V-DAY RITUAL
February 15, 2007
2/14/2007
Valentine’s Day House Church
SETTING: 2-bedroom apartment in west Harlem. seven folks arrived, cooked dinner, welcomed our new guest, ate snacks, then started ritual.
* kiss of peace
* ritual reading of Song of Songs
* prayer: bodies – folks strike a pose, everyone follows suit, say a prayer
* prayer: love song lyric – pass out selections from popular love songs that could be read to address a lover relationship with the divine. folks select one, read or sing it to the group. sing alongs welcome
* dinner, dessert, wine and good conversation
SoS RITUAL READING
Instructions –
* prep and procure the props
* make copies of readings in large font for participants to read
* when gathered, explain interactive component before each reading – have people perform the asterisked ritual before, during, or after the reading
* afterwards, invite people to share how they heard God speaking to them in the text
I SoS 1:12-17 (from bible or TJS translation below)
* SMELL – cedar balls and spices
Where you recline in light of noon
I’ll fly to lie beside you soon
With Spices, wine and ripest fruit
Have my desire in finest bloom
Baptized in your divine perfume
The time is right, we’re wise but new
The time is right, desire consumes
Our couch is green, our rafters pine
Our house is cedar beams and grafted vines
The clouds our canopy on high
Our town this Eden ‘neath the sky
Feel your left arm beneath my head
Your right my sheet, your side my bed
But I won’t sleep for love is ready
And I won’t rest till love is dead
II SoS 2:8-13
* VISUALIZE – close your eyes, listen, and see the scene in your mind’s eye
III Song of Songs 4:9-16
* SMELL – light incense
IV SoS 5:10-16
* TOUCH – pass around bowl of shells, rocks, crystals, and other hard objects
V SoS 7:1-9
* EAT – apples, figs, grapes, pomegranates, with honey and spices
VI SoS 7:9-13
* LOOK – pass around images and art of the Song of Songs
We looked at Renaissance and modern images of Mary w’ baby Jesus & pomegranate, e.g. da Vinci, Botticelli, Rafael, and Cherubini Rossi.
VII SoS 8:6-7
* FIRE & WATER – everyone lights a match, then puts it out in a glass of water
VIII SoS Conclusion (TJS verse)
* DRINK – pass around a cup of wine
Let society in all their high piety
Slant their eyes and quietly revile me
Think I’ll die of chastisement? Try me
I’ll smile though all mankind may despise me
Long as you lie beside me - don’t deny me
United we’ll defy them mightily, nightly
“Arise at last my fairest one
The winter’s past, the rain is gone
The vines wear blossoms for the sun
Our time for wine and song’s begun
It’s time we sing the song of songs”
SOME LOVE SONG LYRIC PRAYERS
The moment I wake up. Before I put on my make up, I say a little prayer for you. While combing my hair now And wond’ring what dress to wear now - I say a little prayer for you. Forever, and ever you’ll stay in my heart And I will love you. Forever, and ever we never will part. And, how I love you. Together, forever, that’s how it must be. To live without you would only mean heartbreak for me
* Hal David – I Say a Little Prayer
I love you baby like a flower loves the spring. And I love you baby like a robin loves to sing. And I love you baby like a schoolboy loves his [pride]. And I love you baby river deep mountain high.
* Barry, Greenwich, Spector – River Deep, Mountain High
Oh, even if the mountain tumbles, If this whole world crumbles, By her side I’ll still be standing there. ‘Cause I was made to love her, I was made to live for her. Yeah, yeah yeah.
* Stevie Wonder – I Was made to Love Her
Take me now baby here as I am. Pull me close, try and understand.
Desire is hunger is the fire I breathe. Love is a banquet on which we feed. Love is an angel disguised as lust. Here in our bed until the morning comes
* Patti Smith & Bruce Springsteen – Because the Night
Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone - I hear you call my name. And it feels like home. I hear your voice, its like an angel sighing. I have no choice, I hear your voice. Feels like flying. I close my eyes, oh God I think I’m falling. Out of the sky, I close my eyes. Heaven help me.
* Madonna – Like a Prayer
That’s all I wanted, something special, Something sacred in your eyes. For just one moment, to be bold and naked at your side. I will be your father figure, Put your tiny hand in mine. I will be your preacher teacher, Anything you have in mind. I will be your father figure, I have had enough of crime, so I will be the one who loves you until the end of time.
* George Michael – Father Figure
No need 2 worry, No need 2 cry, I’m your messiah and you’re the reason why cuz u - I would die 4 u, yeah, Darling if u want me 2. U – I would die 4 u. I’m not a human I am a dove. I’m your conscious I am love. All I really need is 2 know that U believe
* Prince – I Would Die 4 U
See the stone set in your eyes. See the thorn twist in your side. I wait for you. Sleight of hand and twist of fate. On a bed of nails she makes me wait. And I wait without you. My hands are tied. My body bruised, she’s got me with nothing to win and nothing left to lose
* U2 – With or Without You
totally missing imho is some Bon Jovi… anyone have any other ideas? please share your lyric selections below!