Week 2 - Going Deeper
I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. -John 17:20-23
Consider that God calls everything into creation through the voice of Jesus Christ. God is at this moment sustaining you and all your world out of God’s own being. You exist because God, Father, Son and Spirit, is gazing upon you at this moment and every moment of your existence loving you into being. Do you believe this? Can you receive this love?
Conversation (colloquy) with Jesus. Imagine Jesus sitting with you and having a compassionate and loving conversation. What does he look like? What do you imagine his voice sounds like? Does he gaze kindly at you? (If he is harsh, condemning or rude this is not from God’s Spirit but from the dark.) Continue the conversation with Jesus.
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Below are the prayer sessions for week 2. Enjoy!
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Day 1 - Graces I ask for:
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To gaze on God, gazing on me.To feel and to know that I am special in God’s sight
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To have the ability to face my own desires for security, and my efforts to control God
Text: John 1. 1-14
Day 2
Same graces
Text: Psalm 139.1-10
Consider: The same questions as yesterday’s consideration.
Conversation with Jesus or with Mary, Jesus’ Mother
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Day 3
Same Graces
Consider your great grandparents. Did you know any of them? Has anyone ever told you about them? What made them get together and share life? What genes did you inherit from them? Consider 10 generations back. . . who were all these people whose life choices caused you to (remotely but really) come to be? What kind of God would care so much for the creation that he keeps all this in mind?
Conversation with Jesus on the Cross: When you have loved me so much, what have I done for you?
Day 4
Grace: How faithfully have I responded to God’s love for me? Call Called me into life and then shared the gift of Divine Life with me in Baptism. How seriously do I consider this gift day after day?
Gen 3.1-19.
Consider how often people in the world choose to try to be god for themselves. What affect does this have on the world?
Conversation with Jesus on the Cross – talk to Jesus about the world as you see it right now in relation to God’s loving kindness.
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Day 5
Same Graces
Prayer with Today’s news accounts. See hand out on this meditation
Consider again the state of a world where many do not see God acting in love toward them.
Conversation with Jesus on the Cross about your thoughts and feelings. End with an act of Contrition.
Day 6
Repetition of key graces of Days 4 and 5 - What are you feeling and thinking as you take up this prayer? What does God want you to discover by entering this prayer and asking for the graces of this week?
Conversation with Jesus on the cross about what you are now doing and what you can do to be more responsive to His perfect love for you.
Day 7
Grace: The ability to know and follow Jesus as friend, companion, and co-worker in His Vineyard
Jn 1. 35-42
Consider: Do you believe anything that you have been thinking about and considering this past week? Does it move your feelings? How and Why? What do you most want from this prayer you are engaging in?
Conversation with Jesus – respond to his invitation to John’s disciples who follow him.
REMEMBER: to pray for every other member of our family of parishes. Ask for the grace of interior freedom throughout the day.
It's very helpful, actually essential, to have a small faith-sharing group to belong to. Let us know if you need to find / begin one