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Home  Quiet Space Misc Reflections Archive A-Z Prayer Service: Come Away...
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Prayer Service: Come Away... |
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Come Away and Rest for Awhile with Christ...
CALL TO WORSHIP AND REFLECTION
The Word of God awaits us here,
The Holy Spirit welcomes us; gather to pray.
From the routines and struggles of our lives, we come.
Amid the stresses and worries of every day, we gather.
Come to be renewed in the Spirit of Christ;
God is waiting to give us a new life of freedom.
In hope we seek God's caring presence;
In faith, we dare to trust in God's steadfast love.
We are resident aliens in a foreign land;
God's realm is the true home we are seeking.
ASSURANCE OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Silent reflection on one's personal need for forgiveness.
Any time is God's acceptable time of forgiveness and healing. Even before we sinned. God provided for us a way of restoration and renewal. We are debtors, called to live by the Spirit as heirs with Christ of all God's promises. Live then, as free people who celebrate God's mercy and reach out to others in Christ's name. Amen
In preparation to listen and reflect on the Word of God.
Sower of good seed, by whose word we are equipped for fruitful living, we long to be good soil in which your truth can take root. May we hear your word and understand it, not just for ourselves, but for the sake of sisters and brothers who need our faithful witness. Amen
READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF MARK 6: 30-34
The apostles then met with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught.
Jesus said: “Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest”. For there was constant coming and going. They didn't even have time to eat. So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went on foot, running and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw the huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke – like sheep with no shepherd. He went right to work teaching them.
Apply the lectio divina method of reflection… in a group or as an individual.
Breaking open your life.
• Why does Jesus tell us: “Let's get out of here and go to a deserted place so that we can rest for a while”?
• Did he feel harassed?
• Did he feel compassion for the apostles who were tired?
• Did he feel a bit mischievous as he tried to slip away?
The Gospels record Jesus as regularly planning his getaways. Mostly they are at night, while others slept. Then he and his Father would have time alone together.
Does my daily schedule include some quiet “getaways”?
Do screaming noises within me mar my quiet moments?
Can I hold my anxious feelings in a larger vessel of hope?
Action:
Take time to contemplate your heart as you go through the day.
Insert solitude breaks into your day and see how it affects your life.
“Come apart and rest a while in my arms. I will feed you. I will console you, I will strengthen you, I will give you rest”.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
In the many silences of the heart, O God, when feeling is beyond saying, your faithful people everywhere upon the earth everywhere wait upon your Spirit.
• In the silence of joy we wait upon you. We give you thanks.
• In the silence of sorrow, when lot is lost, we wait upon you, O God.
You alone are our rock are our refuge.
• In the silence of anger, when justice is postponed, we wait upon you, O God. Teach us the ways of justice and mercy.
We await Christ in all the silences of our hearts and so wait upon God and our salvation.
Amen.
Sr Jenny Slater, OP
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