"To everyone who has, more will be given."
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 24:14-30. Jesus told his disciples this parable: A man going on a
journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To
each he gave a number of talents (coins) according to his ability. . . After a
long time the master of those servants came back....and said to his
servants..."Well done, my good and faithful servant(s). Since you were
faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share
your master's happiness.....For to everyone who has, more will be given and he
will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken
away."
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 attraction to the
center of our being is the awakening to the fact of the divine indwelling. It
is not a particular thought, reflection, or feeling, but a sense of being loved
or embraced by God. But these experiences are transient and not the end of the
journey. They are ways of orienting us towards what is to come. The Spirit may
impart them to some people in great abundance. Others, however, have to live
most of the time without them. The main thing everyone can to is the practice
of Centering Prayer. If you do the practice of Centering Prayer regularly, it
will do you. There is no substitute for twice a day practice. Talking
about it, writing about it, reading about it, does not do it. Doing it
does. The Better Part, 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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