Lectio Divina Template 5

"I am in the Father and the Father is in me."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life.

CONTEMPLATIVE / SILENT PRAYER

Our Centering Prayer sit is 20 - 30 minutes sounded by the chime/chant.  At the end of the Prayer sit, we will linger in silence a few minutes, then follow by praying together the Our Father.

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LECTIO DIVINA: Listening to the Word of God with the ears of our heart

First reading & silent reflection:  Reflect  in silence.

LECTIO:  John 14: 1-12.  Jesus said to His Apostle (Thomas) "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you know Me, then you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him./The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Whoever believes in Me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father."

Second reading & reflection: What word or phrase catches your attention? Share or pass.

Third reading & reflection:  How does this word or phrase touch your life? Share or pass.

Fourth and last reading & silent reflection:  How is God inviting you to grow?  We will reflect in silence for a few moments before we move from Lectio Prayer to the teaching by Father Keating.

Teaching:  .... Be prepared to move beyond....[the spiritual level of our being]...to the true self which is deeper still and finally enter into the inner sanctuary itself--God's presence within us--insofar as it is possible in this life--which is the inmost center of our being and the direction in which Centering Prayer is moving...The reward that is to be given is nothing less than the knowledge of God through Jesus Christ. Why do we say through Jesus Christ? Because we believe Christ is truly the Son of God and emerges eternally from the bosom of the Father and is all that the Father is, that the Father lives in the Son rather than in Himself. Thus, Jesus could say, "He who sees me, sees the Father." Why? Because there is nobody else there except the Father.  God has laid down God's life for us on the Cross.  Who is God? Father Thomas Keating 

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We now take some time to share our thoughts and reflections on our own spiritual journey and our prayer practice.  Followed by brief prayers of intercession. Share or pass.

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Go in the name of Christ Jesus to love and serve the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

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[This is an adapted format courtesy of Martha Johnston, Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington, DC]