"Upon this rock I will build My church . . . "
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 16:13-20. Simon Peter said to Jesus, "You are the Christ, the Son of
the Living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon,
son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My heavenly
Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My
church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will
give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be
bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven."
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: We surrender to the attraction of interior silence, tranquility,
and peace. We do not try to feel anything, reflect about anything. Without
effort, without trying, we sink into this Presence, letting everything else go.
Let love alone speak: the simple desire to be one with the Presence, to forget
self, and to rest in the Ultimate Mystery. This Presence is immense, yet so
humble; awe-inspiring, yet so gentle; limitless, yet so intimate, tender and
personal. I know that I am known....We wait
patiently; in silence, openness, and quiet attentiveness; motionless within and
without. We surrender to the attraction to be still, to be loved, just to be. Reawakenings, 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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