Meditation: Offering

I walk alone in a foreign crowd
uncounted people in their own lives,
their own thoughts, own families: separate.
Suddenly confronted
by a single person -
a woman, girl really,
dirty, clearly poor, holding out to me -
to anybody -
her baby, also dirty, wrapped in rags.

   The torrent of people swirled around
   this rock rooted deep in the earth.
   For a moment time slowed, stopped,
   then the current carried me away,
   mother and child absorbed into
   the churning torrent.

Another brother
on a cross, dying, holds out to me,
to all of us,
his self
his mother
his hope for the future.

   The torrent of people swirled around
   this rock rooted deep in the earth.
   For a moment time slowed, stopped,
   then the current carried me away,
   mother and child absorbed into
   the churning torrent.

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you. The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation try John 19:25-30

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Focus on this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.

What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?

Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.

Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word OFFERING or the word HOPE. 

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention). 

You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. 

After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock.

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: Broken, 2

Unless the perfect blossom blushed with pink

shrivels and dies I have no apple, crisp, 
sharp yet sweet juice running down my chin.

   Perfect and broken, both: 
   perfect because made by God to grow;

   broken because I have forgotten that 
   without death there is no life.

Unless the caterpillar eats its fill
is buried and dies, there is no glory 
of fragile flight, splendour suspended on breath of air.

   Perfect and broken, both: 
   perfect because made by God to grow;

   broken because I have forgotten that 
   without struggle there is no life.

Unless the egg so delicate and of the clearest blue
cracks and opens
I have no song outside my window to greet the dawn.

   Perfect and broken, both: 
   perfect because made by God to grow;

   broken because I have forgotten that 
   without destruction there is no life.

Unless the hydrogen gathers and explodes; unless plates groan in glacial grind, I have no place to stand in wonder of creation.

   Perfect and broken, both: 
   perfect because made by God to grow;

   broken because I have forgotten that 
   without tension there is no life.

Unless my perfect skin, tanned and glowing
becomes spotted and creased, I learn nothing 
from my mistakes, and wisdom fails on Earth.

   Perfect and broken, both: 
   perfect because made by God to grow;

   broken because I have forgotten that 
   without decay there is no life.

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you. The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation try John 12:24

I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain. But if it dies, it produces much grain and yields a harvest. 

Focus on this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.

What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?

Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.

Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word CHANGE or the word GROW. 

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention). 

You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. 

After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock.

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: Broken, 1

There is a crack in everything: that's how the light gets in!

Leonard Cohen 1993

The potter made the most beautiful pot,
flawed in the kiln;
but still a pot,
still perfect in the memory of the maker.

Made first to be a work of art - 
an object of wonder
striking awe in its perfection
a reminder of the perfection in each of us.

Made to be displayed, not used,
too perfect for human use.
Now, flawed, but useful still
because of the space enclosed within.

And it works as a pot. Perfectly. Still 
remembering the potter's dream
of perfect form and design and decoration
but now more: useful as well as beautiful,

just as full of awe, just as perfect,
just as full of beauty, but now also 
in daily use. Dusty, worn by handling, yes, 
but still perfect and loved and full of wonder.

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you. The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation try Isaiah 64,8-9

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay,

you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord;

do not remember our sins forever.

Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all your people.

10 
Focus on this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.

What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?

Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.

Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word CREATOR or the word LOVE. 

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention). 

You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. 

After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock.

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: Family Synod: it's about love, not sin!

Rome, Italy, Oct 13, 2015 CNA/EWTN News. 

In a wide-ranging and hard-hitting interview with EWTN Germany, Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki of Poznan, president of the Polish bishops' conference, said that were we to cease to recognize sinfulness, then Christ's Incarnation would be rendered “void of its meaning.” 

“We void the meaning of the whole work of the incarnation because we say that Christ has not come to us; however, beyond Christ, there is no salvation or redemption,” Archbishop Gadecki told EWTN's Robert Rauhut in an interview which took place shortly before the Synod on the Family began.

We are obsessed with sin: some people
who should know better think Christ's 

Incarnation is made meaningless by sin.

   God is love.
   Judge not.
   Leave your gift outside the Church if you realise 

   that you have separated from your brother.

"Sin" means "to miss the mark".
Does God withdraw love when we miss the mark?
Why do human beings think God will be offended?

   God is love.
   Judge not.
   Leave your gift outside the Church if you realise 

   that you have separated from your brother.

Our Creator made us flawed so we 

can learn to grow in our creation,
to be more the image of God.

   God is love.
   Judge not.
   Leave your gift outside the Church if you realise 

   that you have separated from your brother.

