Last Sunday we heard the story of Jesus going into the desert before he started his public ministry. He went there for 40 days to fast and pray. We might wonder, if Jesus is one with the Father, why did he need to pray? But the Bible tells us he did, so HOW did Jesus pray? Quite possibly when Jesus went away by himself to pray, he went to "simply" be one with the Father; to behold God and to be held by God. This Lent, our prayer doesn't have to be filled with words, we can sit in silence and stillness and just be with the one who created us and loves us in the middle of our messy lives. This is called "contemplation" or "contemplative prayer" and it's not just for monks. It's for all of us! Before we dive deeper into this form of prayer, let's head back "INTO THE DESERT" with a song:
Consider spending 8 minutes with Father Mike Schmitz for a quick beginner's course on Contemplative Prayer:
If you are ready for Contemplative Prayer 2.0, Fr. Richard Rohr has spent the past 30 years exploring this form of prayer. He has a lot to say in 9 minutes about why contemplation is particularly important during these times when we feel divided:
So maybe you've watched the videos and thought, "I'm just not sure that contemplation suits my prayer style at this point in my faith journey." That's perfectly OK, and I've got GREAT news for you. THERE ISN'T ANY ONE RIGHT WAY TO PRAY!! Father James Martin has a new book out about prayer and he talks about it with Stephen Colbert here:
I'm actually trying out 3 different types of prayer this Lent. I share this with you not so that you think that I am a great prayer warrior. In fact, I have struggled with prayer my whole life. My mind wanders. I fidget. I rush. I fall asleep. I don't think about the words. I can't find time... You name it, I've struggled with it!
I guess I just want to encourage you not to give up on prayer even if you feel like you aren't "very good" at it. God doesn't care how we pray. God just wants to spend time with us! God's the best kind of friend!
1. Angela Pasek has made a snow labyrinth in her backyard and we walk/pray that by candlelight one evening a week. Jean Thiele has generously set up her prayer labyrinth in the Parish Center for us to use. There is an information video in today's parish wide Flocknote about praying by walking a labyrinth, but if you missed it, you can watch it here:
2. I've never been a great rosary pray-er. I get so focused on the words of the prayers and keeping my fingers moving along the beads to keep count of the Hail Marys that I forget to think about each mystery and the life of Jesus! A few weeks ago, I was introduced to SOUL CORE which is a strengthening and stretching class with background music and movement while the instructor prays the rosary out loud. For the first time, I feel like I have really been able to enter into the flow and mystery!
3. I'm also part of a group of women that is doing a virtual Lenten "retreat" with music and reflections by musician Dan Schutte. There are nineteen pre-recorded 15 minute sessions that we are watching together over the six weeks of Lent and then spending a few moments sharing what spoke to us. It's been wonderful to pray this way with other people.
Perhaps you noticed, but all three of these are communal. No one said that our Lenten journey has to be taken alone! The journey is easier in so many ways when we have companions!
A few final ways to live out this month's Corporal Work of Mercy:
Care for the Sick
1. The Toni and Trish House provides compassionate, dignified end of life care in a peaceful, home-like environment. Blessed Sacrament has many parishioners who donate and volunteer here. To learn how you can help please visit their website:
2. Families of people with terminal illnesses often set up a GoFundMe page for their loved one. Consider making a donation when one pops up in your Facebook feed.
3. Consider sponsoring an "elder" through the organization known as UNBOUND. Their focus is to help people who are living in poverty to have lives of meaning and dignity. With age, we know that health concerns become more and more prevalent. Find out how you can help here: https://www.unbound.org/
A FEW FINAL THOUGHTS... FINALLY!
Stillness is part of contemplative prayer and is actually helpful in all areas of our lives. Last year, Father Rob recommended a book to me called, STILLNESS IS KEY. I wonder if he was trying to tell me something?! If you are looking for an engaging read for Lent, I recommend it as well! Filled with short stories of all kinds of famous people, and laced with inspiration, this book seeks to show that, "stillness is the secret to elite performance, to leadership and creativity. It's the peace that makes room for happiness. It is the key... to everything that matters."
"The child is in me still... and sometimes not so still."
Wishing you little oases of stillness and prayer time in the Lenten desert, Lyn