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Saturday 25 June 2022

Parish Quiet Day at the Othona Community

















Today we were at the Othona Community in Bradwell-on-Sea for our Wickford and Runwell Parish Quiet Day. We were reflecting on Psalm 42 in order to thirst for God, as deer pant for the water brooks. We went to be refreshed, to take stock, to share together, to learn something new, to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, and to go across the field together to the ancient St Peter’s Chapel looking out over the Blackwater estuary.

Here are the intercessions I prepared and a poem I wrote while there:

Teach today us how to thirst for you, as the deer long for the water brooks. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We lift to you all those people and situations that have brought us to tears or have made our hearts heavy in recent weeks and months. Teach us today, how to thirst for your healing and consolation, as the deer long for the water brooks. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We give you thanks and pray for all those who keep holy day with us and share in praise and thanksgiving in the house of God. Teach us all today, how to thirst for you in your house, as the deer long for the water brooks. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We remember that deep calls to deep in the thunder of your waterfalls and all your breakers and waves. Speak to us today in the beauty and drama of this place. Teach us today, how to thirst for you in nature, as the deer long for the water brooks. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

As worker ants seek food, as forager bees
source pollen, as deer thirst for water brooks,
so do I long for you. To slake my thirst,
find sustenance within, to share
Your sustaining Spirit. My deep-seated
longing for meaning and identity, met
only in You. The aching absence
– a God-shaped hole – within,
filled with a Word that is sweet as honey
from the honeycomb. Honey
to sweeten the lips, tongue and palate
of those tasting the bread of life
and imbibing the warming, healing waters.

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Cor Ysgol Y Strade - As The Deer.

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