Entering the time of prayer:
I begin, on this final day of our retreat, by once again taking a step back from the hustle and bustle of my usual thoughts and my usual day. I take a deep breath and then, bit by bit, breath by breath, let go of all the busyness. This is a time for God; everything else can wait. I close my eyes; I breathe again and open myself more and more to that place of stillness within me. I seek God’s presence that is always there. I feel God’s loving gaze on me. I let it fill me as I open my heart and my mind to this time of prayer.
First thoughts:
Often, we can miss the little things of the day, the little moments of joy, peace or connection; we have become so used to them that we take them for granted, and perhaps fail to notice how they touch on those things we desire most. Over these past weeks we have prayed with two of the greatest Prophets. With them, we have tried to open ourselves more and more to what is going on in the depths of our hearts. With them, we have experienced something of the peace and consolation that flows from God’s unconditional love for each and every one of us.
As we now look towards Christmas day, let us prepare for the coming of the Father’s greatest gift to humanity, the birth of Jesus, Son of God, Prince of Peace, source of our every joy and consolation.
Today’s Bible Texts:
Isaiah 7:15:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel, ‘God is with us’.
Matthew 1:20-21:
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins”.
I read the scripture passages slowly; I read them 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:
The words of the Prophets point forward to an event, to a real person, to the birth of a child:
- I look at Joseph and I reflect on his faith, on his willingness to trust in God.
- I look at Mary. I think of what this news would mean for her in the immediate reality of her life, the rejection she might experience, the struggles she would have as a yet unwed mother. I reflect on her strength, on her willingness to trust in God.
- I look at myself. What has God asked of me during this retreat? What is God asking of me in my life at the moment? I spend a few moments in reflection and ask for the faith and the strength, the wisdom and the willingness to trust in God.
Bringing our time of prayer to an end:
I close this time of prayer by speaking openly and freely to God about what I have experienced. I ask God to help me understand it better. I show my love and gratitude with a small gesture, 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.
