Our guest teacher, Gideon Tsang, taught from the Book of Acts to consider the Holy Spirit poured out on all flesh as the source of our energy, offering dreams and visions to guide us into deeper understanding of the meaning of our experiences, and granting us the power and language to speak healing and unity.
Text
Acts 2: 1-21
Sub-Rational / Rational / Trans-Rational
Spirituality is about what we do about the fire inside of us, about how we channel our (energy).
-Ronald Rolheiser
I cannot think unless I have been thought,
Nor can I speak unless I have been spoken.
I cannot teach except as I am taught,
Or break the bread except as I am broken.
O Mind behind the mind through which I seek,
O Light within the light by which I see,
O Word beneath the words with which I speak,
O founding, unfound Wisdom, finding me,
O sounding Song whose depth is sounding me,
O Memory of time, reminding me,
My Ground of Being, always grounding me,
My Maker’s Bounding Line, defining me,
Come, hidden Wisdom, come with all you bring,
Come to me now, disguised as everything.
-Malcolm Guite
It is by the Holy Spirit that we love those who are united to us in Christ. The more plentifully we have received of the Spirit of Christ, the more perfectly we are able to love them: and the more we love them the more we receive the Spirit. It is clear, however, that since we love them by the Spirit Who is given to us by Jesus, it is Jesus Himself Who loves them in us.
-Thomas Merton
The beauty that emerges from woundedness is a beauty infused with feeling; a beauty different from the beauty of landscape and the cold perfect form. This is a beauty that has suffered its way through the ache of desolation until the words or music emerged to equal the hunger and desperation at its heart. It must also be said that not all woundedness succeeds in finding its way through to beauty of form. Most woundedness remains hidden, lost inside forgotten silence. Indeed, in every life there is some wound that continues to weep secretly, even after years of attempted healing. Where woundedness can be refined into beauty a wonderful transfiguration takes place.
- John O’Donohue
Reflection
Gideon suggested a possible spiritual practice aimed at considering your life in the trans-rational; the realm of meaning, dreams, visions. Think of one of the highest highs or lowest lows of your life. Describe the event as it happened, and then write the commentary. What does it mean for you and your story?
Consider reading or listening to the Nonviolent Communication book (Marshall Rosenberg). How can you practice using your language to unite rather than divide?
Worship Set
Awake My Soul
Jesus Paid It All
How Deep The Father's Love For Us
Rock Of Ages (When The Day Seems Long)
Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
Can't Help Myself