"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus."
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.
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death
--even death on a cross.
“Whoever drinks what flows from my mouth will become as I am, and I will become as he is, so that what is hidden may be manifest.” That pretty much captures what Jesus was up to in the Last Supper. He would become a life growing within their own lives, the ombudsman of their own deepest selves, so that what was now obscured by fear and duality would ultimately be able to step forward in strength and oneness. Through his continued presence in their innermost beings, they, too, would become “single ones.” This sacramental sharing of the bread and wine in a conscious and intentional way is not primarily a “memorial meal” or a “proclaiming his death, until he comes again in glory” (1 Corinthians 11:26). That was Paul’s theology, not Jesus’s. Jesus was intent upon a living connection, an open channel that would allow him to remain in communion, across the energetic realms, with the hearts of his beloved ones—“I in you and you in me so that all may be one.” The bread and wine, intentionally dedicated to that purpose, would be a pathway of “living remembrance,” through which his spiritualized personhood could continue to flow into them as living presence, blessing, and wisdom.
~Cynthia Bourgeault, The Wisdom Jesus: Transforming Heart and Mind--A New Perspective on Christ and His Message, p. 187.
LECTIO: from Philippians 2: 1-13
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death
--even death on a cross.
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:
“Whoever drinks what flows from my mouth will become as I am, and I will become as he is, so that what is hidden may be manifest.” That pretty much captures what Jesus was up to in the Last Supper. He would become a life growing within their own lives, the ombudsman of their own deepest selves, so that what was now obscured by fear and duality would ultimately be able to step forward in strength and oneness. Through his continued presence in their innermost beings, they, too, would become “single ones.” This sacramental sharing of the bread and wine in a conscious and intentional way is not primarily a “memorial meal” or a “proclaiming his death, until he comes again in glory” (1 Corinthians 11:26). That was Paul’s theology, not Jesus’s. Jesus was intent upon a living connection, an open channel that would allow him to remain in communion, across the energetic realms, with the hearts of his beloved ones—“I in you and you in me so that all may be one.” The bread and wine, intentionally dedicated to that purpose, would be a pathway of “living remembrance,” through which his spiritualized personhood could continue to flow into them as living presence, blessing, and wisdom.
~Cynthia Bourgeault, The Wisdom Jesus: Transforming Heart and Mind--A New Perspective on Christ and His Message, p. 187.
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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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