As happened yesterday, my reflection today goes no further than the first line of the first reading when the prophet Jeremiah full of vulnerability says “I hear the whisperings of many: terror on every side!”
While Jeremiah was hearing whisperings against himself, there are many other kinds of whispering too. Whispering can be the mark of an intimate friendship when we speak in a way that is too personal for the crowd to hear.
And it’s that kind of whispering I am thinking about today, especially because it brings to mind one of my favourite hymns which tells of the gentle voice of God whispering gently in the noise of our lives.
An Invitation:
You might like to pray with these lyrics for a moment then listen to the hymn at the link below, then perhaps listen and savour again on the drive to work.
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
reclothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise.
In simple trust like theirs who heard
beside the Syrian sea
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word
rise up and follow thee.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee,
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with thee
the silence of eternity,
interpreted by love!
Drop thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm!
Thank you for this beautiful reminder. That inner whisper is so gentle and yet it contains everything we need – peace, hope, love, , calm , wisdom. Thanks too, for the lovely old hymn that reminds us we need silence to listen.
A gentle way to start the day – thank you, Father John.
What a beautiful piece of poetry this old hymn is – I have never heard it before – lovely words to reflect on.
Thank you Father John that beautiful hymn gave me a sense of peace
The reminder to be still and know that I am God was timely today thank you for that, and to listen to that hymn again from my childhood but understanding the words this Tim is a blessing… God be with you today.
Beautiful hymn, and thank you for the reminder of the “still, small vice of calm”. We need it in these stressful anxious times.
It is now evening after a busy day – I retired today as a teacher – and just now able to read your reflection and listen to this beautiful hymn of my childhood too. It was always one of my favourites. It has given me calm as i look forward to the next part of my journey in life.
Perfect end to the day. Thank you.
God Bless you Father look forward to your reflections everyday