Module One: nothing
The spiritual life, to which art belongs and of which she is one of the mightiest elements, is a complicated but definite and easily definable movement forwards and upwards. This movement is the movement of experience, It may take different forms, but it holds at the bottom to the same inner thought and purpose.
Wassily Kandinsky Concerning the Spiritual in Art, 4
To the leader. A Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:1, 2
Module One: nothing
Study:
In preparation for this week's liturgy, please read Introduction and Part 1 and 2 of How to Be Here by Rob Bell. Please read the Wisdom for the Way essay titled, “nothing” found here. Available on March 5, 2025.
After you have completed the above, choose one or more of the the following:
“The Prelude,” on Wikipedia
“Rob Bell on Creating a Life Worth Living, Creativity, and Writing,” on the Jeff Goins Podcast
The Liturgy
nothing
To the leader. A Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:1, 2
Opening Prayer
Creator, in the beginning you were. What impelled you to speak light? Please, oh Divine Spirit, give us the courage to listen to the stillness before the beginning and hear the foundation of creation whisper to our souls infusing us with longing to participate. Incarnated God, you spoke to us, help us to hear. Impress on our souls the love that poured into the original Word and that continues to echo through creation. Help us to choose loving creation.
Amen.
Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we have rushed past the beginning. We are so enamored with seeing our name in lights that we resist the gestation of dark. We have refused the tempo of grace because it is subtle and so very irregular. We have preferred the orchard to the forest. You are mysterious and wild. You are holy and just. You are profound and hidden. And for this we reject you. We are comfortable with regularity and clarity. We chafe against justice when it limits what we can control. Forgive us.
Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Exchange this acknowledgment of confession.
From the freedom of confession, I greet the Christ in you.
From the freedom of confession, I greet the Christ in you.
The Inquiry
These questions will be used each week to guide a time of sharing. If you are unable to share, please raise two clasped hands and the other participants will offer you a blessing.
What have you this week?
What suffering have you encountered this week?
What longs for salvation?
After each person shares, the group will offer a blessing to each person:
[Person’s name], in the name of Jesus Christ know you are beloved of God
The Reflection
Read aloud:
The Practice
create centers on creative spiritual practices. Each week, participants will be offered a creative practice in the Spirited Words Substack Newsletter.
For Thought
Content and not unwilling now to give
A respite to this passion, I paced on
With brisk and eager steps, and came, at length,
To a green shady place where down I sat
Beneath a tree, slackening my thoughts by choice,
And settling into gentler happiness.
The Prelude, Wordsworth, 59
Read Aloud:
As our wold edges out “green shady place[s]” help us to look for the green pastures and still waters where you are waiting. Give us the wisdom and patience to pause and “slacken our thoughts.”
Amen.
The Response
These questions can be used to help the group engage with the reflection.
Where is your “green shady place?”
What keeps you from going there?
or
What would you like to create this week?
After each person shares, the group will offer a blessing to each person:
Christ, give us the courage to hear and be heard.
Responsive Reading
A. We live in a 24 hour world.
B. Teach us to listen to the rain.
A. Our time is validated by production
B. Growth takes time and rest.
A. We put flowers in a vase
B: While roots and leaves power the plant.
Closing Prayer
O, God, we ask that you infuse our souls with the assurance that you are love. We are restless and voracious. Allow us to rest in the abundance of just enough. Clear our souls and minds so that we may participate in the Creation that you speak into being from the first moment to this moment.
Amen.
Blessing
Have courage. You are creating the world. Love well. We are all connected. Be assured. We are creating the world together.
My youngest daughter loves to make clothes. So far, she mostly repurposes (cuts up) her socks into doll skirts and crop tops.