Our Creator made us separate

so we must work to grow in unity into
the body of Christ.

   God is love.
   Judge not.
   Leave your gift outside the Church if you realise 

   that you have separated from your brother.

Our Creator gave us drives and emotions

that will always master our
thoughts and wills. 

   God is love.
   Judge not.
   Leave your gift outside the Church if you realise 

   that you have separated from your brother.

God built us for the loves and angers 

of families so we can learn, can grow, 

can forgive, can love. Support that gift!

   God is love.
   Judge not.
   Leave your gift outside the Church if you realise 

   that you have separated from your brother.

There is in heaven joy

when we take each small step
towards our destiny in Christ.

   God is love.
   Judge not.
   Leave your gift outside the Church if you realise 

   that you have separated from your brother.

And that means to love, means to forgive,

means to open to God. It does not mean to
cut off brothers and sisters from God.

   God is love.
   Judge not.
   Leave your gift outside the Church if you realise 

   that you have separated from your brother.

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you. The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation try Matthew 5, 21-24

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. 

Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Focus on this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.

What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?

Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.

Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word FAMILY or the word LOVE. 

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention). 

You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. 

After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock.

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: The kingdom is here - now (if we want it)

We read every day of murder abuse terror rape.
Our world seems full of violence and ego; but
while ego and violence scratch us all, many 
many lives are still lived quietly and in hope.

   Spirit am I, made in God's image, and
   only each of us can save the world:
   each one of us is the body of Christ.

The violence of hunger disease cruelty abuse:
people and creation used for quick gain - daily,
but daily too, lives of prayer and good works, people reaching to our Creator in hope and faith and love.

   Spirit am I, made in God's image, and
   only each of us can save the world: 
   each one of us is the body of Christ.

The kingdom is in us, and we are each priest prophet 
and king: blessing, healing, forgiving, protecting - 
waiting for the scales to move -  
the kingdom among us.

   Spirit am I, made in God's image, and
   only each of us can save the world:
   each one of us is the body of Christ.

But first we need more pray-ers, empty seekers,
willing to sacrifice and forgive, speak out, and shepherd.
That is me. It is you. The kingdom is here. Now.
But we must choose to see past darkness, pain, despair.

   Spirit am I, made in God's image, and
   only each of us can save the world:
   each one of us is the body of Christ.

Leaders must lead. Not to entrench power, 
but to create a new earth, a new kingdom.
Each of us must live fully: not to hoard for sham security, 
but to grow our being and our bond with God.

   Spirit am I, made in God's image, and
   only each of us can save the world:
   each one of us is the body of Christ.

Ego must be seen as the devil it is - 
only then will we notice, gently push it aside, 
and live wholly for each other, live wholly for love, 
live wholly for God.

   Spirit am I, made in God's image, and
   only each of us can save the world:
   each one of us is the body of Christ.

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you. The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation try Luke 17, 20-24

Some Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come. 

His answer was, “The Kingdom of God does not come in such a way as to be seen. No one will say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ because the Kingdom of God is within you." 

Then he said to the disciples, “The time will come when you will wish you could see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, ‘Look, over there!’ or, ‘Look, over here!’ But don't go out looking for it. 

As the lightning flashes across the sky and lights it up from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 

Focus on this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.

What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?

Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.

Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the word KINGDOM or the word GOD. 

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention). 

You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. 

After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock.

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: The sun rises

One of the many joys of winter:
rising to be with the sun rising.
Rising in darkness to see the sky
darken as the first glow of day
colours the line between sky and sea
between land and cloud
between heaven and earth.

   Rising in darkness
   knowing the light is coming
   in glory 
   to bring new life to my world,
   in glory
   to touch the dark corners,
   in glory
   to fire my heart with joy.

Standing in the cold darkness feeling 
the chill, but knowing that warmth
is rising to fill the cold,
pouring in to overflow the emptiness,
bringing new life to all green things
new life to everything of cold blood
new life to those standing alone in the dark.

   Rising in darkness
   knowing the light is coming
   in glory 
   to bring new life to my world,
   in glory
   to touch the dark corners,
   in glory
   to fire my heart with joy.

We stand cold and without light;
lonely, separated, waiting in darkness, 
in the cold darkness of illness or depression,
in dark and cold uncertainty waiting
for purpose, for meaning - and then
it starts, a glow, a glimmer, a beacon of fire

   rising in darkness -
   the light is here 
   in glory 
   to bring new life to my world,
   in glory
   to touch my dark corners,
   in glory
   to fire my heart with joy.

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you. 

The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation try Genesis 1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault “sky.”And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

Focus on this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.

What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?

Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe hear Jesus speaking, and reply.

Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the word LIGHT or the word RISING. 

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention). 

You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. 

After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock.

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: Learning the language of God, part 3

Extracts from Pope Francis' impromptu homily on Apostolic Journey to Sri Lanka and the Philippines 

                                                                                                                           (17 January 2015)

... as we heard in the first reading, he can understand us: he became like us in every way. So we have a Lord who is able to weep with us, who can be at our side through life’s most difficult moments.

To each of you the Lord responds from his heart. 

With him, beneath the cross, is his Mother. 

Let us be still for a moment and look to the Lord. He can understand us, for he experienced all these things. And let us look to our Mother, and like that little child, let us reach out, cling to her skirts and say to her in our hearts: “Mother”. Let us make this prayer in silence; let everyone say it whatever way he or she feels…

We are not alone; we have a Mother; we have Jesus, our older brother.

We are not alone. And we also have many brothers and sisters who, when the disaster (Typhoon Haiyan) struck, came to our assistance. We too feel more like brothers and sisters whenever we help one another, whenever we help each other.

God does not speak with words, 

does not deal in logic or argument.
So we must learn the language of God.

   God touches us in the gentle
   movements of silence, in our body, in our gifts. 
   We open to God in our empty silence.

God did not leave us alone: 
we have a Mother, 
we have Jesus, our brother. 
We are not alone. 

   God touches us in the gentle
   movements of silence, in our body, in our gifts.
   We open to God in our empty silence.

Jesus, aware of God in him, but also 
fully human, our older brother, speaks with us.

Jesus, God's gift to us: someone to talk to, 
someone who hears.

   God touches us in the gentle
   movements of silence, in our body, in our gifts.
   We open to God in our empty silence.

And we have many other brothers and sisters, 

children of the same womb; 
growing in the same vision, 
speaking the same word.

   God touches us in the gentle
   movements of silence, in our body, in our gifts.
   We open to God in our empty silence.

From our beginning, sensitive men and women trusted the Spirit and recorded new awareness 
in story, dance, song, art and written word.
God speaks to us in our gifts; given to share our good news.

   God touches us in the gentle
   movements of silence, in our body, in our gifts.
   We open to God in our empty silence.

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you. The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation try the reading for 17 January (see Francis' homily above), Hebrews 4:14-16

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Focus on this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.

What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?

Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.

Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the word LISTEN or the word GOD. 

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention). 

You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. 

After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock.

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: Learning the language of God, part 2

So He said, "Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind.

And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 

After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. 

And behold, a voice came to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah? 

1 Kings 19,11-13 

God does not speak with words,
does not deal in logic or argument.
So we must learn the language of God; God
does not speak my language.

   God touches us in the gentle
   movements of silence.
   We open to God in our empty silence.

In moments of love and wonder

my throat closes, 

my breathing is suspended, 

my eyes water, 

my heart flowing over with rising warmth. 

Aware - but outside time and touching eternity,

I become a living soul.

My heart lifts 

to moments of sudden beauty, the subtle 

and jubilant rightness of a decision or action

in moments of joy - God's nod of approval!

The coincidental word or action dropped on me.

The perfect moment, two or three or a thousand wholly aligned, 

caught in the moment, struck by sudden perfection.

   In the movements of our hearts

   our God speaks to us; 

   in the gentle movements of silence 

   touches us, lets us feel our Father's love.

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you. The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation try Elijah's story above.

Focus on this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.

What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?

Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.

Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the word AWARE or the word GOD. 

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention). 

You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. 

After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock.

At the end thank God, and return to your day.

Meditation: Learning the language of God, part 1

So He said, "Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind.

And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 

After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. 

And behold, a voice came to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?

1 Kings 19,11-13

God's first language is silence 

                                                                                   (John of the Cross)

God does not speak with words, 
does not deal in logic or reasoning. 
So we must learn the language of God; God 
does not speak English! or Mandarin! or Arabic!

God touches us in the gentle
movements of silence.
We open to God in our empty silence.

In the moment, we listen. 
We can't talk back: we do not 
speak "gentle wind" - but allow ourselves 
to be immersed, filled, absorbed in God's silence.

God touches us in the gentle
movements of silence.
We open to God in our empty silence.

Our words prepare our hearts,
help still our frantic minds, allow us 
to unplug the world's strident implant. 
Only then can ...

... God touch us in the gentle
movements of silence. Only then can
we open to God in our empty silence.

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you. The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation try Elijah's story above.

Focus on this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.

What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?

Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.

Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the word EMPTY or the word GOD. 

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention). 

You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. 

After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock.

At the end thank God, and return to your day.