Lectio Template 204

  "The Lord is my shepherd... "

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 23

    The Lord is my shepherd; 

       I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures 
       and leads me beside still waters.
He revives my soul 
       and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
   I shall fear no evil; 
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; 
       you have anointed my head with oil,
       and my cup is running over.
Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, 
       and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

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: 

God is not going to rescue you…He joins you in your difficulties. This is a far greater gift than taking them away because it means that if you took them away you’d be where you were–just without those difficulties…Suppose God joins you in your difficulties. Now you have a new attitude toward every difficulty and nothing can shake your peace of mind–even the greatest tragedies or sorrows. And little by little you begin to perceive that all suffering is in God and there’s no other answer to explain it.    

--Thomas Keating, Who is God?

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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]