All posts by Beth Price

13 ~ LANZAR A LAS PROFUNDIDADES

Archdio of St. Paul Minneapolis, Compañero

~ 13 ~ 

“LANZAR A LAS PROFUNDIDADES” ~
“Con tu palabra echaré las redes”. 

Preparo mi corazón para orar
Al comenzar, me tomo un momento para percibir la Presencia del Señor ante mí,mirándome con amor, deseando hablarle a mi corazón.

En oración, leo Lucas 5, 1-11
Después de leer en oración, pido una gracia que deseo en este momento de oración.

Usando mi razonamiento:

  • Piense en lo que está sucediendo en la escena; ¿Cuáles son las palabras de acción?
  • ¿Quiénes son las personas en la escena? Cuál es el lugar ¿Qué cosas se describen?
  • ¿Qué palabras me llaman la atención? ¿Qué significa esto para mí?

Usando mi imaginación:

  • Me imagino en la escena, ¿soy un observador o participante? ¿A quién me siento atraído?
  • Usando todos mis sentidos, ¿qué veo? ¿Qué escucho? ¿Qué siento, huelo o pruebo?

Reflexiono sobre lo que Dios le dice a mi corazón:

  • Mientras reflexiono, utilizo mis sentidos espirituales para reconocer lo que está ocurriendo en mi corazón: mis pensamientos, sentimientos y deseos. (Reconocer significa ver, notar, darse cuenta, nombrar).
    Es importante hacer esto, ya que mis pensamientos, sentimientos y deseos dan forma a mis acciones.
  • Busco la verdad que el Señor me está comunicando. Le pido a Jesús que me dé su mente y sus pensamientos para ver con los ojos de su corazón lo que hoy quiere revelarme. ¿Cómo me está llamando Jesús a aplicar esta verdad a mi vida?

Reflexión Guiada
Citado de “Una Introducción Ignaciana a la Oración”,
por el padre Timothy M Gallagher, O.M.V1

Estoy ahí, en la orilla del lago, por la mañana. Veo a Jesús de pie junto al agua, las multitudes, las barcas preparadas en la orilla. Las multitudes lo presionan para escuchar su enseñanza. Me mezclo con ellos, escucho como Jesús enseña …

“Jesús, subiendo a una de las barcas, que era de Simón, le pidió que se apartara un poco de la orilla”. Me acerco … y ahora estoy presente en la barca mientras Jesús y Pedro
hablan …

Estoy con Pedro, tal vez me siento movido a tomar el lugar de Pedro … y escucho al Señor decirme, como a Pedro: “Rema mar adentro”. ¡Marcha a lo profundo! No continúes simplemente como lo has hecho hasta ahora, sino que ve a lo profundo de tu vida espiritual diaria, viviendo tu llamado …

Esta primera petición no fue difícil: “le pidió que se apartara un poco de la orilla”. La segunda es más demandante: “Remar mar adentro…” Le pido al Señor que me muestre dónde me está llamando para salir de nuevo… para profundizar en mi vocación…

Pedro expresa mi propia sensación de impotencia: “¡Hemos trabajado la noche entera y no hemos sacado nada!” Meses, incluso años de trabajo y las mismas dificultades
continúan …

Pero ahora, llega el momento de la gracia, el momento de la fe, el momento de confiar con valentía en la palabra del Señor: “pero si tú lo dices, echaré las redes”. Le pido al Señor que me dé nueva fortaleza, una nueva confianza en su palabra … para que pueda dar ese nuevo paso…

Veo la fecundidad asombrosa de este simple acto de confianza en la palabra del Señor, en la invitación del Señor a “remar” a “mar adentro”: El trabajo inútil se transforma en una abundancia desbordante … las redes se llenan hasta romperse, las barcas a su máxima capacidad …

Mi vida también puede cambiar …

Pedro, sintiendo la cercanía de Dios en Jesús, siente también su propio pecado: “Aléjate de mí …” No puedo estar tan cerca de lo Divino …

La respuesta de Jesús es inmediata: “No temas”. No tengas miedo … lo escucho decir estas palabras, una y otra vez, a mi corazón, a
mi miedo …

Y le da a Pedro, me da a mí, una participación en su propia misión de salvación: “De ahora en adelante serás pescador de hombres”.

Dejan todo y lo siguen …

Te pido esta gracia en este tiempo de oración:
Conversa con Dios2

Reconocer:

  • ¿Cuáles son los pensamientos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo creo …
  • ¿Cuáles son los sentimientos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo siento …
  • ¿Cuáles son los deseos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo deseo … 

Relacionar:    

Honestamente relaciono esto con Dios; le hablo a Él de esto, confiando en que está presente y escuchándome a mí, su amado hijo.

Recibir:

  • Escucho lo que el Señor quiere decirle a mi corazón, sabiendo que Su amor es gratuito e incondicional. Recibo su amor y consuelo. Confío en que Él anhela consolarme, animarme, fortalecerme, curarme, perdonarme…
  • Le permito a Él que me guíe; quizás volviendo a la escritura …

Responder en oración:

  • Concluyo mi tiempo de oración hablando con Jesús, con Dios Padre y / o el Espíritu Santo como le hablaría a un amigo. También puedo invocar la intercesión de María y los santos. (San Ignacio llama a esto un coloquio).

Alábalo – doy gloria a Dios por quien es; por ser todo bueno y amoroso; por ser mi Señor y salvador…

Agradécele – por nuestro tiempo juntos; por su palabra para mí; por los regalos que me ha dado hoy …

Pídele … por ayuda, gracia, fuerza, sabiduría, fe más profunda…

  • En base a lo que Dios está diciendo a mi corazón, me propongo actuar de la siguiente manera concreta para amar a Dios y amar al prójimo (que podría ser algo pequeño). Hoy voy a …

Descansen en el Señor:
“Quédense quietos y sepan que yo soy Dios”

Psalm 46, 10

 

1 Gallagher, T., 2008. Una Introducción Ignaciana a la Oración: Reflexiones Bíblicas Según los Ejercicios Espirituales. Nueva York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

2 Esta forma de conversar con Dios en oración a menudo llamada RRRR (ARRR por sus siglas en inglés) es enseñada por el Instituto para la Formación Sacerdotal de Omaha Nebraska. Para obtener más información, consulte Father Traynor, Scott (2013) La Parroquia Como Escuela de Oración y, Dwyer, Karen y Lawrence (2011) WRAP Yourself in Scripture (Publicaciones de IPF).

