"There, ahead of them, went the star . . ."
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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First reading & silent reflection: Reflect in silence.
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LECTIO: from Matthew 2: 1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem
of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child
who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and
have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened,
and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and
scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the
prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among
the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my
people Israel.’”
When they had
heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they
had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.
When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On
entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt
down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him
gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not
to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
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: In view of his divine dignity and
power, the Son of God gathers into himself the entire human family past,
present, and future. The moment that the Eternal Word is uttered outside the
bosom of the Trinity and steps forth into the human condition, the Word gives
himself to all creatures…The meaning of the life and message of Jesus is that
the reign of God is “close at hand”; the whole of God is now available for
every human being who wants him. Epiphany, then, is the manifestation of all
that is contained in the light of Christmas; it is the invitation to become
divine. Thomas Keating, Mystery of Christ, p 16
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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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