(17 January 2015)
God does not speak with words,
... 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You may need a countdown clock.
At the end thank God, and return to your day.
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
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 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.
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