"This is my Son, the Beloved."
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
LECTIO: from Matthew 3:13-17
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the
Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I
need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him,
“Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all
righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just
as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw
the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice
from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
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 or another contemplative guide.
Teaching:
Jesus’ baptism by John represents the manifestation of
Jesus’ divinity to the Jews, the moment when Jesus entered fully into his
mission for the salvation of the human family. His baptism in the Jordan is a
preview of the graces of Easter and Pentecost, in which we celebrate the
Mysteries of divine life and love. Jesus’ descent into the waters of the Jordan
anticipates his descent into the sufferings of his passion and death; his
emergence from the Jordan symbolizes his resurrection; and the Dove’s descent
prefigures the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
~Thomas Keating, Mystery of Christ, 29-30.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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