 to the index SACRED
READINGS ARCHIVE
UNIVERSAL WORSHIP 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. 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
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 And
all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went
up from
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 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 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 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 |