Prayer fastens the soul to God, making it one with his will through the deep inward working of the Holy Spirit. So he says this, 'Pray inwardly, even though you feel no joy in it. For it does good, though you feel nothing, see nothing, yes, even though you think you cannot pray. For when you are dry and empty, sick and weak, your prayers please me, though there be little enough to please you. All believing prayer is precious in my sight.' God accepts the good-will and work of his servants, no matter how we feel.
~Julian of Norwich~

Upon further reflection:

In my mind I keep coming back to this picture. Reflecting on its meaning... I may be empty, not feeling have much to offer, tired, burnt out... Look up to God's divine fullness. That "wine in the sky" is a full cup...full to overflowing. Fits with Mother Julian's saying: God's goodness overflows endlessly. I also like that it is an invitation to sit down - to commune - with the Lord - with the double meaning of Holy Communion implied. All of life’s experiences baptised in the Holy Spirit of his Presence.

SWIMMING

Sometimes this happens:

Every happy memory,
A cascade of mystic encounters,
The body’s imprint of physical joy,
All eliding, weaving, coming together
In a kaleidoscopic ecstasy.

This moment’s joy,

Resonating with all those others,
Like a chorus of alleluias,
Drowning me in dripping scented oil,
As I drift, float, sink, and find
I’m swimming in a symphony.

 

By Angela Scott

August 2001

Once upon a time in a land far far away, Olivia came to suddenly, blinking in the glorious bright sunshine. The last thing she remembered was swirling mists and cold clammy fog. And sheer terror. The warmth was lovely. There was a calm feeling in this place and she allowed herself to luxuriate in this wonderful new experience. Gone was the sense of threat, of being ‘on guard!’ She gazed around. Fear had no place here. Somewhere inside her just knew it. She was safe now. How could the terror melt away like this? She didn’t care. That it had gone was all that mattered. But we humans are curious creatures and the urge to retrace the steps that had brought her here tugged at the edges of her mind. But not yet, the feeling was just so good.
Copyright by Angela Scott

He loves us and enjoys us, and so he wills that we love him and enjoy him, and firmly trust him; and all shall be well.

~Julian of Norwich~

Maya Angelou (b. 1928)

Alone

Lying, thinking
Last night
How to find my soul a home
Where water is not thirsty
And bread loaf is not stone
I came up with one thing
And I don't believe I'm wrong
That nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

I rise today in the love of God

No matter...

"Truth sees God, and wisdom contemplates God, and of these two things comes a third, and that is a marvelous delight in God, which is love."
(14th Revelation, p. 256) Julian of Norwich

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and mercy itself.



POEM

 

The Beginning of Wisdom

 

You have brought me so far.

I know so much. Names, verbs, images. My mind
overflows, a drawer that can't close.

Unscathed among the tortured. Ignorant parchment
uninscribed, light strokes only, where a scribe
tried out a pen.

I am so small, a speck of dust
moving across the huge world. The world
a speck of dust in the universe.

Are you holding
the universe? You hold
onto my smallness. How do you grasp it,
how does it not
slip away?

I know so little.

You have brought me so far.

 

Denise Levertov (1923–1997)

 

You are enough for me

 

 

Our soul rests in God its true peace, our soul stands in God its true strength, and is deep-rooted in God for endless love

 

~Julian of Norwich~

 

Blessing for Ascension:
May almighty God bless you on this day when his only Son ascended into heaven to prepare a place for you.
After his resurrection, Christ was seen by His disciples. When He appears as judge may you be pleasing for ever in His sight.
...

You believe that Jesus has taken His seat in majesty at the right hand of the Father. May you have the joy of experiencing that He is also with you to the end of time, according to His promise.
Amen! Thank you Lord Jesus.

I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you into myself, that where I am there you may be also. Gospel of John

TOWARDS RESURRECTION

 

Poetry, visual art, reflections,

to help us get still,
and pray.

 

It's about

 

ENCOUNTER

 

with the Living God

 

who LOVES us