October 2021
A
Contemplative Exercise for October 2021
The
following is a possible framework for the Witnessing of the Word. It can be
personalised or altered: its purpose is to serve as an example of how this
Saying might be used primarily in the context of a Prayer Group, but it may be
used by individuals too. It is not intended to be definitive. In the
context of a group: the periods of silence should be appropriate for your group
- probably not less than 5 minutes, or more than 15 minutes.
Saying
for the month: If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples
(John 8.31)
To
begin the exercise, first spend a short while in relaxation and preparing to be
still; you may want to relax your way through your muscles or you may find it
helpful to become aware of the sounds around you and then put them aside as you
offer this time of prayer to God.
Say
this introductory invitation to prayer, and then keep a further minute or two
of silence:
‘Come
to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest’
(Matthew 11.28)
Introduction
to the first silence - a preparation for listening with the mind:
If
you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples.
The
saying for this month from the Gospel of John, comes at a time when passions in
Jerusalem were running high. It was festival time, and many people had gathered
in Jerusalem, their attention focussed on worship in the temple and on catching
up with family, friends and business acquaintances.
The
scribes and Pharisees were on show as they listened to Jesus
addressing the groups of people who followed him to see what he had to say. As
Jesus tries to teach the people he is met with different
reactions, notably scepticism and indignation from the Temple
authority figures especially as Jesus describes himself as; “I am the light of
the world”. Their reaction is to try to trip him up and humiliate him in front
of any who might have wanted to take him seriously. Others show a superficial
curiosity but could also be wanting to see a touch of drama – a little
sensation to remember when they arrived home. Jesus is a diversion to be
recalled but not taken seriously. And then there are some who show a genuine
interest, who are drawn to his person and his ideas. It is to this group that
Jesus directs his comments and his teaching. This group are listening
carefully because they realise that what they are hearing is important and
possibly life changing. They don’t always understand completely but they are
drawn to the person of Jesus and seem hungry to learn more. This group includes
Jesus chosen disciples.
This is the point in the account where we hear this month’s saying: If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8: 31-2).
Those
who followed still struggled to understand the freedom that Jesus promised.
Some on the edge of commitment, still protested that as descendants of Abraham,
they had been slaves to no one...
But
Jesus promise is there for all those who would listen and try to open their
hearts and minds to what he was trying to say, in effect, ‘If you follow my
teaching, you really are my disciples. Then you will know the truth and that
truth will mean freedom – a freedom from the power of sin, and all that
separates you from God.’
So,
in this first silence, we take ourselves back into the crowds following and
listening to Jesus. We hear him speaking, and notice how his words were
received, who welcomes them and who is suspicious. We are invited to notice how
we participate in this scene; how do we receive Jesus’ words suggesting we too
might experience freedom? And what kind of freedom might that be?
We
take this Saying into our minds, allowing the saying to speak to us: If
you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples.
A
time is now kept for silence of the mind – perhaps between 5 and 15
minutes. The silence concludes with a short thanksgiving, and/or
feel free to repeat the Saying.
The
first silence ends with the words: Father,
we thank you for the gift of your Word.
Introduction to the second silence - a preparation for listening with the heart: If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples.
After
watching and listening to Jesus teaching and challenging different groups of
people to really listen to him, we come to the time to really notice our own
feelings and observations.
When
we thought about Jesus speaking to the crowds, were we one of the sceptical
ones, looking for a miracle? Or one of those who were hungry for more from
Jesus, desperate to understand more fully the freedom he was describing? Or
maybe, you were one of the suspicious ones, who were ready to trip him up and
humiliate him….
Hear
again Jesus speaking this time, directly to you: If you continue in my
word, you will truly be my disciples…
What
does it mean to be in this group, expecting to draw closer to Jesus, believing
his words and longing for that freedom that he promises, the freedom of heart
and mind, no longer oppressed by sin and separated from God.
So,
now we take this word into our hearts, as we allow Jesus’ words to speak in us,
to let it touch us and let it work more deeply upon our lives.
A
time is now kept for silence of the heart – perhaps between 5 and 15 minutes.
The
second silence ends with the words: Father,
we thank you that your Word is alive and within us.
Introduction
to the time of intercession – taking God’s word outwards into the world.
If
you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples.
As
we come to our prayers, we bring to mind all who are long for freedom of heart
and mind. Those who are weighed down with suffering of any kind whether that is
sickness, poverty, hunger, as victims of war and all whose lives are being
devastated by Climate Change – those who have suffered from wildfires, drought,
high temperatures, flood and earthquake. And we pray for all who will take part
in the coming conference on Climate Change.
We
pray especially for any who we think may need to hear the word of Jesus spoken
to them personally?
And
we pray for anyone on our heart and mind who needs our prayers today.
Say
the name of a person or a group of people, and after a short pause, repeat the
saying. For example: ‘Alison and your
family ... If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples.
As
we allow the word to speak through us we might direct Jesus’ word towards those
people and situations where there is suffering, hurt and an absence of joy and
where abiding in Christ would bring comfort.
Conclude
this time of intercession with words of thanksgiving:
Father, we thank you that your Word has gone out
through us to those for whom we pray.
The
Conclusion
Feel
free to use the Fellowship Prayer (below) or another closing prayer to conclude
your time of contemplative prayer:
Loving
Heavenly Father, we thank you for all your unsearchable riches which pour forth
from you as light from the sun, in boundless profusion and generosity, whether
received, ignored or rejected. And now we offer to you, in so far as we are
able, as an emptiness to be filled with your divine fullness, ourselves, our
souls and bodies; all that we are, all that we have and all that we do. Amen
You
may wish to say the Grace together before departing.