"Christ will be magnified . . ."
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.
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LECTIO: Philippians 1:20-27. Brothers and sisters:
Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me
life is Christ, and death is gain. For I am hard-pressed between the two,
having a desire to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Conduct yourselves in
a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.
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: God brings the
"new man" to life in interior silence, that is to say, the new you,
with the world view that Christ shares with you in deep silence. His view of
things becomes more important to you than that of your own. Christ asks you to
live that new life in the circumstances of everyday life; in your daily
routine, contradicted by noise, opposition, and anxieties. These seem to
persecute you because you want to be alone to relish that silence. But it is
important to allow oneself to be confronted by daily life. The alternation
between deep silence and action gradually brings the two together. You become
fully integrated, a contemplative, and yet fully capable of
action at the same time. You are Martha and Mary at once. Open Mind, Open Heart, 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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