Meditation: God of Love

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

He brought you to life along with him,
having forgiven us all our transgressions ...

Paul's letter to the Colossians 2:13

Despite our awe of God, 

our fear of the unknowable power,

despite all our mind and our church 

telling us that we are not worthy ...

   ... we are, in fact, created individually by God,

   loved and cherished as children by our Parent,

   worthy and destined and forgiven

   by our God who made us, loves us,

   and wants always only the best for us.

We see our God as distant and powerful and just 

a little aloof (having all these children to care for). 

But, in fact, God's love overflows in the moments 
any one of us stretches out and, with the lightest
touch of a single finger, brushes the warm light. 

God reaches out as we dare to knock, hears our voices, individually, as we think to ask,

and shares the joy of any parent when we dare to

reach out - no matter how hesitantly or clumsily.

   We are, in fact, created individually by God,

   loved and cherished as children by our Parent,

   worthy and destined and forgiven

   by our God who made us, loves us, and
   wants always only the best for us.

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 Luke 11:9-13 from today's Mass ... 

And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives;
and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
What father among you would hand his son a snake
when he asks for a fish?
Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will the Father in heaven
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?

Re-read the passage or the meditation - maybe read it slowly aloud.

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 LOVE or 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: 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.

Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 38

Meditation for Friday 18 March
... from the readings of the day:

The LORD is with me, like a mighty champion. Jeremiah 20:11
  

THE STONE 
The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. John 10:31

This stone - forged in the fires of Creation, touched 
by the Creator - might have been used to close a 
corner in a wall or house, might have whirled from 
David's sling, been kicked by kids, hurled at wolves;

... now gripped and arched back by a threatened 
man, eyes wide, face hardened with anger and hate. 

In future this same immortal stone might skip 
over water, be shaped as an arrowhead, be 
aggregated into concrete to build a church or a 
road, or be divided polished and worn, but is today

... still gripped and arched back by a threatened 
man, eyes wide, face hardened with anger and hate. 

In future this same immortal man might sing in 
prayer, become renowned for his poetry or 
woodwork, become a gentle father and begin a 
shining dynasty. But today he holds the stone

... still gripped and arched back by a threatened 
man, eyes wide, face hardened with anger and hate. 

   

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, John 10:31-33 

The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus.
Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father.
For which of these are you trying to stone me?”
The Jews answered him,
“We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.
You, a man, are making yourself God.”

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 ANGER or the phrase CHILD OF 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.

Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 15

Meditation for Wednesday 24 February

... from the readings of the day:

"Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. 

Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

Matthew 20:27-28

The glory of position and recognition

are traps of our evolved mind, 

indicating only successes in conflict 

and possible priority in reproduction!

But they are hard-lost mirages based on

a million hints and expectations from our world.

I am who I am - no more than a child 

standing head bowed before my God, 

human rank a phantom, a distant daydream.

See the fever dream of separation and rank

resolve into wholeness, connection and peace.

Our joy is in unity, not winning; community, not rank: 

a single choir singing the harmony of Creation.

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 20:24-28

But Jesus summoned them and said, 

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. 

Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. 

Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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 ONE or UNITY.

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.

Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 11

Meditation for Saturday 20 February
... from the readings of the day:

But I say to you, love your enemies,
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
Matthew 5,44-45

O child of my heart, I love you so much.
Made in my image, each day I see more of
myself in you. I see myself in your joy in living,
and the delight you share so easily.

I see myself in your care for your brothers 
and sisters, in your love for your parents.
When you reach out in love to new people,
also my loved children, I see myself in you.

And I see you stretching out to others of my children

with my love and justice in your heart, 
slowly becoming aware that each one is created
in the same image and is part of the same body,

part of you, my only child. 

Then my spirit weeps, overwhelmed with love for you,
O child of my heart.

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 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 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples:“You have heard that it was said,You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.But I say to you, love your enemies,and pray for those who persecute you,that you may be children of your heavenly Father,for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?Do not the tax collectors do the same?And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,what is unusual about that?Do not the pagans do the same?So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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

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 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word ONE 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.

Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 9

Meditation for Thursday 18 February
... from the readings of the day:

Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
Matthew 7:9-10

Our Papa, Abba, our loving Father, you made 
each of us, and are so proud of each one.
We know you want only good for us. 
You give us everything we truly ask for.

But we do need to actually ask; 
but not to "let Abba know" - 
God knows what is right for us before we do. 

Jesus tries so hard to be clear and explain: 

it is up to us to find ways to 
seek in faith - working with God so we discover what we need to fulfil God's will; to
knock in hope - and open doors 

we had not thought were for us; then to
ask in love - already in unity with God's plan;
to ask knowing it is ours, able to
say thank you before we finish asking!


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 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 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples:“Ask and it will be given to you;seek and you will find;knock and the door will be opened to you.For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.Which one of you would hand his son a stonewhen he asked for a loaf of bread,or a snake when he asked for a fish?If you then, who are wicked,know how to give good gifts to your children,how much more will your heavenly Father give good thingsto those who ask him.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

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

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 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word FATHER.

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.