"Let your light shine. . ."
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.
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LECTIO: from Matthew 5: 13-16
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt
has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for
anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the
world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts
it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in
the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they
may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
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:
The way of pure faith is to persevere in contemplative
practice without worrying about where we are on the journey, and without
comparing ourselves with others or judging others’ gifts as better than ours. We
can be spared all this nonsense if we surrender ourselves to the divine action,
whatever the psychological content of our prayer may be. In pure faith, the
results are often hidden even from those who are growing the most. . . .The
divine light of faith is totally available in the degree that we consent and
surrender ourselves to its presence and action within us. It heals the wounds of
a lifetime and brings us to transforming union, empowering us to enter Christ’s
redemptive program, first by the healing of our deep wounds, and then by sharing
in the healing of others.
~Thomas Keating, Invitation to Love, 118-119.
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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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