Rest

God calls us to regular rhythms of work, rest and reflection

to be still and to deepen our relationship

with him and one another.

INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Trust in God at all times, people. Pour out your hearts to the Holy One.
For God alone my soul waits in silence.

Silence

Sing: Wait for the Lord whose day is near. Wait for the Lord, keep watch, take heart. (Taize)
“Come to me all you who are burdened and I will give you rest”, was the invitation of Jesus to those so harried around him. Come… and rest…

Right now Jesus, friend, we’re coming to You.
We unload our burdens and preoccupations.  And we rest…  in your presence.

“My presence will go with you and I will give you rest”, was the promise God spoke to Moses as Moses explained he couldn’t go on unless he knew they were not alone. Presence… and rest.

Here you are, my people. I am present. I give you rest.
Here we are, Holy One. We are not alone. We receive your rest… and we can go on.

THANKSGIVING AND LAMENT

Dear God, we struggle, we grow weary, we grow tired. We are exhausted, we are distressed, we despair. We give up, we fall down, we let go. We cry. We are empty, we grow calm, we are ready. We wait quietly.
Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth

A small shy truth arrives. Arrives from without and within. Arrives and is born. Simple, steady, clear. Like a mirror, like a bell, like a flame. Like rain in summer. A precious truth arrives and is born within us. Within our emptiness.
Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth

We accept it, we observe it, we absorb it. We surrender to our bare truth. We are nourished, we are changed. We are blessed. We rise up.[1]
For this we give thanks. Amen

THE LIVING WORD

Ps. 127                         or         Exod. 20:8-11               or                    Luke 10:38-42

Matt. 11:28-30                           Mark 4:26-29                                         Eph. 2:1-10

Silence for reflecting on the readings

RESPONSE

: meditation ~ either lectio divina or gospel contemplation of Luke passage
: give a cushion to each person and play restful music
: surrender an item being worn or carried and place it in the centre of your group to symbolise letting go of an attachment to schedules or busy-ness  
:sing -“The Lord is My Light” – Tom Wuest

FOR EACH OTHER

Let’s hold in the light and enfolding of God, our own distracted and busy selves, and especially today….

Silence or open prayer

CLOSING PRAYER

Maker of all, you laboured over creation

And afterwards you rested.

It was enough, and it was good.

And we are creatures formed in your likeness,

Made more for intimacy than efficiency.

You know our limits, and you watch us tenderly

Like a parent, even as we sleep.

In all our busyness today

Let there be moments of stillness, of quiet awareness.

Show us when we have done enough.

Where we have become too serious

Help us hear your invitation to play.

And when the day is over may we sleep soundly

In the peace of your embrace.

In the toil for survival

And the struggle for justice

On earth as in heaven

Your Kingdom come!

Amen