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| Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, dancing for joy in the presence of God and community after ordination of women priests! www.arcwp.org |
1.Mindfulness/Contemplation
Music: Chant
Be aware that you dwell in infinite love,
here you experience boundless forgiveness, compassionate healing, and
liberating empowerment.
So in this meditation practice, sit still, be
aware of your breath, if you need a prayer word to center you, select on, such
as God, Love, Sophia, Jesus… whatever feels appropriate for your journey at
this time. The object is not to think about anything or feel anything, it is
simply to be mindful of the present moment where you dwell in the Holy One in love beyond imagining.
2: Praying with Companions on the Journey:
The miraculous power that filled Jesus, the
disciples and the saints is available to all who love God. Through this power
of the Spirit, Jesus said that we would do greater things then he did. So, all
of us are called to experience that spiritual power in our relationships and
ministries. Jan Richardson points out that the illumined Celtic Gospel Books
with their spiraling, turning, twisting patterns remind us that “a place of
mystery exists within the landscape of our faith, that we never really know a
terrain until we allow ourselves to get lost in it, and that the complexities
and complications of our lives can offer beauty.” Jan L. Richardson, In the Sanctuary of Women,
pp80-81.)
This exercise, can be done in silence and in small
groups of 2 or 3.
(
Depending on relationship, custom,, culture, if appropriate and comfortable for
both persons, you could hold hands or place a hand on a person’s head or
shoulder during the prayer session.)
We are instrument of God’s loving presence \for each other. When praying, let the love in
the heart of God for this person flow through you… when receiving, open
yourself to receiving the spiritual treasures in this prayerful encounter.
4. Sacred Reading/Lectio Divino
Monastics from the times of the desert mothers and fathers, have
used sacred reading to move deeper into meaning of scriptures for daily living.
In sacred reading we contemplate a text to savor its hidden treasures and
meaning. Each day, we may hear a different message or encounter the Holy One
with fresh eyes, The possibilities of Spirit grace "speaking" to us
are endless. In the midst of savoring sacred texts, we make connections
with the stories, words and
metaphors , we let the words sink deeply into our
minds and spirits.
As we come with receptive hearts and listen deeply, new
doors to the sacred unfold that reveal the indwelling presence of divinity in
our midst.
One example, Jesus said: “ I am with you always.” This biblical verse has filled me with deep
joy in times of rejoicing and great comfort in times of struggle.
Sacred Practice 4: The Sacred Text of Our Lives
We are created in the image of God and a sanctuary for God's
presence in our world. As Jan Richardson writes: "We can also practice lectio
with our lives. Our experiences, our memories, our stories, all that we carry
around within us, this is material for pondering, for reflection, for prayer
Inscribed with the word of God in our very being, we are ourselves sacred
texts." ( Jan Richardson, In the Sanctuary of Women, p. 127) When
we see ourselves and others as the face of God in our world, we can contemplate
the holy presence of divine love, strength, healing, and peace in our every
breath, in our every thought, word and deed. A whole new world, beyond anything
we could ever imagine opens up to us. In our lives heaven and earth meet- no
matter what happens-God is embracing us with abundant love. Keeping a
journal, painting, poetry or any of the creative arts can help us grow in
consciousness of our lives as sacred texts.
Blessing:
When the way is clear, we give thanks .
When the way is painful, we pray for healing and
strength.
When we get lost in the complexities and
complications of our lives, we pray for wisdom and discernment.
When we experience rejection and confusion, we
pray for forgiveness and illumination.
When we face obstacles that challenge us, we
pray for solidarity and joy as we accompany one another on the journey.
May Holy Wisdom accompany us as we
minister to one another and celebrating our oneness and diversity as the face
of God in our world.
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