Runeday Sermon

[Scott Alexander]

This service was given by Aedh Goldmoon of Llacheu in the Tirbalar">pub173.ezboard.com/fbaron...t;Tirbalar Cathedral this morning as a celebration of Runeday. It is being reposted here as part of our effort to revitalize the lay community and spread the faith. If you are interested, visit today and congratulate John Hereus on becoming the newest Treesian giolla.May the sun bless you with her light, and the earth keep you in her warm embrace. Eiseamlar sees you, and smiles. Welcome, all gathered, to the Evening Service on this day, Runeday, the Feastday of Runda Oxhammer. I am Aedh Goldmoon, Lay-Head of the Unorthodox Church. In the absence of those who would lead us in our Faith, we must lead ourselves. Let us start, all gathered, with the Prayer of the Creation:Remember beauty!When the world was first createdThe unfathomable PowersLooked at it with love and longingWith the love of the EternalsAnd the love became incarnateIt became the Gods of BeautyTineon the Lord of FireUisceor the Lord of WaterSalio of Earth the mistressGaother of Wind the rulerAnd their myriad of servantsAnd they looked upon creationAnd they shaped it and they smoothed itLike a careful master sculptorGiving rise to each perfectionTo the sunset o'er the oceanTo the wind among the treetopsTo the grasses of the meadowTo the gentle streams that nourishTo the mountains, tall and mightyTo the countless stars of LeaighThat like snowflakes fill the heavensAll of these, and many othersWere the Irdia's perfectionsMay their work endure foreverMay no flaws or stains deform itAnd may humankind, who shares itAnd for whom its wonders sparkleMay we marvel at it, know itMay we love and understand itAnd give thanks for it togetherWith this blessed recitationRemember beauty!And now, all gathered, as we praise today the Lady of Smiths, I feel the Prayer of Many Gods is especially important:Glory, honor, praise, and blessings be unto the High Ones!So long as any endure to sing their praises!Glory, honor, praise, and blessings be unto the High Ones!To Tineon, Uisceor, Salio, and Gaother the CreatorsGlory, honor, praise, and blessings be unto the High Ones!To Bladhm, Craindoigh, Leaigh, Dobharcufile, Folcador, Lochrin, Caranna, Aincoim, RUNDA, Ulcharam, Seicha, and RiannaGlory, honor, praise, and blessings be unto the High Ones!To Laguna, Mandorel, and Utas the PreserversGlory, honor, praise, and blessings be unto the High Ones!To Mordicc, Ardescit, Aeon, Carding, Dlithail, and AmariaaGlory, honor, praise, and blessings unto the High Ones!To Veradroon, Dagwynn, Angdar, Messelius, Hoku-Mree, Meriorl, Torabrune, Slainter, Ohu, and DiardalGlory, honor, praise, and blessings unto the High Ones!To all who rain love into the Universe from many-spired EnnabrukGlory, honor, praise, and blessings unto the High Ones!Glory, honor, praise, and blessings unto the High Ones!Glory, honor, praise, and blessings unto the High Ones!Glory, honor, praise, and blessings unto the High Ones!And now, all gathered, we say the Prayer of the World, which Runda crafts beautiful things to inhabit:Like a radiant jewel Tirlar floats in the ocean of NothingnessLike a well-kept garden the Isle teems with life in harmonyLike a loving family we sit and pray together in the ways of oldI accept the worldI will explore its secret intricacies and hidden harmoniesI will discover in it that which has no name, and be pointed upward and forward and inward and outwardI will let the world unravel in my heart and I will discover the shining secret at its centerAnd no matter how hard the Way, I will not give up LoveAnd now, all gathered, before we praise Runda, I call a period of silent meditation, to contemplate our place in life, before we glorify a godÂ’s.*there are a few minutes silence*And now, all gathered, I ask you to join me in the praise of Runda Oxhammer, with the Smith's Chant:Run-daThine hammer falls with aFateful noiseRun-daThine hands do craftBoth blade and shaftRun-daLend all your strengthBoth young and trainedRun-daOh cast our lordsIn the fires of your forgeRun-daWith the warrior rideAt last destined fightThank you, all gathered.This is the feastday of the Lady of Smiths, Runda Oxhammer. In these times where structure is so important, we must remember the LadyÂ’s adages. In doing this, I have found the parable of her infidelity to Mandorel, where she fell into darkness. She was angered at Mandorel for throwing one of her prize swords into a lake on a drunken wager with one of his followers. To get revenge on him, she turned herself into a great oxess, and sought the lands for another to spawn her progeny. She found the greatest of oxen, and mated with him, and bore Broda and Moril by him. She fell into shame, though, for betraying her bridesman, and though she did not confess to him, she kept the secret in her dark place forever after. So, you see, even gods can betray others, and themselves. This is a lesson we must recall, for the gods are our betters, and even they have faults. We should not chastise ourselves overly for our faults, and try to reconcile ourselves with others.And now, all gathered, we pray to Ennabruk for guidance, the way we have been taught:What must be accomplished is not always easyMay we have the courage to accomplish itWhat must be endured is not always pleasantMay we have the determination to come through itWhat must be chosen is not always obviousMay we have the wisdom to choose itThe Way that must be followed is not always straightMay the Keeper guide us upon itFinally, in veneration of Mordicc and his disciple, Jestun, we pray for the dead. We pray that they are delivered to their true home in Tirbal, and that the Silvery Boat may one day ferry us all to safe haven: May the Shining ShipReach the calm shoreOf that last havenAnd that final restMay Jestun's choice be goodAs was your lifeFarewell, sweet traveller'Till we meet again...This sermon, in veneration of Runda Oxhammer and all the gods, is now ended. Go with love and peace in your hearts, and may the Keeper bless you all. We have an initiation ceremony in the Vermillion Hall, if you would care to join me and welcome our new acolyte, for he serves both us and the gods.