Lectio Template 195

 "Show me your ways, O 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.

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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 Psalm 25: 1-9

 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
  my God, I put my trust in you; 
       let me not be humiliated,
       nor let my enemies triumph over me.
 Let none who look to you be put to shame; 
       let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
 Show me your ways, O Lord, 
       and teach me your paths.
 Lead me in your truth and teach me, 
       for you are the God of my salvation;
       in you have I trusted all the day long.
 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, 
       for they are from everlasting.

 

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 proud may fall, but it will not be through following the way of the heart, for the heart has its inbuilt safeguard: it perceives only in the modality of surrender (which means, literally, to “hand oneself over,” to entrust oneself entirely).In other words, the heart can fulfill its function as organ of spiritual perception only to the degree that it is able to bring itself into moral alignment with “the infinity of love” (in Kabir Helminki's words): to the extent that it is willing and able to coincide with love, to become love itself. For love is the ultimate and ultimately the only purification.

--Cynthia Bourgeault, The Heart of Centering Prayer, 76. 

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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 Richard and Linda Hall, Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington, DC]