are calmed and quieted. The still small voice, the calm amidst the storms of our lives, is with us, now and forevermore. We will take time to wait in silence for the Divine Presence from whom our hope comes. Amen.
--From Psalms 49, 62, & 131; I Kings 19:12
