THE HOLY POWER (Veni Creator Spiritus)

Creator Spirit, by whose word,
The earth to life and light is stirred,
Come visit here each seeking mind
And pour your grace on humankind:
From sin and sorrow set us free
And make us temples worthy thee.

This hymn dates from the 9th century A.D. and was translated into English by the poet Dryden.  In the course of the centuries it has become the common heritage of every branch of the Christian Faith.  The words here given have been revised to assist the realization that creation is not something God did millions of years ago but is an ever-present evolving process.

Here, as in the Thanksgiving Prayer, we face the realization that God, the Source of all life and energy and knowing, is in our midst and that by His Life and Power we receive the manifestations of Jesus, and of angels, and the joy of fellowship with loved ones on earth and loved ones in heaven.  The word “seeking” has been substituted for the word “humble,” for a seeking mind is of necessity a humble mind, but a “humble mind” is not necessarily a seeking mind and can be understood to signify an abject attitude and approach and such is not conducive to the acquisition of knowledge and understanding.

The whole of the significance of our “Communion” is contained in the last two lines—cleansing, instruction, and sanctification:

From sin and sorrow set us free
And make us temples worthy thee.

THE HOLY SILENCE

During the singing of the Veni Creator we take pen and notebook in hand and prepare to listen for the “living word” of the Master.  This is always a personal message, and in order to receive it we must reach out to Him in thought and desire.  So if there is something you do not understand about the Devotions, or the words of the Master as they occur in them or in the New Testament records, or in your own life and personal affairs, this is your opportunity to ask of Him and to receive his answer.  Also, if you are troubled or lonely, or if you feel in any way unable to cope, tell this to the Master in silent speech, and He will give you words of encouragement and take away the stresses and strains within you.

This method of entering into the “Silence” is different from others in that no attempt is made to still the objective mind.  Instead, an attunement is made between the mind of the communicant and the mind of Jesus.  This progresses through the Devotions to the place of Silence, and the door of the soul opens without effort to the Christ communications through the agency of your own embryonic spiritual mind.

For the encouragement in this practice of Beginners—those whom the Master calls His “Little Ones”—is the following message given by Him in the Silent Voice:

Do not fear to tread the path I have marked out for you.  Do you think it was only to men of old that I have shown myself? Have I not said that if any man open to me I will come in and sup with him, and he with me? 

For I seek such and knock upon the doors of their hearts that they may open and receive me and know of a surety that I live.  Blessed is he that hears my knocking; thrice blessed is he that opens to me.

I am the guide of many.  Let no man confuse you saying, “He is high and lifted up and cannot manifest to the children of men.”  For though I speak through the mouth of an angel, and though I write through the hand of a messenger, it is I; for I also am of your brothers and sisters of earth, and it is the will of the Father that all shall know me from the least unto the greatest.

Come unto me, all you Little Ones, and you that labour, and I will refresh you with the joy of heaven which I had with the Father before the time in which I dwelt with men.

Do not be discouraged that the revelation is imperfect in the beginning.  Great things shall you do if your faith in me holds fast.  These things have I spoken that you may know of a surety that I am the Messenger of the Holy One of Israel.

Peace be with you!

Immediately following the Time of Silence we sing:

Fairest Lord Jesus,
Lord of all nature,
O thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honour,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.

The hymn from which these words are taken is not of great antiquity, but is probably a 17th century resurrection of a much older hymn that was sung by the crusaders, for it is know as the Crusaders’ Hymn.  We too are crusaders; and it is fitting that these words are sung by us after the experiencing of communion with the living Jesus.

The covering of the chalice follows and then the Missionary Prayer.  This prayer was received, word for word, in the very early days of the communion practice by the mediation of the "Rector" spirit realms.  At the suggestion of Canon A.F. Webling, it was authorized by the Executive Council of Churches' Fellowship for Psychical Study in England to be used at meetings of that Fellowship and was used on the occasion of their first public meeting, which was held at Caxton Hall, London.

Three effects of the practice of the Communion Devotions are mentioned in the prayer:

OUR MISSIONARY PRAYER