... from the readings of the day:
Brothers and sisters: Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.
2 COR 5:17
“Whoever is in Christ is a new creation:
the old things have passed away; look,
new things have come.”
New things have come: we are born in two worlds
New things have come: we are born in two worlds
- and must choose to live in the opaque threatening
world of limits, surfaces, sensations - or a mysterious
translucent universe hinting at life and resurrection.
world of limits, surfaces, sensations - or a mysterious
translucent universe hinting at life and resurrection.
New things have come; for years we clung to banal
expectations of work, seeking happiness and security,
clichéd superficial experiences for a full life: a
clichéd superficial experiences for a full life: a
glitzy daydream obscuring soft aura of possibility.
we are tenants in temporary accommodation! We come to love our squat, but reality of love and awe
and joy await us the moment we know who we are.
“Whoever is in Christ is a new creation:
the old things have passed away; look,
new things have come.”
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, Luke 15:16-20
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, Luke 15:16-20
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father.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 phrase CHANGE or CREATION.
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