 

12 ~ LA MUJER SAMARITANA

Archdio of St. Paul Minneapolis, Compañero

~ 12 ~ 

LA MUJER SAMARITANA ~
“Si conocieras el don de Dios…”

Preparo mi corazón para orar
Al comenzar, me tomo un momento para percibir la Presencia del Señor ante mí,mirándome con amor, deseando hablarle a mi corazón.

En oración, leo Juan 4, 1-42
Después de leer en oración, pido una gracia que deseo en este momento de oración.

Usando mi razonamiento:

  • Piense en lo que está sucediendo en la escena; ¿Cuáles son las palabras de acción?
  • ¿Quiénes son las personas en la escena? Cuál es el lugar ¿Qué cosas se describen?
  • ¿Qué palabras me llaman la atención? ¿Qué significa esto para mí?

Usando mi imaginación:

  • Me imagino en la escena, ¿soy un observador o participante? ¿A quién me siento atraído?
  • Usando todos mis sentidos, ¿qué veo? ¿Qué escucho? ¿Qué siento, huelo o pruebo?

Reflexiono sobre lo que Dios le dice a mi corazón:

  • Mientras reflexiono, utilizo mis sentidos espirituales para reconocer lo que está ocurriendo en mi corazón: mis pensamientos, sentimientos y deseos. (Reconocer significa ver, notar, darse cuenta, nombrar).
    Es importante hacer esto, ya que mis pensamientos, sentimientos y deseos dan forma a mis acciones.
  • Busco la verdad que el Señor me está comunicando. Le pido a Jesús que me dé su mente y sus pensamientos para ver con los ojos de su corazón lo que hoy quiere revelarme. ¿Cómo me está  llamando Jesús a aplicar esta verdad a mi vida?

Reflexión Guiada

Citado de “Una Introducción Ignaciana a la Oración”,
por el padre Timothy M Gallagher, O.M.V1

Estoy ahí junto al pozo … Veo la campiña seca que rodea el pozo, el camino de tierra … Siento el calor del mediodía …

Veo a Jesús sentado junto al pozo, solo, con el cansancio revelado en su rostro mientras descansa … Me doy cuenta de que me espera, de que tiene un “don de Dios” que
anhela darme hoy …

Veo a la mujer acercarse. Veo -quizá comparto- su fatiga, su carga de repetidos fracasos: cinco maridos, una y otra vez el mismo patrón de fracaso. Siento su sensación de impotencia, de carga, de incapacidad para cambiar … Con mi propia sensación de impotencia, de incapacidad para crecer como deseo, me quedo ahí, con ella, en su lugar, frente a Jesús …

Él habla: “Dame de beber”. Ella no huye de la conversación que se abre tan sencillamente… y su vida empieza a cambiar.

“Si conocieras el don de Dios…”  Le pido a Jesús que me ayude a conocer el don que me está ofreciendo incluso ahora, mientras oro. Pido por unos ojos espiritualmente abiertos para ver este don … y recibirlo en mi vida.

Observo, tomo su lugar, mientras Jesús, gentilmente y con gran respeto por las cargas de su corazón, le revela el sentido de su propia vida y la lleva a captar el don que él desea darle: “agua viva”, una nueva frescura en el poder del Espíritu.

El deseo por esta novedad brota en ella, en mí: “Dame de esa agua, que no tenga sed …”

Ahora se convierte en testigo de Jesús: “Vengan a ver a un hombre que me ha dicho todo lo que hice”. Ella ha encontrado un Corazón ante el cual no necesita esconder nada, ante el cual la apertura no hiere, sino que sana …

“Muchos más… de esa ciudad creyeron en él por el testimonio de la mujer”. Le pido al Señor que su toque sanador en mi vida me haga también un testigo, un canal de su luz para los demás …

Leo este pasaje lentamente, vivo este pasaje …

Te pido esta gracia en este tiempo de oración:
Conversa con Dios2

Reconocer:

  • ¿Cuáles son los pensamientos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo creo …
  • ¿Cuáles son los sentimientos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo siento …
  • ¿Cuáles son los deseos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo deseo … 

Relacionar:    

Honestamente relaciono esto con Dios; le hablo a Él de esto, confiando en que está presente y escuchándome a mí, su amado hijo.

Recibir:

  • Escucho lo que el Señor quiere decirle a mi corazón, sabiendo que Su amor es gratuito e incondicional. Recibo su amor y consuelo. Confío en que Él anhela consolarme, animarme, fortalecerme, curarme, perdonarme…
  • Le permito a Él que me guíe; quizás volviendo a la escritura …

Responder en oración:

  • Concluyo mi tiempo de oración hablando con Jesús, con Dios Padre y / o el Espíritu Santo como le hablaría a un amigo. También puedo invocar la intercesión de María y los santos. (San Ignacio llama a esto un coloquio).

