"I am the living bread."
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: John 6: 35; 41-51.
Jesus said to them, “No one can
come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person
up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be
taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.
. . .Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread
of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This
is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread
will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is
my flesh.”
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: Each period of lectio divina follows
the same plan: reflection on the Word of God, followed by free expression of the
spontaneous feelings that arise in our hearts. The whole gamut of human response
to truth, beauty, goodness, and love is possible. As the heart reaches out in
longing for God, it begins to penetrate the words of the sacred text. Mind and
heart are united and rest in the presence of Christ. Lectio divina is a
way of meditation that leads naturally to spontaneous prayer, and little by
little, to moments of contemplation--to insights into the Word of God and the
deeper meaning and significance of the truths of faith. This activity enables us
to be nourished by the “bread of life” (John 6:35) and indeed to become
the Word of God (John 6:48-51). Thomas Keating, The Heart of the World, 48.
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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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