"God did not send His Son ... to condemn..."
We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.
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 [See Chopping Wood (or Carrots) Under the Gaze of God for a discussion of Lectio Divina].
First reading & silent reflection: Reflect in silence.
LECTIO: John 3:16-18. God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone
who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did
not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might
be saved though Him.
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: When Jesus said, "Repent" to his first
disciples, He was calling them to change the direction in which they were
looking for happiness. "Repent" is an invitation to grow up and
become a fully mature human being who integrates the biological needs with the
rational level of consciousness. The rational level of consciousness is the
door that swings into higher states--the intuitive and unitive levels of
consciousness. They open us to the experience of God's presence, which restores
the sense of happiness. We can then take possession of everything that was good
in our early life while leaving the distortions behind. The Human Condition, 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]
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