"...my words will not pass away."
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
First reading & silent reflection: Reflect in silence.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
LECTIO: from Luke 21: 25-36
Then he told them a parable:
‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can
see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see
these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I
tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
‘Be on guard so that your
hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of
this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it
will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all
times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that
will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’
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 Gospel is about the healing of our
conscious and unconscious wounds. . . . It is into [the] melodrama of everyday
life that Jesus has come with the Kingdom and that’s where it works. That’s
where it’s powerful. That’s where it’s to be found on an everyday basis. Right
where you experience it and feel it. And it’s the gift of Jesus. And this is the
full meaning of redemption – to heal you from the roots up. So that instead of
self-centered motivation and a world in which you see everything from the
perspective of the big I am of your ego, you see it from the big I AM of
God’s selfless-self. . . That is the true view of reality. Thomas Keating, Who
Is God?
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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