"Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
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: Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus told his
disciples this parable: "The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were
foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought
no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since
the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. // While
the unwise virgins went off to buy oil for their lamps, the bridegroom came and
the wise virgins who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the
door was locked. Afterwards the unwise virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open
the door for us!" But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know
you.' Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
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: The Son of Man will come when least expected. Luke
12:40 In this parable, Jesus represents himself as a delayed bridegroom.
This parable refers to many Jesus', in our view, many delays into our lives.
Sometimes He comes when we are at our lowest ebb. All of a sudden, in the midst
of anguish, anger, bitterness, lustful thoughts, and the feeling of
abandonment, this incredibly loving presence appears as if to say, "Well,
what is the matter with you? What are you belly-aching about? Because it got a
little dark, you didn't see Me. Be on your guard, therefore, because the Son of
Man will come when you least expect Him." When we least expect Him is the
darkest part of the night. It is not our pleas that bring the Master back; He
comes when He sees that we have completed our preparation. The pain of waiting
is in proportion to the joy of resurrection. To those on the spiritual journey nothing
happens that is not directed toward divine union if they only say "Yes". 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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