Moment of Oneness - December 9, 2020

Full Moon Over Round Lake by Denise Hackert-Stoner

Zoom: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81507551772

Meeting ID: 815 0755 1772

To connect by phone dial: 

  +1 646 558 8656

OPENING PRAYER

Source of all peace, we come together in the gathering darkness of this holy night in your name.  We open our hearts and minds in your presence and allow your peace to fill us.  We pray that we become vessels of that peace, to be poured forth in our homes, our communities, and our world.  Amen. 

READING

From “The Path is Peace,” Thich Nhat Hanh’s 2003 Address to the US Congress

My right hand has written all the poems that I have composed. My left hand has not written a single poem. But my right hand does not think, “Left Hand, you are good for nothing.” My right hand does not have a superiority complex. That is why it is very happy. My left hand does not have any complex at all. In my two hands there is the kind of wisdom called the wisdom of nondiscrimination. One day I was hammering a nail and my right hand was not very accurate and instead of pounding on the nail it pounded on my finger.  It put the hammer down and took care of the left hand in a very tender way, as if it were taking care of itself. It did not say, “Left Hand, you have to remember that I have taken good care of you and you have to pay me back in the future.” There was no such thinking. And my left hand did not say, “Right Hand, you have done me a lot of harm—give me that hammer, I want justice.” My two hands know that they are members of one body; they are in each other.

PETITIONS

Reader:  For our sisters and brothers who roam the streets without a home in winter; may they find peace and comfort in shelter, food, and human compassion, and may we find them as we search for ways pour forth your peace.

All:  Source of all peace, hear us.

Reader:  For the creatures of our forests, marshlands and fields, as winter’s cold and darkness descends; may peace come to them as food and shelter.

All:  Source of all peace, hear us.

Reader:  For our own hearts; may your peace be light and warmth for us, even in these shortest of days.

All:  Source of all peace, hear us.

Reader:  At this time we invite you to add our own petitions.  (Pause) 

Reader:  For these we pray.

All:  Source of all peace, hear us.

CLOSING PRAYER

We praise you for winter’s darkness which calls us to rest.  We praise you for the cold which calls us to reach out to those in need.  We praise you for the soft, white, cold snow which awakens our senses to beauty and reminds us of the coming light.  Oh Spirit of Winter, Creator of All Seasons, Bringer of Peace, we praise you tonight and always.

All:  Amen.

Closing Song:  Those Who Dream, The Many

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHlDSdYfBmM