Wednesday Afternoon Reflection on MERCY, with the Staff of First Unitarian of Portland
OPENING SONG: "White Wing Mercy", by Ferron
CHALICE LIGHTING:
"Sisters Of Mercy" Leonard Cohen
Oh the sisters of mercy, they are not departed or gone.
They were waiting for me when I thought that I just can't go on.
And they brought me their comfort and later they brought me this song.
Oh I hope you run into them, you who've been travelling so long.
Yes you who must leave everything that you cannot control.
It begins with your family, but soon it comes around to your soul.
Well I've been where you're hanging, I think I can see how you're pinned:
When you're not feeling holy, your loneliness says that you've sinned.
Well they lay down beside me, I made my confession to them.
They touched both my eyes and I touched the dew on their hem.
If your life is a leaf that the seasons tear off and condemn
they will bind you with love that is graceful and green as a stem.
When I left they were sleeping, I hope you run into them soon
GUIDED MEDITATION on Guanyin, Boddhisatva of Mercy, who "hears the cries of the world"
TRIAD SHARING:
Share an experience when you received mercy. When someone heard your cries of pain or distress.
Share an experience when you forgave someone when strict justice would have you not forgive. When you showed mercy.
CHALICE EXTINGUISHING:
We are all in this together, Carole King
The just are seeking justice
The meek are reaching out
For something only children
Can really know about
And some men cry for mercy
While they deny their brothers' pain
And some men laugh for reasons
They can never quite explain
We are all in this together
And maybe we'll see that one day
When we conquer our fear together
When we finally find a way
And we all need forgiving
For all the damage done
For the things we do, not thinking
For the hurt that we've caused someone
But me, I keep on living
Caught somewhere there between
The reason and the meaning
The vision and the dream
We are all in this together
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