Alábalo – doy gloria a Dios por quien es; por ser todo bueno y amoroso; por ser mi Señor y salvador…

Agradécele – por nuestro tiempo juntos; por su palabra para mí; por los regalos que me ha dado hoy …

Pídele … por ayuda, gracia, fuerza, sabiduría, fe más profunda…

  • En base a lo que Dios está diciendo a mi corazón, me propongo actuar de la siguiente manera concreta para amar a Dios y amar al prójimo (que podría ser algo pequeño). Hoy voy a …

 

Descansen en el Señor:
“Quédense quietos y sepan que yo soy Dios”

Psalm 46, 10

 

1 Gallagher, T., 2008. Una Introducción Ignaciana a la Oración: Reflexiones Bíblicas Según los Ejercicios Espirituales. Nueva York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

2 Esta forma de conversar con Dios en oración a menudo llamada RRRR (ARRR por sus siglas en inglés) es enseñada por el Instituto para la Formación Sacerdotal de Omaha Nebraska. Para obtener más información, consulte Father Traynor, Scott (2013) La Parroquia Como Escuela de Oración y, Dwyer, Karen y Lawrence (2011) WRAP Yourself in Scripture (Publicaciones de IPF).

11 ~ LA PRIMERA DE LAS SEÑALES

Archdio of St. Paul Minneapolis, Compañero

~ 11 ~ 

 LA PRIMERA DE LAS SEÑALES ~
“Haz lo que él te diga”. 

Preparo mi corazón para orar
Al comenzar, me tomo un momento para percibir la Presencia del Señor ante mí, mirándome con amor, deseando hablarle a mi corazón.

En oración, leo Juan 2, 1-11
Después de leer en oración, pido una gracia que deseo en este momento de oración.

 

Usando mi razonamiento:

  • Piense en lo que está sucediendo en la escena; ¿Cuáles son las palabras de acción?
  • ¿Quiénes son las personas en la escena? Cuál es el lugar ¿Qué cosas se describen?
  • ¿Qué palabras me llaman la atención? ¿Qué significa esto para mí?

Usando mi imaginación:

  • Me imagino en la escena, ¿soy un observador o participante? ¿A quién me siento atraído?
  • Usando todos mis sentidos, ¿qué veo? ¿Qué escucho? ¿Qué siento, huelo o pruebo?

Reflexiono sobre lo que Dios le dice a mi corazón:

  • Mientras reflexiono, utilizo mis sentidos espirituales para reconocer lo que está ocurriendo en mi corazón: mis pensamientos, sentimientos y deseos. (Reconocer significa ver, notar, darse cuenta, nombrar).
    Es importante hacer esto, ya que mis pensamientos, sentimientos y deseos dan forma a mis acciones.
  • Busco la verdad que el Señor me está comunicando. Le pido a Jesús que me dé su mente y sus  pensamientos para ver con los ojos de su corazón lo que hoy quiere revelarme. ¿Cómo me está llamando Jesús a aplicar esta verdad a mi vida?

Reflexión Guiada

Citado de “Una Introducción Ignaciana a la Oración”,
por el padre Timothy M Gallagher, O.M.V1

Estoy presente en la boda. Veo a la Madre de Jesús, veo al propio Jesús, a los primeros discípulos, a los esposos, a la multitud, la celebración… Vivo todo este acontecimiento, presente, mirando, escuchando, contemplando…

Este momento está lleno de significado: Dios, en Jesús, el Verbo hecho Carne, el Esposo divino, ha venido a morar, a casarse con su pueblo …

“No tienen vino”. Poco a poco, el vino comienza a faltar … y María ve la necesidad no expresada. Ella parece la primera en darse cuenta. Muestra su profunda sensibilidad a las situaciones humanas y las necesidades no expresadas que la rodean, incluso a las pequeñas necesidades de los demás … alerta, atenta …

¿Soy como ella? ¿Veo las necesidades no expresadas de las otras personas con las que vivo?  ¿Necesidades de ayuda, de compañía, de compartir?

María no solamente lo nota. Ella se vuelve activa en esta situación de necesidad. Ella se involucra. Ella trae la necesidad a Jesús, está comprometida hasta el final, hasta que se satisface la necesidad.

¿Me doy cuenta de las situaciones y me mantengo apartado? ¿Asumo, quizás con demasiada facilidad, que no puedo contribuir, que no puedo ayudar?

“Oh mujer, ¿qué tenemos que ver nosotros?” Una respuesta enigmática, no fácil de entender… Sin embargo, María muestra valentía, está segura de Jesús. No se rinde, no dice que lo ha intentado en vano … Persiste. Ella conoce a su Hijo …

A veces trato de ayudar, de mejorar las cosas … y mis esfuerzos parecen no encontrar respuesta. ¿Me rindo? ¿Digo que lo he intentado, pero que no sirvió de nada? Ahora le pido a María que me hable de su valiente y continua participación …

Veo a Jesús obrar su primera señal, su primer milagro … Veo a los sirvientes llenar las tinajas, al mayordomo de la fiesta mientras prueba el agua convertida en vino …

Veo la reacción de los discípulos: ven su gloria y la fe nace en ellos …


Te pido esta gracia en este tiempo de oración:
Conversa con Dios2

Reconocer:

  • ¿Cuáles son los pensamientos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo creo …
  • ¿Cuáles son los sentimientos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo siento …
  • ¿Cuáles son los deseos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo deseo …

Relacionar:

Honestamente relaciono esto con Dios; le hablo a Él de esto, confiando en que está presente y escuchándome a mí, su amado hijo.

Recibir:

  • Escucho lo que el Señor quiere decirle a mi corazón, sabiendo que Su amor es gratuito e incondicional. Recibo su amor y consuelo. Confío en que Él anhela consolarme, animarme, fortalecerme, curarme, perdonarme…
  • Le permito a Él que me guíe; quizás volviendo a la escritura …

Responder en oración:

  • Concluyo mi tiempo de oración hablando con Jesús, con Dios Padre y / o el Espíritu Santo como le hablaría a un amigo. También puedo invocar la intercesión de María y los santos.
    (San Ignacio llama a esto un coloquio).

