"Do not be afraid..."
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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: Matthew 10. Jesus said: "Fear no one. Nothing is
concealed that will not be revealed; nor secret that will not be known. What I
say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered,
proclaim on the housetops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but
cannot kill the soul. Do not be afraid."
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: A Sufi master had
lost the key to his house and was looking for it in the grass outside. One of
his disciples said, "Master, have you any idea where you might have lost
the key?" The Master replied, "Of course. I lost it in the
house." To which they all exclaimed, "then why are we looking for it
out here?" He said, "Isn't it obvious? There is more light
outside." The house in the parable represents happiness, and happiness is
intimacy with God. This is the human condition--to be without the true source
of happiness; we have lost the key to happiness which is the contemplative
dimension of life. We experience our desperate search for happiness where it
cannot possibly be found. The key is not in the grass; it was not lost outside
ourselves. The key was lost inside ourselves. That is where we need to look for
it. 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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