"Even the dogs eat the scraps that fall..."
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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 15:21-28. And behold, a Canaanite woman called out to Jesus, "Have pity
on me, Lord, Son of David!" But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.
The woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me". Jesus
said in reply, "It is not right to take food of the children and throw it
to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the
scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Jesus said in reply,
"O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish."
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: This text has great significance for the spiritual journey. How do
we find God in His apparent absence, rejection, and abuse? This episode is a
description of how to respond when prayer gets difficult, when the interior
life falls to pieces, or when the night of sense descends upon us. The text
says that Jesus did not say a word. He was just silent. Is this an answer to
prayer or isn't it? I venture to say that silence is as good an answer to
prayer as granting our request. Silence could mean that it is not the
right time; that we are not ready for an answer; or that we are asking for the
wrong thing. The primary purpose of prayer is not to change God but us, and if
we are not prepared to change, there is nothing to say. In the case of
the Canaanite woman, the point of Jesus' silence is to bring her from the level
of faith from which she starts out, to the level of faith that she manifests at
the end. The only way God can bring somebody to a new level of faith is to
challenge their present level. Such is the scenario; it keeps being played out
in our lives. We can accept it like the Canaanite woman or back off. Awakenings, 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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