Alábalo – doy gloria a Dios por quien es; por ser todo bueno y amoroso; por ser mi Señor y salvador…

Agradécele – por nuestro tiempo juntos; por su palabra para mí; por los regalos que me ha dado hoy …

Pídele … por ayuda, gracia, fuerza, sabiduría, fe más profunda…

  • En base a lo que Dios está diciendo a mi corazón, me propongo actuar de la siguiente manera concreta para amar a Dios y amar al prójimo (que podría ser algo pequeño). Hoy voy a …

Descansen en el Señor:
“Quédense quietos y sepan que yo soy Dios”

Psalm 46, 10

 

1 Gallagher, T., 2008. Una Introducción Ignaciana a la Oración: Reflexiones Bíblicas Según los Ejercicios Espirituales. Nueva York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

2 Esta forma de conversar con Dios en oración a menudo llamada RRRR (ARRR por sus siglas en inglés) es enseñada por el Instituto para la Formación Sacerdotal de Omaha Nebraska. Para obtener más  información, consulte Father Traynor, Scott (2013) La Parroquia Como Escuela de Oración y, Dwyer, Karen y Lawrence (2011) WRAP Yourself in Scripture (Publicaciones de IPF).

 

 

Discussion Questions for Week 5

Archdio of St. Paul Minneapolis, Discussion

Discussion Questions for Week 5:  Overcoming Obstacles

1. One of the great obstacles to prayer is spiritual desolation. What are some ways that you can combat spiritual desolation? (Remember to be patient and gentle with yourself!)

2. St. Ignatius’ fifth rule for discernment of spirits says that in time of spiritual desolation never change your spiritual proposals. What are a few of your spiritual proposals which you strive to maintain even when experiencing spiritual desolation?

3. Describe an experience with a friend or small group that encouraged you in your faith. Do you currently have friends who can support you in your spiritual life? If not, how could you go about building a spiritual network?

4. Praying with A-R-R-R is a great tool to break through a spiritual struggle. Describe how you have prayed with these steps over the past few weeks. Where have you struggled? Where have you encountered God? How is he inviting you to persevere?

5. All of us have distractions in prayer and this is a normal thing. Sometimes our minds are racing, and other times we are distracted by something in particular. What are some practices you have found helpful in dealing with these different kinds of distractions?

6. One the most important things throughout our spiritual life is to do regular spiritual reading. What are some of your favorite books and/or saints?

7. Perseverance is an important virtue for growing in our prayer lives and living as authentic disciples. What is a reasonable amount of time that you could commit to pray each day? What are some concrete steps you could take to incorporate this into your daily life?

8. Can you identify times of consolation God has given you during these past few weeks? Recall when you encountered him and his particular love for you. How might reflecting on these experiences be helpful for you in the future?

Talk Outline for Week 5

Archdio of St. Paul Minneapolis, Discussion

Week #5: Overcoming Obstacles

Below is the outline for Talk 5, titled “Overcoming Obstacles.”  As you listen to the teaching video, follow along in this outline.  You may print this outline and use the space to the right for notes or use your own journal for notetaking.

Discussion questions for this talk can be found at the end of the outline.  If you are participating in this series together with a group, consider selecting some or all of these questions for your group discussion.

Talk Outline

I.  Overcoming Spiritual Desolation

  1. One of the great obstacles to our life if prayer is spiritual desolation. Spiritual desolation is heaviness of heart in my relationship with God, which comes from the enemy and prevents us from going forward in our spiritual life.
  2. It is important to remember the connection between natural desolation and spiritual desolation. Natural desolation can lead to spiritual desolation, but it does not have to do so.  If there is natural desolation, it can help the spiritual life to make changes at the natural level (for example, if I am exhausted from working too much, then I may need to figure out ways to work less).
  3. In times of spiritual desolation, never change your spiritual proposals.
    1. Spiritual proposals are things I do to strengthen and maintain my relationship with God.
    2. In desolation, we are tempted to give up on these. But this is the time they are the most important.
    3. When struggling, it can be helpful to do something extra in my spiritual life. Little acts can help a lot.  Instead of quitting prayer early, do just a little more (add 3-5 minutes!).
  4. When struggling in your spiritual life, be patient with yourself. Struggles are normal and discouragement makes them worse.
    1. Look for ways to encourage and be gentle with yourself.
    2. It can be helpful to do something extra in my spiritual life. This can be a little thing, such as go to Mass once more each week or go to confession.  Share your struggle with a friend with a strong prayer life.
    3. Keep practicing ARRR. Acknowledging and relating my struggle with honesty in prayer can make me open to receiving God’s way of seeing the struggle.  Journaling is helpful.  Consider which Scriptures you pray with.

II.   Overcoming Distractions

  1. Distractions in prayer are normal.
  2. General category 1 – a racing mind and it is hard to calm down and focus.
    1. Consider when you pray in the day. Try to find times where it is easier to focus.
    2. Try spiritual reading for 15 minutes or so before praying.
    3. Try to actively use your imagination in prayer.
    4. Remember that prayer is a work of the heart, more than the mind. It is possible for the heart to be loving God even while the mind is distracted.
  3. General category 2 – a particular thing is distracting me.
    1. Often times this is a problem I don’t have a solution to and may be affecting my relationship with God.
    2. In this case, bring it to the Lord in ARRR prayer. Acknowledge the distraction.  Tell the Lord why it bothers you.  By relating, I begin to be open to receiving how God sees this problem.
    3. Other ideas include bringing to mind a quote from Scripture, looking at a spiritual image, or praying in an Adoration chapel.

III. Regular Spiritual Reading

  1. Good books help us understand what is happening in our lives of prayer. They can spur our imagination and our desire to grow in prayer.  They can help us learn the ways of God.
  2. Some suggestions for those just beginning to learn how to pray are:
    1. Jacques Philippe, Time for God,
    2. Peter Kreef, Prayer for Beginners,
    3. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, and
    4. Timothy Gallagher, The Discernment of Spirits.

IV. Persevere

  1. One of the most important virtues for growing in a prayer life is perseverance.
  2. Parable of the Sower and the Seed. Persevere to develop deep roots.
  3. Every relationship takes work.
  4. God understands that it takes time for us to grow. What is important is that we don’t give up.  As long as we keep striving no matter how much we fail, we will continue to grow.

