Remaining Faithful with Rev. Mary White
Good Evening and Blessings
I pray that during this time of social distancing that you are coming to a deeper understanding of what it means for you to be in this sacred place of solitude and the opportunities that is presented to us. For me, it is a time for cleansing. Cleansing the mind and soul can be very therapeutic.
“Solitude begins with a time and place for our Higher Power, and the Higher Power alone. In solitude, we encounter not only the Creator but also our true self.”
Keep safe, Keep connected.
Blessings and the strength of Love be with you.
Rev. Mary
Reading Excerpt from “The Only Necessary Thing”
by Henri Nouwen
To live a Christian life means to live in the world without being of it. It is in solitude that this inner freedom can grow.
In solitude, we can slowly unmask the illusion of our possessiveness and discover the centre of our own self that we are not what we can conquer, but what is given to us. In solitude we can listen to the voice of the One who spoke to us before we could speak a word, who healed us before we could make any gesture to help, who set us free long before we could free others, and who loved us long before we could give love to anyone. It is in this solitude that we discover that being is more important than having, and that we are more important than our efforts. In solitude, we discover that our life is not a possession to be defended, but a gift to be shared. It is there we recognize that the healing words we speak are not just our own but are given to us; that the love we can express is part of a greater love; and that the new life we bring forth is not a property to cling to, but a gift to be received.
Prayer
Life Giving Spirit
I am so afraid to open my clenched fists!
Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to?
Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands?
Please help me to gradually open my hands and to discover that I am not what I own, but what you want to give me. And what you want to give me is love., unconditional, everlasting love.
Amen