"As I have loved you, you should also love one another."
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...
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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.
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, [Jesus] said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. . . .
Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Mariann Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington, recently wrote a eulogy for Frank Griswold, former Episcopal Presiding Bishop. She cited portions of his commencement address to graduates at Virginia Theological Seminary in May 2004. Griswold said, “I have learned that resting upon notions of my own competence is extremely dangerous…. It’s not that we shouldn’t strive to be capable and skilled leaders. But beyond all our competencies there is a power that comes from the Spirit of the Risen Christ. And only in moments of powerlessness and uncertainty do we discover how true it is.”
“Knowing the inevitability of change and that the Spirit may well take you where you had not imagined you might go, what are you to do? The answer is quite simple, at least in its articulation. Be rooted and grounded in your own relationship with Christ.”
Near the end of his address, Griswold said, “You cannot proclaim resurrection unless you have lived it, and you cannot live resurrection unless you have died. The mystery of death and resurrection is at the heart and center of companionship with Christ.”
LECTIO: from John 13: 1-17; 31b-35
Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
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 Divina to Centering/Silent Prayer.
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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.
Celtic Version of the Lord’s Prayer – John Philip Newell
Holy One beyond all names
Eternal Wellspring
May love rise in us again today
With food for every table
Shelter for every family
And reverence for every life.
Forgive us our failings in love
And free us from all falseness
That the light of our souls may shine
And the strength of our spirits endure
For Earth and all its people
This day, tonight, and forever,
May love rise in us again today
With food for every table
Shelter for every family
And reverence for every life.
Forgive us our failings in love
And free us from all falseness
That the light of our souls may shine
And the strength of our spirits endure
For Earth and all its people
This day, tonight, and forever,
Amen.
Teaching / Reflection:
Mariann Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington, recently wrote a eulogy for Frank Griswold, former Episcopal Presiding Bishop. She cited portions of his commencement address to graduates at Virginia Theological Seminary in May 2004. Griswold said, “I have learned that resting upon notions of my own competence is extremely dangerous…. It’s not that we shouldn’t strive to be capable and skilled leaders. But beyond all our competencies there is a power that comes from the Spirit of the Risen Christ. And only in moments of powerlessness and uncertainty do we discover how true it is.”
“Knowing the inevitability of change and that the Spirit may well take you where you had not imagined you might go, what are you to do? The answer is quite simple, at least in its articulation. Be rooted and grounded in your own relationship with Christ.”
Near the end of his address, Griswold said, “You cannot proclaim resurrection unless you have lived it, and you cannot live resurrection unless you have died. The mystery of death and resurrection is at the heart and center of companionship with Christ.”
~ Bulletin of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, March 23, 2023.
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We now take some time to share our thoughts and reflections on our own spiritual journey and our prayer practice. This may be 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]
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