Meditation: Share as God shares

A lamp to my feet is your word,

a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

  

You gave us everything O Lord:

the inspiration of each new dawn,

the warmth of the sun,

the laughter and tears of a child,

the love we share with each other.

The glow of love lights our way.

You gave us minds to understand,

eyes to see and ears to hear, 

fingers to touch and hands to make,

hearts to overflow, passions and 

loves to inspire us, to light our paths to you.

The glow of love lights our way.

We are so easily distracted from life:

in our resentments and angers,

our constant re-viewing of the past,

in our fears for the future, we 

stumble blindly through the gift of this moment.

The glow of love lights our way.

Your Creation is full of signposts, 

moments of joy in the eyes

of those we love, and in 

the surprised thanks of strangers:

all that joins us, in the joining, lights our path to God.

The glow of love lights our way.

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, Matthew 5:38-42

   Jesus said to his disciples:

   “You have heard that it was said, 

   An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
   But I say to you,

   offer no resistance to one who is evil.
   When someone strikes you on your right cheek,

   turn the other one to him as well.
   If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,

   hand him your cloak as well.
   Should anyone press you into service for one mile,

   go with him for two miles.
   Give to the one who asks of you,

   and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”

Focus on a significant word or phrase in this passage or the meditation for a few moments.

Is there a word or 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 SHARE or GIVE.

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.