A Dwelling Place

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Ancient Songs Sung Anew, dwelling place, God, Holy One, invitation, meditate, Peter, prayer, psalm, temple, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

The first lectionary text this morning (1PT 1:10-16) ended with a call to be holy with the simple statement “Be holy for I, the Lord, am holy.” Succinctly put, right? Then, in a commentary on today’s psalm I read a paragraph that seemed to follow and enhance the message of Peter, drawing us into a possible way of entering more deeply into relationship with this “Holy One.” See what you think.

Perhaps one of the things that we learn…is that human beings need to offer an invitation to God and interior space for God to be. Have you ever sensed that you could offer a place inside of your being as a dwelling place for the divine, or that your whole being could be God’s “temple” as it is often put in the tradition?…In a time of prayer, meditate upon this possibility and what it means for you. (Ancient Songs Sung Anew, p.248)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Divine Guest

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divine, Divine Guest, dwelling place, God's temple, hospitality, invitation, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

This morning in a commentary on Psalm 98 I read an evocative sentence followed by a question worthy of pondering. It suggested that human beings need to offer an invitation to God and interior space for God to be, and then asked: Have you ever sensed that you could offer a place inside of your being as a dwelling place for the divine, or that your whole being could be God’s “temple” as it is often put in the tradition?

Sometimes it seems as if we spend too much time and effort begging for good fortune or happy outcomes (which I do think God hears as honest and legitimate requests) but this short reflection puts a different spin on our conversations, evoking a note of hospitality in our way of speaking to God. The images that arose in me from those lines of the psalm were of a great hall – as in a castle where a musical festival was being held. The music pauses as God appears at the top of a grand staircase and all eyes turn toward the Divine Guest. Then the music begins again with the most beautiful strains of song ever heard and all bow low as God descends the stairs…At that moment I recognize that the entire scene is being played out inside myself and the invitation is to allow God’s presence to fill me – body and soul – in all the comings and goings of my life.

Fanciful, yes, but worth imagining to give us a taste of what it would be like to truly take the role of host to the Divine Guest. Are we equal to the challenge? Are we willing? Let the music begin!

 

 

 

 

God’s Dwelling Place

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Creator, dwelling place, holiness, love, Mother Earth, Nan Merrill, psalm 93, Psalms for Praying, stewards, strength, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, universe

I found a lovely translation of the psalm for the day in Nan Merrill’s book, Psalms for Praying. The lectionary verses speak very well, I think, to the relationship between the Creator of the universe and God’s stewards – us. I offer it as a thought for the day and bow in humility at God’s generosity even as I am reminded of our responsibility for our Mother Earth.

The Almighty reigns adorned in majesty; the Creator is robed and girded with strength. Yes, the world is established and given into our care; our stewardship of the earth reflects our love for You – You, who are and ever shall be…That which you ordain is certain; holiness befits your house, our hearts, your dwelling place, O Beloved, for evermore. (Ps. 93: 1-2, 5)