 

21~ NOT MY WILL BUT YOUR WILL

Companion

~ 21 ~

NOT MY WILL BUT YOUR WILL ~
“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.”

I prepare my heart for prayer
As I begin, I take a moment to become aware of the Lord present to me,
looking upon me with love, desiring to speak to my heart.

Prayerfully, I read Matthew 26:36-46
After prayerfully reading, I ask for a grace I desire in this time of prayer.

Using my reasoning:

• Think about what is happening in the scene; what are the action words?
• Who are the people in the scene? What is the place? What things are described?
• What words catch my attention? What does this mean to me?

Using my imagination:

• Imagining myself in the scene – am I an observer or participant? To whom am I drawn?
• Using all of my senses – what do I see? What do I hear? What do I feel, smell or taste?

Reflect on what God is saying to my heart:

• As I reflect, I use my spiritual senses to acknowledge what is transpiring in my heart – my thoughts, feelings and desires. (Acknowledge means to see, to notice, to become aware of, to name.)  This is important to do, as my thoughts, feelings and desires shape my actions.

• I look for the truth the Lord is communicating to me. I ask Jesus to give me his mind and his thoughts to see with the eyes of his heart what he wants to reveal to me today. How is Jesus calling me to apply this truth to my life?

Guided Reflection
Quoted from “An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer,”
by Father Timothy M Gallagher,O.M.V1

 

I accompany Jesus as now he enters his time of sorrow, of burden, the time of the cross … I ask him to show me, through his cross, the meaning of my own sorrows and burdens …

I join Jesus and the Eleven as they walk alongside the city walls toward the Garden of Gethsemane … It is night … I hear the quiet sounds of the night, I feel the heaviness in the hearts of the disciples. My heart too knows times of heaviness and foreboding …

“My soul is sorrowful even to death …” With great reverence, I ponder the sorrow of Jesus, a deep sorrow that nearly overwhelms his life itself … What stirs in his heart? In my heart? I speak to him of my own sorrow …

Now I see Jesus go a little farther into the Garden … and he is alone. The three near him sleep. Humanly, he is utterly alone, in his time of need. My heart too knows what it means to feel alone … I speak to him …

His energy fails him … He falls on his face upon the earth, and a cry rises with anguish from his heart, to the Father: “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me …” There is in Jesus a deep, deep desire to be freed of the burden he carries, the burden that lies ahead: “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me…” How often I too have prayed that prayer: let this cup pass … the cup of physical weakness and pain, of responsibility, of struggles in relationships … I am there with Jesus, prostrate on the earth …

“Yet, not as I will, but as you will.” Two wills: “as I will,” “as you will.” And, though it costs his humanity so much, Jesus bows his will to that of the Father … I pray with him, I ask the courage to accept, like Jesus, the Father’s will in my life …

He comes, seeking the companionship and support of those close to him … and they sleep … But now I do not sleep … I speak to him …

I watch as, a second time, Jesus repeats his acceptance of the Father’s will: “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again, a third time … and still he is alone …

“Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.” His prayer has strengthened him, he is ready to face the cross … I pray for that same strength …

I ask for this grace in this time of prayer:
Converse with God2

Acknowledge:

• What are the thoughts arising in my heart? I think …
• What are the feelings arising in my heart? I feel …
• What are the desires arising in my heart? I desire …

Relate:

I honestly relate these to God; I talk to him about them, trusting he is present and listening
to me, his beloved child.

Receive:

• I listen to what the Lord wants to say to my heart, knowing his love is gratuitous and unconditional.  I receive his love and consolation. I trust he longs to console me, to encourage me, to strengthen me, to heal me, to forgive me …

• I allow him to lead me; perhaps returning to the scripture …

Respond:
• I conclude my prayer time speaking to Jesus, God the Father, and/or the Holy Spirit as I would speak to a friend. I may also invoke the intercession of Mary and the Saints.
(St. Ignatius calls this a colloquy.)

Praise him – give glory to God for who he is; for being all good and loving; for being my Lord and savior …

Thank him – for our time together; for his word to me; for the gifts he has given me today …

Ask him – for his help, grace, strength, wisdom, deeper faith …

• Based on what God is saying to my heart, I resolve to act in the following concrete way to love God and love neighbor (which could be something small). Today I will …

Rest in the Lord: Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10

 

1 Gallagher, T., 2008. An Ignatian Introduction To Prayer: Scriptural Reflections According To The Spiritual Exercises. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

2 This way to converse with God in prayer often called ARRR is taught by The Institute for Priestly Formation out of Omaha Nebraska. For more information see Father Traynor, Scott (2013) The Parish as a School of Prayer and Dwyer, Karen and Lawrence (2011) WRAP Yourself in Scripture (IPF Publications).

24 ~ A JOURNEY INTO HOPE

Companion

~ 24 ~

A JOURNEY INTO HOPE ~
“Did not our hearts burn within us
while he talked to us on the road?”

I prepare my heart for prayer
As I begin, I take a moment to become aware of the Lord present to me,
looking upon me with love, desiring to speak to my heart.

Prayerfully, I read Luke 24:13-35
After prayerfully reading, I ask for a grace I desire in this time of prayer.

Using my reasoning:

• Think about what is happening in the scene; what are the action words?
• Who are the people in the scene? What is the place? What things are described?
• What words catch my attention? What does this mean to me?

Using my imagination:

• Imagining myself in the scene – am I an observer or participant? To whom am I drawn?
• Using all of my senses – what do I see? What do I hear? What do I feel, smell or taste?

Reflect on what God is saying to my heart:

• As I reflect, I use my spiritual senses to acknowledge what is transpiring in my heart – my thoughts, feelings and desires. (Acknowledge means to see, to notice, to become aware of, to name.)  This is important to do, as my thoughts, feelings and desires shape my actions.

