"Nothing will separate us from the love of Christ."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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: Romans 8: 38-39. Nothing will separate us from the love of
Christ. I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor heights,
nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of
God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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: Adam and Eve were thrown
out of the first garden as a result of the emergence of their
self-consciousness apart from Divine Union. Mary Magdalene was so rooted
in the experience of Divine Union that the Garden of Paradise was inside her
and she could never leave it. The Garden of Eden stands for a state of
consciousness, not a geographical location. Mary Magdalene is sent out of the
garden, but with the abiding interior state the garden represents: the
certitude of being loved by God, of loving Him in return, and of God giving
Himself in every event and at every moment, both within and without. Mystery of Christ, Father Thomas Keating.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Go in the name of Christ Jesus to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God!
------------------------------
[This is an adapted format courtesy of Martha Johnston, Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington, DC]
No comments:
Post a Comment