 to the index SACRED
READINGS ARCHIVE
UNIVERSAL
WORSHIP Theme: The Children of
Abraham There is but One God Toward the One,... (after lighting taper) To the glory of the Omnipresent God, we kindle the light symbolically representing the...Hindu Religion, Buddhist Religion, Zoroastrian Religion, Native American Religion, Divine Feminine, Jewish Religion, Christian Religion, Religion of Islam (lighting each candle with the word kindle.) To the glory of the Omnipresent God, we kindle the light
symbolically
representing all those who whether known or unknown to the world, have
held
aloft the light of Truth through the
darkness of human ignorance. (lighting the Spirit of Guidance
candle) Let us pray. Saum Praise be to thee...(while facing the God candle) We will read from the World Scriptures We read in the Hindu Scriptures He is the
one God, hidden in all beings, all-pervading, the Self within all
beings,
watching over all works, dwelling in all beings, the witness, the
perceiver,
the only one, free from qualities. Svetasvatara Upanishad 6.11 We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage,
and our
gratitude for the Light of the Divine Wisdom. We will read in the Buddhist Scriptures When
appearances and names are put away and all discrimination ceases, that
which
remains is the true and essential nature of things and, as nothing can
be
predicated as to the nature of essence, is called the "Suchness" of
Reality. This universal, undifferentiated, inscrutable Suchness is the
only Reality,
but it is variously characterized as Truth, Mind-essence,
Transcendental
Intelligence, Perfection of Wisdom, etc. This Dharma of the
imagelessness of
the Essence-nature of Ultimate Reality is the Dharma which has been
proclaimed
by all the Buddhas, and when all things are understood in full
agreement with
it, one is in possession of Perfect Knowledge. Lankavatara Sutra We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage,
and our
gratitude for the Light of the Divine Compassion We will read in the Zoroastrian Scriptures This do I ask, O Lord, reveal unto me the truth! Who is the
first begetter, father of the Cosmic Law? Who
assigned orbit to the sun and the stars? Who causes
the moon to wax and again to wane? Who other
than Thee? This and else I wish to know! Who is the upholder of the earth and of the sky? Who
prevents them from falling down? Who
maintains the waters and also the plants? Who yoked
speed to winds and clouds? Who is the
creator of the creatures? Who is the architect of light and darkness? Who created
sleep and wakefulness? By whom
exists dawn, mid-day and night, Which
monitor the duties of men? Avesta,
Yasna 44.3-5 We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage,
and our
gratitude for the Light of the Divine Purity We will read in the Jewish Scriptures Hear O
Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Deuteronomy
6.4 I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God. Isaiah 45.5 We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage,
and our
gratitude for the Light of the Divine Law We will read in the Christian Scriptures Now there
are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of
service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it
is the
same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the
manifestation
of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians
12.4-7 We know
that an idol has no real existence, and that there is no God but one.
For
although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed
there are
many "gods" and many "lords"--yet for us there is one God,
the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one
Lord, Jesus
Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 1 Corinthians 8.4-6 We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage,
and our
gratitude for the Light of the Divine Self-Sacrifice We will read in the Scriptures of Islam " Say, He is God, the One! God, the
eternally Besought of all! He neither
begets nor was begotten. And there
is none comparable unto Him. Qur'an 112 To Him
belong all creatures in the heavens and on the earth: even those who
are in His
very Presence are not too proud to serve Him, nor are they ever weary.
They
celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit.
Or have
they taken gods from the earth who can raise the dead? If there were,
in the
heavens or in the earth, other gods besides God, there would have been
confusion in both! But glory to God, the Lord of the Throne; high is He
above
what they attribute to Him! Qur'an 21.19-22 We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage,
and our
gratitude for the Light of the Divine
Unity We will now have a few minutes of silence (three minutes) Let us pray Salat Most gracious Lord, Master Messiah,...(facing the God candle) There is but one Teacher, God Himself Hazart Inayat Khan, Bowl of Saki We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage,
and our
gratitude for the Light of the Divine Truth Sermon The Children of Abraham
drawing upon Bruce Feiler's book, Abraham Let us pray Khatum O Thou, Who art the Perfection of Love, Harmony and Beauty... (facing the God candle) Benediction (facing the congregation) May the Blessing of God rest upon you; may God's Peace abide with you; may God's presence illuminate your hearts now and for evermore. Amen |