... from the readings of the day:
As the hind longs for the running waters,NAAMAN'S REVERIE
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Athirst is my soul for the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
Psalm 42:2-3
In quiet moments I feel myself in God, sensing my birth in God, longing for my home as a deer in drought longs for pools of cool, fresh water.
But I live in a frantic world of silly hatreds and angers,
where we imagine unprovoked attacks and mindless
violence. There are not enough quiet moments.
There is no ease in my busy world. My dis-ease
is obvious - my lack of peace visible on my skin,
an angry tattoo I live with, knowing it is killing me.
I expect respect, dignity. I am good at what I do.
I am important. I resent being ignored (distained?).
I am safe in my anger, blameless in my resentment.
My anger is really fear: fear of disappointment.
I will put that aside. I will give this foreign god
a moment of trust. A moment costs me nothing.
In quiet moments I feel myself in God, sensing my birth in God, longing for my home as a deer in drought longs for pools of cool, fresh water.
Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God and asking for the grace to grow closer: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time as I reach out to you, and ask that you guide me now, and each day, closer to 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 this from one of today's readings, 2 Kings 5:9-14
But I live in a frantic world of silly hatreds and angers,
where we imagine unprovoked attacks and mindless
violence. There are not enough quiet moments.
There is no ease in my busy world. My dis-ease
is obvious - my lack of peace visible on my skin,
an angry tattoo I live with, knowing it is killing me.
I expect respect, dignity. I am good at what I do.
I am important. I resent being ignored (distained?).
I am safe in my anger, blameless in my resentment.
My anger is really fear: fear of disappointment.
I will put that aside. I will give this foreign god
a moment of trust. A moment costs me nothing.
In quiet moments I feel myself in God, sensing my birth in God, longing for my home as a deer in drought longs for pools of cool, fresh water.
Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God and asking for the grace to grow closer: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time as I reach out to you, and ask that you guide me now, and each day, closer to 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 this from one of today's readings, 2 Kings 5:9-14
Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house.
The prophet sent him the message: “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will heal, and you will be clean.”
But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out and stand there to invoke the LORD his God, and would move his hand over the spot, and thus cure the leprosy.”
With this, he turned about in anger and left.
But his servants came up and reasoned with him. “My father,” they said, “if the prophet had told you to do something extraordinary, would you not have done it? All the more now, since he said to you, ‘Wash and be clean,’ should you do as he said.”
So Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
Focus on a significant word or phrase in this passage or the meditation for a few moments.
Is there a word of phrase that 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 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word LONGING or TRUST.
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.
Is there a word of phrase that 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 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word LONGING or TRUST.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment