Henri Nouwen
How often have I lived through these weeks without paying much attention to penance, fasting, and prayer? How often have I missed the spiritual fruits of the season without even being aware of it? But how can I ever really celebrate Easter without observing Lent? How can I rejoice fully in your Resurrection when I have avoided participating in your death? Yes, Lord, I have to die—with you, through you, and in you—and thus become ready to recognize you when you appear to me in your Resurrection. There is so much in me that needs to die: false attachments, greed and anger, impatience and stinginess.... I see clearly now how little I have died with you, really gone your way and been faithful to it. O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen.
Lent starts this Wed or you may start on Sunday. Lent is a 40-day journey with Christ. The point is that we enter into Christ’s experience of self-denial leading up to the ultimate sacrifice, His life. Begin this week by seeking opportunities to commune with Jesus more often. One way for us to deepen our understanding of how Jesus denied Himself and embraced suffering and death for you, try practicing some sort of fast. Think of something that you may fast from and replace that with spending time with Jesus.
Try fasting from:
• Morning coffee
• Daily sodas
• Evening TV
• Media
• Sports
• The computer
• Stereo in your car
• A meal
As you take away these things replace them with God. When it’s difficult share your feeling with Jesus in prayer and journaling. What is Jesus saying to you during this time?
Take the next few days or week in prayer to discern what you may fast from. The point is not what you will no longer have but the feasting with Jesus you now have time for.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Jesus Prayer - "The Prayer of the Heart"
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray without ceasing”
The Jesus Prayer is what some might call a mantra. This prayer pulls us away from intellectualizing our problems and viewing God as one of those problems to be solved. You spend time saying this prayer in a rhythm and say ti when you remember: While driving, waiting in a line. After you do this for a week or longer you find that it begins to recite itself in your heart. It's a discipline that begins to train your heart so that you can begin to pray without ceasing. It's a way to practice being in the presence of God always. There are some great short resources that can be found at the bottom of this post.
How?
Recite this slowly and over and over for a set time and when ever you have free time.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
Why?
• Biblical origins: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me" (Luke 18:38); the ten lepers who "called to him, Jesus, Master, take pity on us' " (Luke 17:13); and the cry for mercy of the publican, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner" (Luke 18:14).
Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks Matthew 15:18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' Matthew 23:25 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:26: Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
The Prayer of the heart is a prayer that does not allow us to limit our relationship with God to interesting words or pious emotions. By its very nature such prayer transforms our whole being into Christ precisely because it opens the eyes of our soul to the truth of ourselves as well as to the truth of God.
The Way of the Heart, Henri Nouwen
What? (What are the fruits of the prayer)
"When I prayed in my heart, everything around me seemed delightful and marvelous. The trees, the grass, the birds, the air, the light seemed to be telling me that they existed for man's sake, that they witnessed to the love of God for man, that all things prayed to God and sang his praise."
"Again I started off on my wanderings. But now I did not walk along as before, filled with care. The invocation of the Name of Jesus gladdened my way. Everybody was kind to me. If anyone harms me I have only to think, 'How sweet is the Prayer of Jesus!' and the injury and the anger alike pass away and I forget it all."
- The Way of the Pilgrim, Unknown Russian Peasant
Bibliography and Suggested Reading
The Way of the Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Continues His Way translated by Helen Bacovcin
The Way of the Heart by Henri J. Nouwen
Practicing His Presence or The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
“Pray without ceasing”
The Jesus Prayer is what some might call a mantra. This prayer pulls us away from intellectualizing our problems and viewing God as one of those problems to be solved. You spend time saying this prayer in a rhythm and say ti when you remember: While driving, waiting in a line. After you do this for a week or longer you find that it begins to recite itself in your heart. It's a discipline that begins to train your heart so that you can begin to pray without ceasing. It's a way to practice being in the presence of God always. There are some great short resources that can be found at the bottom of this post.
How?
Recite this slowly and over and over for a set time and when ever you have free time.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
Why?
• Biblical origins: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me" (Luke 18:38); the ten lepers who "called to him, Jesus, Master, take pity on us' " (Luke 17:13); and the cry for mercy of the publican, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner" (Luke 18:14).
Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks Matthew 15:18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' Matthew 23:25 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:26: Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
The Prayer of the heart is a prayer that does not allow us to limit our relationship with God to interesting words or pious emotions. By its very nature such prayer transforms our whole being into Christ precisely because it opens the eyes of our soul to the truth of ourselves as well as to the truth of God.
The Way of the Heart, Henri Nouwen
What? (What are the fruits of the prayer)
"When I prayed in my heart, everything around me seemed delightful and marvelous. The trees, the grass, the birds, the air, the light seemed to be telling me that they existed for man's sake, that they witnessed to the love of God for man, that all things prayed to God and sang his praise."
"Again I started off on my wanderings. But now I did not walk along as before, filled with care. The invocation of the Name of Jesus gladdened my way. Everybody was kind to me. If anyone harms me I have only to think, 'How sweet is the Prayer of Jesus!' and the injury and the anger alike pass away and I forget it all."
- The Way of the Pilgrim, Unknown Russian Peasant
Bibliography and Suggested Reading
The Way of the Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Continues His Way translated by Helen Bacovcin
The Way of the Heart by Henri J. Nouwen
Practicing His Presence or The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Ignation Scripture Meditation
WHY MEDITATE ON SCRIPTURE?
Meditation helps us to become “careful to do everything written in the Word” (Joshua 1:8).
It is mentioned more than 15 times in the Psalms.
It’s a spiritual discipline, which is: practicing how to become attentive to that small voice and willing to respond when we hear it.
Psalm 48:9
Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
Psalm 145:5
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
Psalm 119:9-16 (The Message)
How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I'll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you've done it.
I relish everything you've told me of life,
I won't forget a word of it
How is meditation on Scripture different from study of Scripture?
IN THE “STUDY METHOD YOU…
• Dissect the text
• Ask questions about the text
• Read and compare facts
and new ways of applying the facts
IN MEDITATION METHOD, YOU…
• Hear the text and enter into it
• Let the text ask questions of you
• Read to let God speak to you
HOW DO WE DO THIS
• Pick a small passage from the scriptures. Jesus' parables work best for this method. (You can use the parable of The Lost Sheep at the end.)
• Be a “fly on the wall”: If you had been present, what sights, sounds, tastes, smells and textures would you have experienced?
• Let God put you in the passage, perhaps becoming the person Jesus is speaking to. Let Jesus look you in the eyes, sitting face to face, and speak to you. What do sense as Jesus speaks to you? What facial expressions do you notice?
• Use your imagination, but still be WORD-centered
• Approach Scripture in non-controlling manner: Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
– James 1:21
Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:1-7)
***Taken from Jan Johnson’s Seminar
Meditation helps us to become “careful to do everything written in the Word” (Joshua 1:8).
It is mentioned more than 15 times in the Psalms.
It’s a spiritual discipline, which is: practicing how to become attentive to that small voice and willing to respond when we hear it.
Psalm 48:9
Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
Psalm 145:5
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
Psalm 119:9-16 (The Message)
How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I'll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you've done it.
I relish everything you've told me of life,
I won't forget a word of it
How is meditation on Scripture different from study of Scripture?
IN THE “STUDY METHOD YOU…
• Dissect the text
• Ask questions about the text
• Read and compare facts
and new ways of applying the facts
IN MEDITATION METHOD, YOU…
• Hear the text and enter into it
• Let the text ask questions of you
• Read to let God speak to you
HOW DO WE DO THIS
• Pick a small passage from the scriptures. Jesus' parables work best for this method. (You can use the parable of The Lost Sheep at the end.)
• Be a “fly on the wall”: If you had been present, what sights, sounds, tastes, smells and textures would you have experienced?
• Let God put you in the passage, perhaps becoming the person Jesus is speaking to. Let Jesus look you in the eyes, sitting face to face, and speak to you. What do sense as Jesus speaks to you? What facial expressions do you notice?
• Use your imagination, but still be WORD-centered
• Approach Scripture in non-controlling manner: Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
– James 1:21
Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:1-7)
***Taken from Jan Johnson’s Seminar
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