• I look for the truth the Lord is communicating to me. I ask Jesus to give me his mind and his thoughts to see with the eyes of his heart what he wants to reveal to me today. How is Jesus calling me to apply this truth to my life?

 

Guided Reflection
Quoted from “An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer,”
by Father Timothy M Gallagher, O.M.V1 

I am there, walking with the two disciples. I feel the heaviness of their hearts: “We had hoped …” The energy of the beginnings is past, the time of trial and outward failure has come. They have seen Good Friday … and, now, the tomb … is empty, lifeless.

I walk with them along this country road … I listen to them talk. I see the sadness on their faces. I, too, have known this sadness of a disciple, when all seems to go wrong, when I cannot make sense of what God is doing …

Suddenly, Another is with us. He says little; he simply invites us to share the burdens of our hearts: “What is this conversation …?” “What things?” They pour out their story of a hope that is now passed, of their struggle …

I speak of my own hopes and disappointments … And he listens …

“O foolish men and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” He knows that they – and I – are not “hard” of heart, but only “slow” of heart. Too much has happened, too quickly, and they cannot grasp it in faith, cannot understand it.
They falter …

The Listener now speaks to their hearts. He “opens” to them the Scriptures and, slowly, they begin to understand … ”Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” “These things” – not the end of hope, but rather the necessary path toward glory …

The “slow” heart becomes a heart on fire: “Did not our hearts burn within us … while he opened to us the Scriptures?” I beg the divine Pilgrim, walking with me through life, for this same burning heart …

“Stay with us …” With them, I make this prayer from my heart to the Lord: Stay with me, Lord Jesus! “So he went in to stay with them …”

We share the meal, the breaking of the bread. And our eyes are opened. Faith flames up, renewed within us. Discouragement is transformed into the surety that the risen Lord is always with me, today, every day, of my life.

Now everything changes for them, for me. They return, with energy, to the heart of the community. And they bear witness to the risen Lord in the midst of others: “They told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.”

Now I am alone with the Lord. My heart speaks freely to him …

I ask for this grace in this time of prayer:
Converse with God2

Acknowledge:

• What are the thoughts arising in my heart? I think …
• What are the feelings arising in my heart? I feel …
• What are the desires arising in my heart? I desire …

Relate:

I honestly relate these to God; I talk to him about them, trusting he is present and listening
to me, his beloved child.

Receive:

• I listen to what the Lord wants to say to my heart, knowing his love is gratuitous and unconditional. I receive his love and consolation. I trust he longs to console me, to encourage me, to strengthen me, to heal me, to forgive me …

• I allow him to lead me; perhaps returning to the scripture …

Respond:

• I conclude my prayer time speaking to Jesus, God the Father, and/or the Holy Spirit as I would speak to a friend. I may also invoke the intercession of Mary and the Saints.
(St. Ignatius calls this a colloquy.)

Praise him – give glory to God for who he is; for being all good and loving; for being my Lord and savior …

Thank him – for our time together; for his word to me; for the gifts he has given me today …

Ask him – for his help, grace, strength, wisdom, deeper faith …

• Based on what God is saying to my heart, I resolve to act in the following concrete way to love God and love neighbor (which could be something small). Today I will …

Rest in the Lord: Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10

 

1 Gallagher, T., 2008. An Ignatian Introduction To Prayer: Scriptural Reflections According To The Spiritual Exercises. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

2 This way to converse with God in prayer often called ARRR is taught by The Institute for Priestly Formation out of Omaha Nebraska. For more information see Father Traynor, Scott (2013) The Parish as a School of Prayer and Dwyer, Karen and Lawrence (2011) WRAP Yourself in Scripture (IPF Publications).

23 ~ THE WOMAN IN TEARS

Companion

~ 23 ~

THE WOMAN IN TEARS ~
“Mary … Rabboni!”

I prepare my heart for prayer
As I begin, I take a moment to become aware of the Lord present to me,
looking upon me with love, desiring to speak to my heart.

Prayerfully, I read John 20:1, 11-18
After prayerfully reading, I ask for a grace I desire in this time of prayer.

Using my reasoning:

• Think about what is happening in the scene; what are the action words?
• Who are the people in the scene? What is the place? What things are described?
• What words catch my attention? What does this mean to me?

Using my imagination:

• Imagining myself in the scene – am I an observer or participant? To whom am I drawn?
• Using all of my senses – what do I see? What do I hear? What do I feel, smell or taste?

Reflect on what God is saying to my heart:

• As I reflect, I use my spiritual senses to acknowledge what is transpiring in my heart – my thoughts, feelings and desires. (Acknowledge means to see, to notice, to become aware of, to name.) This is important to do, as my thoughts, feelings and desires shape my actions.

• I look for the truth the Lord is communicating to me. I ask Jesus to give me his mind and his thoughts to see with the eyes of his heart what he wants to reveal to me today. How is Jesus calling me to apply this truth to my life?

 

Guided Reflection
Quoted from “An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer,”
by Father Timothy M Gallagher, O.M.V1

 

I watch Mary Magdalene come to the tomb in the early morning. She sees that the stone has been taken from the entrance … She does not look in, runs to find Simon and John, and returns after they leave the tomb (vv.1-10).

Now she stands alone outside the tomb. She stands, unable to leave, afraid to look into the darkness of the tomb. Her tears fall … yet still she remains there. I watch with reverence … I seek to understand those tears … I sense that she seems frozen in her sorrow …

I marvel now at her courage: “As she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.” She faces her pain, her fear: she looks into the darkness of the tomb … and finds that it is not as empty as she feared. A process begins that leads her from her tears to the Lord …

The angels ask: “Woman, why are you weeping?” I hear this question directed to my heart as well: Why are you weeping? Why is your heart heavy as you live day by day?

