"You have kept the good wine until now."
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.
On the third
day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and . . . [w]hen the wine gave out,
the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to
her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing
there were six stone water jars . . . , each holding twenty or thirty gallons.
Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the
brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” .
. .When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, . . . he called
the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then
the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the
good wine until now.”
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LECTIO: from John 2: 1-9
On the third
day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and . . . [w]hen the wine gave out,
the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to
her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing
there were six stone water jars . . . , each holding twenty or thirty gallons.
Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the
brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” .
. .When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, . . . he called
the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then
the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the
good wine until now.”
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: Epiphany, as the celebration of the marriage
of the Son of God with human nature, reveals the deepest significance of the
Eternal Word becoming a human being. Furthermore, it is our personal call not
only to the surrender of faith, but to transformation into divine life and love.
The marriage feast [of Cana], taking place in a tiny out-of-the-way town,
becomes the symbol of the most fantastic event in human history, the
most striking example of how eternal time enters into chronological time
and transforms it. What happens when the wine begins to run out and the
bridal couple are in danger of embarrassment, becomes a cosmic event. What Jesus
does at the marriage feast is the symbol of what he will later accomplish
through his passion, death and resurrection. Thomas Keating, The Mystery of
Christ, pp 31-32.
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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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