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SACRED READINGS ARCHIVE

UNIVERSAL WORSHIP 12/24/02

EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS

 

Theme:

The Messiah

 

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, 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

 

Whenever the Law declines and the purpose of life is forgotten, I manifest myself on earth. I am born in every age to protect the good, to destroy evil, and to reestablish the Law.

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           13. Hinduism. Bhagavad Gita 4.7-8

 

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

 

 Listen attentively with one heart. A man whose spirit shines brightly, a man whose mind is completely unified, a man whose virtue excels everyone--such a man will truly appear in this world. When he preaches precious laws, all the people will totally be satisfied as if the thirsty drink sweet drops of rain from heaven. And each and every one will attain the path of liberation from struggles.
 

17. Buddhism. Sutra of the Great Accomplishment of the Maitreya

 

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

 

He shall be the victorious Benefactor (Saoshyant) by name and World-renovator [Astavat-ereta] by name. He is Benefactor because he will benefit the entire physical world; he is World-renovator because he will establish the physical living existence indestructible. He will oppose the evil of the progeny of the biped and withstand the enmity produced by the faithful.

12. Zoroastrianism. Avesta, Farvardin Yast 13.129

 

 

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

 

For to us a child is born,

       to us a son is given,

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

        and his name shall be called

       "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,

       Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Of the increase of his government and of peace

       there will be no end,

upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom,

       to establish it, and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness,

       from this time forth and for ever more.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

 

2. Judaism and Christianity. Isaiah 9.6-7

 

 

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

 

     And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

      And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being with child.

      And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 

 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord come upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

      And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

      And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

 

    And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is to come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

     And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

     But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 

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

 

And [Jesus] shall be a Sign of the Hour [of Judgment]; therefore have no doubt about it, but follow Me: this is a straight way.

8. Islam. Qur'an 43.61

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The Messenger of Allah observed, "What will be your state when the Son of Mary descends amongst you, and there will be an Imam amongst you? What would you do when the son of Mary would descend and lead you?"

 

9. Islam. Hadith of Muslim

 

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)

 

Healing by the Presence

 

         There is warmth in fire, and there is a greater warmth in feeling.  The presence of a person with warm feelings can create an atmosphere of warmth, and the presence of the cold-hearted can freeze one.  No doubt warmth of heart is not the only quality the healer needs.  He must have the power to heal, besides concentration and a desire to heal. But at the same time it is the name of Christ that is known as that of the Messiah.  "Messiah" in the East means "healer"; and for a Messiah the power of love is the first quality, love in the form of sympathy.  One sympathizes with another, thinking, "He is my relation," "friend," or "acquaintance," perhaps.  But when sympathy develops to its fullest extent one begins to see in everybody "I," "myself," and the pain of everybody one begins to feel as one's own pain.

 

         This is a sign of the true Messiah.  How can he heal the wounds of the hearts of the children of the earth and relieve them from pains and sufferings, since life is full of them, when his sympathy is not awakened to such a degree that he feels the pain of another even before feeling his own pain?  Every healer who has a spiritual aspiration must develop the spark of the fire of the heart of the Messiah, and then, even before his trying to heal a person, his very presence would heal.

 

         When a child is ill the mother goes near with a wish that he may be well, with a pain in her heart for the suffering of her child.  For that moment she becomes a healer, her touch, her word, her glance does more than medicine or any other remedy.  When this mother quality is developed in the heart of the healer, then, when he heals not for any return except for the happiness of seeing a soul released from pain, he becomes a healer who can heal merely by his presence.

 

Esoteric Papers

Githa III

Healing

Healing by Presence

 

We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Truth

 

Sermon reflecting upon the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah.  What that means to the world.  What that means by the coming of the Messiah into the heart of humankind.  Reflect upon the birth of the Messiah into your heart.

 

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