She sees the “gardener,” not recognizing Jesus who is already there with her, even as her tears fall … “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” I answer this question, speaking to the Lord from my heart …

“Jesus said to her ‘Mary.’” Simply her name … I hear him pronounce my name … That one word says everything to me, as it does to Mary …

“Rabboni!” One word … which says everything. She knows now that he is alive, and will live forever, that he is with her, that his love will never leave her, that he calls her by name … She is no longer the woman in tears … I speak now to the Lord. I respond from my heart to his greeting …

The encounter becomes mission: “Go to my brethren and say to them …” “Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples: ‘I have seen the Lord.’” I feel the joy, the delight, the energy, with which she proclaims the risen Lord.

“I have seen the Lord.” I speak with Mary Magdalene, I speak now with Jesus, and ask that this too be the central reality of my life, and my message to the world …

Now I sit with Mary. I gaze upon her face, and see there her radiant joy. I see the deep happiness of knowing herself loved, loved infinitely, loved forever … My heart
now speaks …

I ask for this grace in this time of prayer:
Converse with God2

Acknowledge:

• What are the thoughts arising in my heart? I think …
• What are the feelings arising in my heart? I feel …
• What are the desires arising in my heart? I desire …

Relate:

I honestly relate these to God; I talk to him about them, trusting he is present and listening
to me, his beloved child.

Receive:

• I listen to what the Lord wants to say to my heart, knowing his love is gratuitous and unconditional. I receive his love and consolation. I trust he longs to console me, to encourage me, to strengthen me, to heal me, to forgive me …

• I allow him to lead me; perhaps returning to the scripture …

Respond:

• I conclude my prayer time speaking to Jesus, God the Father, and/or the Holy Spirit as I would speak to a friend. I may also invoke the intercession of Mary and the Saints.
(St. Ignatius calls this a colloquy.)

Praise him – give glory to God for who he is; for being all good and loving; for being my Lord and savior …

Thank him – for our time together; for his word to me; for the gifts he has given me today …

Ask him – for his help, grace, strength, wisdom, deeper faith …

• Based on what God is saying to my heart, I resolve to act in the following concrete way to love God and love neighbor (which could be something small). Today I will …

 

Rest in the Lord: Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10

 

1 Gallagher, T., 2008. An Ignatian Introduction To Prayer: Scriptural Reflections According To The Spiritual Exercises. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

2 This way to converse with God in prayer often called ARRR is taught by The Institute for Priestly Formation out of Omaha Nebraska. For more information see Father Traynor, Scott (2013) The Parish as a School of Prayer and Dwyer, Karen and Lawrence (2011) WRAP Yourself in Scripture (IPF Publications).

22 ~ JESUS GIVES HIS LIFE

Companion

~ 22 ~

JESUS GIVES HIS LIFE ~
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

I prepare my heart for prayer
As I begin, I take a moment to become aware of the Lord present to me,
looking upon me with love, desiring to speak to my heart.

Prayerfully, I read Luke 23:26-49
After prayerfully reading, I ask for a grace I desire in this time of prayer.

Using my reasoning:

• Think about what is happening in the scene; what are the action words?
• Who are the people in the scene? What is the place? What things are described?
• What words catch my attention? What does this mean to me?

Using my imagination:

• Imagining myself in the scene – am I an observer or participant? To whom am I drawn?
• Using all of my senses – what do I see? What do I hear? What do I feel, smell or taste?

Reflect on what God is saying to my heart:

• As I reflect, I use my spiritual senses to acknowledge what is transpiring in my heart – my thoughts, feelings and desires. (Acknowledge means to see, to notice, to become aware of, to name.)  This is important to do, as my thoughts, feelings and desires shape my actions.

• I look for the truth the Lord is communicating to me. I ask Jesus to give me his mind and his thoughts to see with the eyes of his heart what he wants to reveal to me today. How is Jesus calling me to apply this truth to my life?

Guided Reflection
Quoted from “An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer,”
by Father Timothy M Gallagher, O.M.V1 

 

The cross … in Jesus’ life … and in mine. Now I will accompany Jesus in his supreme moment of self-giving. I ask him for the courage to carry my own cross, to be faithful “to the end,” like him.

I join the crowd, pushing through the narrow streets. I see the bustle, the agitation; I hear the clamor, the cries, as we climb toward Golgotha. I see Jesus, scourged, crowned with thorns, condemned, rejected, mocked … carrying the cross, step by step, along the way …

I gaze at him, slowly, with great attentiveness of heart … The image of Jesus carrying his cross penetrates my soul … ”If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23). His way of the cross is mine as well …

Simon assists him … What does this moment mean for Jesus? For Simon? The women weep for him. Even now, Jesus is not absorbed by his own pain, but continues to be alive to the need of others: “Do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves …”

He is crucified. … I watch the painful stripping; I see the nailing of his hands and feet, the raising of the cross, I hear his tormented breathing … I think of the times when I have felt – or now feel – crucified in some way, stripped of what is dear to me, nailed helplessly in situations of pain … when each day brings its burden, its pain … And I know that I am not alone …

“They will look upon him whom they have pierced” (Jn 19:37). I do this now. I look upon the crucified Lord … and he looks at me. We speak …

“Father, forgive them …” His first thought, his first word on the cross. I linger here, I ponder the forgiveness in the heart of Jesus. I ask for this forgiveness, I ask that forgiveness be my first thought as well …

He is mocked … but one heart turns to him in faith: “Jesus, remember me …” I unite my voice, too, with this prayer …” Today you will be with me …”

Darkness falls, the curtain in the Temple is torn, Jesus cries out with a loud voice: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” He gives up his life … faithful to the end. He has given all, now, for me. I thank him … I speak with him of the many “deaths” in my life, the losses, the letting go …

Now, in silence and stillness of heart, I contemplate the one who loved me so much that he gave his life for me …

I ask for this grace in this time of prayer:
Converse with God2

Acknowledge:

• What are the thoughts arising in my heart? I think …
• What are the feelings arising in my heart? I feel …
• What are the desires arising in my heart? I desire …

Relate:

I honestly relate these to God; I talk to him about them, trusting he is present and listening
to me, his beloved child.

