Hello and welcome to this Lectio Divina audio in which today we reflect on the beautiful words of theologian Paul Tillich,
Which I've entitled,
You Are Accepted.
This is a beautiful passage which reminds us that we are truly accepted.
It's easy in our world to feel like we're on the outer or that we're loved simply for something that we do or something that we have.
But this small excerpt from Tillich encourages us to look beyond the world's understanding of acceptance and realise that we are accepted just as we are.
That there is truly nothing more we can do to make God love us anymore.
And nothing we can do to make God love us any less.
That we're simply accepted as we are for who we are.
And not just accepted,
But truly and deeply loved by the Divine Presence in the world or as Tillich himself referred to it,
The source of all being.
And so I invite you to put your cares and worries aside for the moment.
And to allow these words of Paul Tillich to sink deeply into your heart so that you can be still and know that God is with you and that you are loved.
And so as we begin,
I invite you to breathe deeply,
To centre and still yourself.
As we begin our time in Ledea Divina today.
May God be with you.
You are accepted.
You are accepted.
Accepted by that which is greater than you and the name of which you do not know.
Do not ask for the name now.
Perhaps you will find it later.
Do not try to do anything now.
Perhaps later you will do much.
Do not seek for anything.
Do not perform anything.
Do not intend anything.
Simply accept the fact that you are accepted.
If that happens to us,
We experience grace.
You are accepted.
You are accepted.
Accepted by that which is greater than you and the name of which you do not know.
Do not ask for the name now.
Perhaps you will find it later.
Do not try to do anything now.
Perhaps later you will do much.
Do not seek for anything.
Do not perform anything.
Do not intend anything.
Simply accept the fact that you are accepted.
If that happens to us,
We experience grace.
You are accepted.
You are accepted.
You are accepted.
You are accepted.
You are accepted.
You are accepted.
Do not ask for the name now.
Perhaps you will find it later.
Do not try to do anything now.
Perhaps later you will do much.
Do not seek for anything.
Do not perform anything.
Do not intend anything.
Simply accept the fact that you are accepted.
If that happens to us,
We experience grace.
You are accepted.
You are accepted.
You are accepted.
You are accepted.
Gracious God,
We are reminded today of the words of the Apostle John in his first letter,
Where he says,
God is love.
May we always know that where you are,
There we will find love,
And that wherever love is,
There you are.
Continue to help us to give and to receive that love,
Knowing that as we do,
Christ becomes incarnate in,
Through,
And among us.
May we go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ,
Amen.
