Entering the time of prayer:
First, I find a quiet corner to begin this time with God. I close my eyes and allow myself to feel God’s loving gaze, to feel God’s delight that we are about to spend this precious time together. I allow myself time to absorb this truth. I let myself be held in the warmth of God’s loving embrace.
I take a deep breath and then, bit by bit, breath by breath, I let go of all the busyness, let go of whatever has been on my mind in the hustle and bustle of my day. This is a time for God; everything else can wait. I breathe again and open myself more and more to that place of stillness within me. I feel God’s loving presence that is always there. I let it fill me as I open my heart and my mind to this time of prayer.
First thoughts:
With the Lord there is unfailing love, with the Lord there is a redemption that overflows. God’s ways are not our ways. God’s love and God’s mercy are beyond anything we can conceive. God’s love is a pure gift, it is not something any of us ‘earn.’ There is more than enough for me, for each of us. I spend a moment reflecting on this divine love for me that is “unfailing,” this divine redemption that “overflows.”
Today’s Bible text: John 11:25-26
Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me will live even if she dies, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
I read the scripture passage slowly, I repeat it again and let the words fill my heart. What is the word or image that touches me most? How does it make me feel?
Some questions for reflection:
This is a different way of talking about death and life than we are used to. Jesus does not pretend that death does not exist, but what he tells us, and shows us, is that death does not have the final word. In Jesus, life overcomes death, light overcomes darkness, hope overcomes our shame or fear:
- Jesus isn’t just speaking to Martha, he is speaking to all of us. I let his words penetrate into the very depths of my heart.
- ‘Whoever believes in me.’ With Jesus there is no ‘in crowd,’ no VIP entry. The invitation to share in the eternal love of God is extended to all of us. How can I say ‘yes’ to that invitation today?
- God is loving relationship, and that love is the source of life. In what ways can I bring something of God’s love into my relationships? With those who are closest, but also with my neighbours and those I meet?
Bringing our time of prayer to an end:
I close this time of prayer by speaking openly and freely to God for a few moments about what I have experienced. I speak just as I would to my closest friend. And I listen also for the ways God might be speaking to me – in the images that stay in my mind, or the feelings I am having. Then, I bring our time together to a close with a small gesture of gratitude and love, perhaps by making a sign of the cross, bowing my head, or by saying an Our Father or Glory Be.
Noticing the fruits of the prayer:
After my prayer I look back for a moment. I ask myself, what was it like? What touched me the most? What was challenging or difficult? What gave me feelings of warmth or peace of strength? I write down some keywords to record and remember, so that the things that are most important are not lost. I hold on to one positive and life-giving word or image in particular and hold it close to my heart as I make my way, with God, through the rest of the day.