Receive:

• I listen to what the Lord wants to say to my heart, knowing his love is gratuitous and unconditional. I receive his love and consolation. I trust he longs to console me, to encourage me, to strengthen me, to heal me, to forgive me …

• I allow him to lead me; perhaps returning to the scripture …

Respond:

• I conclude my prayer time speaking to Jesus, God the Father, and/or the Holy Spirit as I would speak to a friend. I may also invoke the intercession of Mary and the Saints.
(St. Ignatius calls this a colloquy.)

Praise him – give glory to God for who he is; for being all good and loving; for being my Lord and savior …

Thank him – for our time together; for his word to me; for the gifts he has given me today …

Ask him – for his help, grace, strength, wisdom, deeper faith …

• Based on what God is saying to my heart, I resolve to act in the following concrete way to love God and love neighbor (which could be something small). Today I will …

Rest in the Lord: Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10

 

1 Gallagher, T., 2008. An Ignatian Introduction To Prayer: Scriptural Reflections According To The Spiritual Exercises. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

2 This way to converse with God in prayer often called ARRR is taught by The Institute for Priestly Formation out of Omaha Nebraska. For

25 ~ DO YOU LOVE ME?

Companion

~ 25 ~

DO YOU LOVE ME? ~
“They knew it was the Lord.”

I prepare my heart for prayer
As I begin, I take a moment to become aware of the Lord present to me,
looking upon me with love, desiring to speak to my heart.

Prayerfully, I read John 21:1-19
After prayerfully reading, I ask for a grace I desire in this time of prayer.

Using my reasoning:

• Think about what is happening in the scene; what are the action words?
• Who are the people in the scene? What is the place? What things are described?
• What words catch my attention? What does this mean to me?

Using my imagination:

• Imagining myself in the scene – am I an observer or participant? To whom am I drawn?
• Using all of my senses – what do I see? What do I hear? What do I feel, smell or taste?

Reflect on what God is saying to my heart:

• As I reflect, I use my spiritual senses to acknowledge what is transpiring in my heart – my thoughts, feelings and desires. (Acknowledge means to see, to notice, to become aware of, to name.) This is important to do, as my thoughts, feelings and desires shape my actions.

• I look for the truth the Lord is communicating to me. I ask Jesus to give me his mind and his thoughts to see with the eyes of his heart what he wants to reveal to me today. How is Jesus calling me to apply this truth to my life?

 

Guided Reflection
Quoted from “An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer,”
by Father Timothy M Gallagher, O.M.V1 

 

I see the lake, the shore, the boats … All is so familiar to these disciples …

“I am going fishing.” “We will go with you.” So simply … a spirit of harmony, of working together …

Their efforts are in vain … all night …

The day is breaking … In the early morning light, they see a stranger on the shore … They do not recognize him.

“Children, have you any fish?” There is a note of tenderness here … It speaks to their hearts … and mine.

At his bidding they cast the net to the right side … and take in a great quantity of fish … I watch, I sense the beginnings of awareness, the faith that rises in their hearts.

John is the first to understand: “It is the Lord!” This moment of spiritual intuition speaks to my heart. I ask the Lord to open my eyes, to help me to see clearly, to know his presence with me in my work, my efforts, my life …

Peter hastens to the Lord with energy … I sense that nothing will hold him back …

The fire, the meal … their silence. No words are necessary … They know … I live with them this time of silent sharing with the Lord … I too am silent … I too know …

Jesus and Peter … His heart is still bruised by the failure of Holy Thursday evening … I watch as Jesus, with great sensitivity and love, heals Peter’s heart. There is no blaming … only a new opportunity to express the deepest reality in his heart …

“Simon…do you love me?” I hear Jesus say my name, and gently ask me that same question: “Do you love me?” I answer … Like Peter, my heart knows that my human weakness does not stand in the way of my answer …

Again the Lord asks … and again … Again I hear Peter’s answer … Again I answer …

“Feed my lambs … Feed my sheep.” I hear the Lord again entrust to my prayer, to my witness, to my life, the care of those whom he loves, those whom he has committed to my care … And again, I offer myself to the mission …

“When you were young … when you are old …” I allow the Lord to lead in my life …

I ask for this grace in this time of prayer:
Converse with God2

Acknowledge:

• What are the thoughts arising in my heart? I think …
• What are the feelings arising in my heart? I feel …
• What are the desires arising in my heart? I desire …

Relate:

I honestly relate these to God; I talk to him about them, trusting he is present and listening
to me, his beloved child.

Receive:

• I listen to what the Lord wants to say to my heart, knowing his love is gratuitous and unconditional. I receive his love and consolation. I trust he longs to console me, to encourage me, to strengthen me, to heal me, to forgive me …

• I allow him to lead me; perhaps returning to the scripture …

Respond:

• I conclude my prayer time speaking to Jesus, God the Father, and/or the Holy Spirit as I would speak to a friend. I may also invoke the intercession of Mary and the Saints.
(St. Ignatius calls this a colloquy.)

Praise him – give glory to God for who he is; for being all good and loving; for being my Lord and savior …

Thank him – for our time together; for his word to me; for the gifts he has given me today …

Ask him – for his help, grace, strength, wisdom, deeper faith …

• Based on what God is saying to my heart, I resolve to act in the following concrete way to love God and love neighbor (which could be something small). Today I will …

Rest in the Lord: Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10

 

1 Gallagher, T., 2008. An Ignatian Introduction To Prayer: Scriptural Reflections According To The Spiritual Exercises. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

2 This way to converse with God in prayer often called ARRR is taught by The Institute for Priestly Formation out of Omaha Nebraska. For more information see Father Traynor, Scott (2013) The Parish as a School of Prayer and Dwyer, Karen and Lawrence (2011) WRAP Yourself in Scripture (IPF Publications).