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A Birthday Psalm (from Edwin Hays) May be said in choir, or in smaller groups, each one takes a paragraph.Each year, O God, we celebrate our birthday, a feast to remember that special day when we were born. With candles and cake, with parties and gifts, we celebrate our first birth. While that first birth lasted only a matter of minutes or hours, our second birth into the world of spirit is a daily and ongoing feast.
Each day is a blessed birthday into a greater awareness of how this world — from the tiniest atom to the greatest mountain — is infused with your Spirit.
Each day, O God, we see more clearly into the world inside this world; not two worlds divorced but one world of spirit and matter, married eternally as one. "And what God has joined together, let no one put asunder."
May we embrace the birth pains of our second, continuous birthing, with joy and hope. Let us befriend every spirit guide, however humble, whom we meet upon our pilgrimage to you as a sacred midwife sent by you.
Grant, O God, that this ordinary day may become our birth day, a coming forth into that wider and more awesome world full of your glory and holiness. Glory to you ... Scripture Readings From ISAIAH 41, 43, 49 (The Message Translation) But you, Israel, are my servant. You're Jacob, my first choice, descendants of my good friend Abraham.
I pulled you in from all over the world, called you in from every dark corner of the earth, Telling you, "You're my servant, serving on my side. I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.'
Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll
hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back,
trade the creation just for you.
Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you're rebuilding are never out of my sight. The Word of the Lord PAUSE FOR REFLECTION ON THE READINGS ~ Sharing as occurs
RESPONSE: Birthday Blessing (Recited by the members of the community to the one(s) celebrating their brithday.) May you sip contentedly from the fragrant wine of your life. May you stretch eagerly into the opening light of each new day.
May you discover kernels of wisdom hidden in unwanted experiences.
May you find comfort and consolation when you are hurting.
May you know the protection and guidance of your angels.
May you hear the tender voice of the Beloved calling to you in the deepest part of your being.
May you have a soul friend whose unconditional love gives you courage to keep growing.
May you be a bearer of loving
kindness
May you gather your daily blessings to your heart and relish their presence.
May you never give up seeking greater peace for yourself and for your world.
May you go to sleep each evening aware of being held in the embrace of a merciful and welcoming God.
May you hear the marvellous music singing in your soul every moment, lauding the exquisite gift of being alive.
Amen.
Offering of Prayers for Those Celebrating Birthdays Make a simple statement of hope for the person(s) having a birthday for the upcoming year, ending the prayer with gratitude in God’s blessings.
This may be followed by other prayer intentions coming from the community.
Prayed by the One(s) Celebrating (The community now listens to the blessings prayed by the one(s) celebrating a birthday(s).)
Lord, I pray for the Spirit's gifts of knowledge and wisdom and understanding.
I pray for the ability to make balanced judgements and choices, and for the courage then to do what I realise I am called to do: courage to defeat the obstacles of fear and uncertainty, and courage to give me strength and determination and perseverance.
May your Spirit lead me to have great respect and reverence for all creation, for each person, and for you, my God.
Open my eyes in wonder and awe at all that is around me, so that all that I see may lead me to grow in awareness of your love and your presence.
The prayer ends with the Kiss of Peace among all the members of the community. It may be preceeded by the offering of a birthday gift from the community to the one(s) celebrating. The final action should be the Kiss of Peace.
Br. Nick Morris (Rome)
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