Meditation: Be ready

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ka au, ka au, ka awatea.
(It is light. It is light. It is dawn.)






For where your treasure is, 
there also will your heart be.
Luke 12:34

My God:
I know you are everywhere and are everything.
I know that you are in me always
and are my life.

Help me to become more aware of this:
   to recognise what I see,
   to truly and deeply love what I recognise,
   to sing with joy each moment as you touch me with your love.

Help me to empty my mind so I can:
   hear the whisper of your word,
   feel the hush of your movement in me,
   recognise your eternal presence in my brief life.

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 ask for God's help and to open yourself to God's input. We cannot do this on our own.

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 12:35-40 from today's Mass ... 

Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.  

Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have the servants recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watchand find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.  

Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

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: Psalm 139

My God, you made me and know me; 

you have watched me learn and grow. 

You know my shames and sorrows,

my fears and angers and desires. You know

my hopeful dreams and the good you made me for. 

You know me deep to my heart.

   You made me with a destiny 

   too big for my understanding, 

   a beauty too glorious for my eyes. 

   You made me like you, to join myself to you.

I forget you and your dream for me each hour,

misled on the paths of my day. Seeming apart,

I rely on my own strength and wisdom and will.

But you are never apart, drawing me back

with a word in my mind, a pebble in my shoe,

or a surge of joy and unity in my heart.

   You made me with a destiny 

   too big for my understanding, 

   a beauty too glorious for my eyes. 

   You made me like you to join myself to you.

And so I struggle to be with you in each moment,

seeking glimpses of truth, moments I know your love. 

I fight the attractive dead-end paths. I know 

this struggle is where I uncover my purpose, but I still hate it because every moment on a false path is a moment I separate myself from you.

   You made me with a destiny 

   too big for my understanding, 

   a beauty too glorious for my eyes.

   You made me like you to join myself to you.

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 the real Psalm 139

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

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 KNOW or ALWAYS.

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 44

Meditation for Thursday 24 March
... from the readings of the day:

This day shall be a memorial feast for you: a pilgrimage to the Lord.
Exodus 12:14


WASHING FEET WITH PETER
I came to bring you to Life. You think you are alive, but you walk in dreams. That is not the Life you were born for. You need to wake up.

You cannot come to Life unless you can sacrifice each of the things in yourself you think define you. You will Live only when you can take into your heart your crosses, your shames and poverties.

You must be humble; let go your pride and wash feet with me. You think your little list defines who you are, and why you are loved. God knows you are so much more. Let go your rank and stature; they are unheeded shackles, worn so long you think they are part of you! Kneel with me.

I will show you how to be born again, how to be resurrected into a full new Life. 

You must be your Father's little child - not rapt in your own glory beginning to think you are all-powerful, knowing all. I am on my knees washing your feet, my friends, so that you stay my friends and do not become my worshippers, pushing me away - no longer one of you. We are brothers and sisters: what I do, you can do - you must do - to gain Life.

I submit to whips and thorns, pain and shame so that I do not become the angry man leading a revolution of spears and swords and breaking. I go tonight to those who hate me and show them, and you, that I love them. I forgive them. They too are my brothers and sisters. 

My cross, my death, will set me free and give me Life - will show you how to free yourself too, and how to wake the world. 

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 13:1-8 ... 

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father.
He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.
So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power
and that he had come from God and was returning to God,
he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.
He took a towel and tied it around his waist.
Then he poured water into a basin
and began to wash the disciples’ feet
and dry them with the towel around his waist.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered him,
“Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”

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 LIGHT or SONG.

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 36

Meditation for Wednesday 16 March
... from the readings of the day:

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance. 

Luke 8:15 

Although most do not notice,
each one of us has a choice: 
live caught up in the 
ways of the world we see 
and live in bondage

- or, live in Jesus and be free. 

The world tells us that we live alone;
fighting to survive in a domain where
dogs eat dogs-like-me

but, in truth, we are all part

of one incarnation, living our

lives as vital parts of the

body of Christ.

The world tells us that there is
not enough - of anything; 
that to survive we need
to accumulate and hoard and compete.

But we know there is enough

if we seek just our daily bread.

Fear of scarcity daunts us.

Fear of famine
leads us to compete, uncovering slights
and threats, eliminating rivals -  
bogies to fear and loathe and motivate
our anger and hatred, 
looking always for difference, 
looking always at the 
wrapping and packaging, not the heart 
of a brother or sister within

but we could live in peace

with quiet hearts;

singing in choral harmony, not

countless
tuneless soloists jangling against
the orchestra of creation,

living in love rather than 

in fear and resentment.

Loving God, Creator of us all:

calm our fears. Help us live sure of you,

trusting in your love, quieting

our frantic minds so that we can hear

our truer selves speak to us of love and compassion, sharing and equality, 

and harmony.

And then, we pray, give us the courage

to live in the face of clamouring voices

from a world still living 
in fear and resentment.

We ask this in the name of Jesus

who trusted in you, 

took courage from you, 

died, and rose again 
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 this from one of today's readings, John 8:31-37

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him,
“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham
and have never been enslaved to anyone.
How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” 

Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
A slave does not remain in a household forever,
but a son always remains.
So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.
I know that you are descendants of Abraham.
But you are trying to kill me,
because my word has no room among you.”

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 FREE or 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 23

Meditation for Thursday 3 March
... from the readings of the day:

Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Luke 11:23

If I am not tuned to your station, I hear only static.
Living white noise, I am not my true self.

O my God, I try to live with you in my life
but I get caught up in busy-ness, in travel, in 
maintenance, and my awareness of you
fades away.

If I am not tuned to your orchestra, I am discordant.
Outside the harmony, I am not my true self.

My God, I am distracted by thoughts of revenge
and pay-back for imagined attacks. Even when I know
I over-react, I buy into the shame and slight and I
leave you out.

If I do not fly in formation, I tire and fall.
If I cannot soar, I am not my true self.

When I try to live without you in my life, I
quickly drift into day dreams of some rosy future
or bitter past: I waste my now replaying movies
where you are not.

If I do not work with you, my fruitless effort is hard.
Without joy, I am not my true self.

O my God, help me to touch your eternity in
each moment, to live in the silences between
the ticking of the clock. Teach me to live each
moment in you.

Whoever is not with you is against you,
and whoever does not gather with you, scatters.

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, Jeremiah 7:23-24

Thus says the LORD: This is what I commanded my people: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper.
But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me.

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 LIVE IN 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.