2.25.2025 PBPC Family Bulletin
PBPC Family,
Simone Weil, in an essay, "Reflections on the Right Use of School Studies with a View to the Love of God" (thanks to Shane Caldwell for the recommendation) writes, "Attention, which directed toward God, is the very substance of prayer." To pray is to give our full, pure, sustained attention to God. She goes on to say, "The quality of the attention counts for much in the quality of the prayer." The more that we can give our full attention to God, the more we enter into the mystery that is prayer.
But this attention is not gained through muscular effort or force of will. The more that we try to pay attention, the more we actually fail to truly pay attention. Weil defines attention as "suspending our thought, leaving it detached, empty, and ready to be penetrated by the object." This attending to God is more about making space, emptying ourselves so that there is space for our minds to be filled with God.
I have a long way to go to reach this experience of attention that Simone Weil describes. I imagine the same is true for you. But I find it to be a powerful true north to which I am pursuing. This is why I am often drawn towards silence and stillness in prayer. These practices help me attend to God with my whole being, not through effort, but through a patient waiting, stillness, opening of the self for God to fill.
I encourage you to read Simone Weil's entire essay and to set aside some time today for stilless, silence, and practicing that attention towards God that consists of prayer.
Looking forward to worshipping with you all on Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Calvin
"The Light of the World"
John 8:12
Calvin Sodestrom
Communion Sunday: Don't forget your elements if worshipping via Zoom and a dish, drink or dessert to share if coming in person.
