"You are the Holy One of God."
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: 61-69.
Jesus said to them, “It is the
spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to
you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For
Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was
the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you
that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”
Because of this many of his
disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the
twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom
can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know
that you are the Holy One of God.”
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: Every movement toward the humiliation of the false self, if
we accept it, is a step toward interior freedom and inner resurrection. This new
freedom is not control; it is the freedom not to demand of life whatever we used
to feel was essential for our particular idea of happiness. The divine therapy
is an extraordinary project. Only God could have thought it up, and only God can
persuade people to do it. I don’t say that this will necessarily happen to
everyone. But we are offered the opportunity. The priority we give to the
invitation is up to us. Thomas Keating, The Human Condition,
42-43.
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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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