"O, that harmony might dwell among the nations."
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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: Ps 85 (excerpt, Nan Merrill version).
Listen, O people, in the silent Chapel of your heart;
and the Beloved will speak of peace to you,
to the hidden saints, to all who turn their hearts to Love.
Surely new life is at hand for those who reverence Love;
O, that harmony might dwell among the nations.
Steadfast love and righteousness will meet;
righteousness and peace will embrace one another.
Wisdom will spring up from the ground
and truth will look down from the sky.
You, the Eternal Giver will grant what is good,
and the lands will yield abundantly.
Mercy and compassion are Love's way;
You will guide our footsteps upon the path of peace
as we recognize with open hearts
that You are our peace.
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: More than any other institution, they [world religions] have an obligation to address the problem of world peace and to emphasize the human values that they mutually share and proclaim. Their collective conscience could challenge the nationalistic interests of world powers. But as yet they have no networking process or place where they might speak with one voice on behalf of basic human values, especially justice and peace. We cannot expect the military establishment to end war. War is their profession. The only way that war can be eliminated is to make it socially unacceptable. If the world religions would speak to the human family regarding its common source and the potential of every human being to be transformed into the divine, a moral voice of great power would be introduced on behalf of the innocent and of the human family as a whole. Thomas Keating, Invitation to Love, p. 124.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Go in the name of Christ Jesus to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God!
------------------------------
[This is an adapted format courtesy of Martha Johnston, Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington, DC]
No comments:
Post a Comment