"Prepare the way of the Lord."
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 3: 1-6
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when
Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, . . . ,
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John
son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the
Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it
is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one
crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths
straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be
made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made
smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation 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: The Christmas-Epiphany Mystery
invites us to take possession of what is already ours. As Thomas Merton put it,
we are “to become what we already are.” The Christmas-Epiphany Mystery, as the
coming of Christ into our lives, makes us aware of the fact that he is already
here as our true self – the deepest reality in us and in everyone else. Once
God takes upon himself the human condition, everyone is potentially divine.
Through the Incarnation of his Son, God floods the whole human family – past,
present and to come – with his majesty, dignity, and grace. Christ dwells in us
in a Mysterious but real way. Thomas Keating, The Mystery of Christ, 16-17.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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