Encounter: The Lord is in His holy Temple; let all the earth be silent before Him

Lord, You have much for us to hear and do but our hearts must be very still and quiet to listen, like Mary, who chose the better part. Draw our souls to silence, that we may sit at Your feet and gain strength and direction. The Music: Largo from Vivaldi’s Concerto for piccolo and strings When I was a student, I watched a moving French film called L’Enfant Sauvage, about the real-life story of a boy who spent the first ten years of his life living on his own in a forest. The music touched me deeply and I prayed to find out what it was. One day, walking through the streets of Oxford, I heard someone playing the piece through an open window in St John’s College. I dashed up the staircase and discovered what it was. It has been a firm favourite ever since! Musicians: Nicola Gerard (flute), Shirley Richards, Teresa Brasier, Nick Evans-Pugh and Jo Garcia (strings) Lord, You have much for us to hear and do but our hearts must be very still and quiet to listen – like Mary, who chose the better part. Draw our souls to silence, that we may sit at Your feet and gain strength and direction. Lord, Your ways are past finding out, yet You share so much with us; Help me to live this day to the full for You, to heed the whispers and the warnings that You send our way; and to know that we are loved, and can rest in Your love. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. (Psalm 139:2-3; Psalm 73:25) I praise You, Lord, for what I cannot yet understand; for the countless ways You guide and bless and the changes that have come my way. Make my heart more grateful, and help me to recognise the gifts and graces You give, and to express my appreciation for them.