|
PUTTING
ON
THE
MIND AND HEART OF
JESUS
Each
set of texts within this prayer pattern represents a different facet of
the one mystery of Jesus. These texts from John's last discourses and the
texts associated with them have, as an overall objective, to provide prayer
material whereby a person may grow in greater intimacy with the person
of Jesus. No specific `grace' is suggested to pray for. Depending on where
one is, a person should articulate for oneself what one is seeking and
desiring. For this reason, although the texts are given sequentially, what
ultimately dictates the choice of any material for prayer are one's needs
at the moment.
- I -
FROM SERVANT
TO FRIEND
Jn 13:1-20 Jesus washes his disciples'
feet ... no servant is greater than the master.
Other Texts:
| Eph 5:1-7 |
Follow Christ by loving as he
loved. |
| Phil 2:5-11 |
God emptied
God's self to assume the condition of a slave. |
| Rom 6:15-19 |
You have
been set free from sin... now you are slaves of God. |
| Is 42:1-4 |
Here is
my servant whom I uphold |
| Ps 40 |
Put your
hope in God: I shall praise my Saviour God. |
- II -
FROM MANY
RULES TO ONE - LOVE
Jn 13:33-38 I shall not be with you
much longer I give you a new commandment.
Other Texts:
| 1Jn 3:1-24 |
My children, our love is not
to be just words or mere talk... |
| Lk 10:25-37 |
The great
commandment. |
| Acts 4:23-35 |
The whole
group of believers was united heart and soul. |
| Ps 133 |
Love both
brotherly and sisterly. |
- III -
FROM ANXIETY
TO TRUST
Jn 14:1-7 Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still and trust in me.
Other Texts:
| 1Th 4:1-12 |
We have
been called by God to be holy. |
| Heb 6:1-20 |
God will
not forget your love. |
| Rom 4:18-25 |
Abraham's
faith ... God's fidelity. |
| Lk 12:22-31 |
Trust
in Abba. |
| Ps 91 |
Trust
in God. |
| Ps 131 |
In
the arms of God our Mother. |
- IV -
FROM KNOWING
JESUS TO KNOWING GOD
Jn 14:8-13 To have seen me is to have
seen Abba
Other Texts:
| Ex 33:7-11 |
The Holy One would speak to
Moses face to face as one speaks with a friend. |
| Jn 1:16-18 |
Indeed,
from God's fullness we have all received - yes, grace in return for grace... |
| Jn 6:46-51 |
The Son
only has seen Abba. |
| Col 1:15-20 |
He
is the image of the unseen God. |
| 2 Cor
4:1-6 |
It
is the same God who has shone in our minds to radiate the glory on the
face of Christ |
| Ps 147 |
Hymn to
the Almighty |
- V -
FROM DRIFTING
TO SEARCHING
Jn 14:14-21 Whatever you ask for in my
name I will do it... If you love me you will keep my commandments.
Other Texts:
| Mt 7:7-11 |
Ask, and it will be given to
you. |
| Lk 11:1-13 |
Search
and you will find. |
| Acts 3:16-26 |
It is
through faith in Jesus that the miracles of the early church were accomplished
and stood out. |
| Deut 6:4-9 |
Listen
Israel, you shall love the Holy One your God with all your heart. |
| 1Jn 2:3-6 |
We can
be sure that we are in God, when we live the same life Jesus lived... |
| Ps 16 |
O God,
my heritage. |
- VI -
FROM TALKING
ABOUT THE SPIRIT'S
LEADING TO FOLLOWING
IT
Jn 14:23-29 Those who do not love me,
do not keep my words.... The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will teach you
everything
Other Texts:
| Deut 7:12-15 |
Listen to these ordinances,
be true to them. |
| Eph 3:14-21 |
Out
of the infinite glory, may God, through the Spirit,give you the grace for
your hidden self to grow strong so that Christ may live in your hearts. |
| Jn 3:9-16 |
We speak
only about what we know and witness, only to what we have seen. |
| Eph 2:11-18 |
Through
Jesus we have in the one Spirit our way to come to our loving God. |
| Ps 103 |
God is
Love. |
- VII -
FROM GOD AS
SPECTATOR TO GOD AS LABOURER
Jn 15:1-6 I am the true vine.
Other Texts:
| Is 5:1-7 |
Let me sing to my friend the
song of one's love for one's own vineyard. |
| Phil 1:3-11 |
This will
help you to become pure and blameless, and prepare for the day of Christ
Jesus. |
| Deut 8:11-20 |
Remember
the Holy One your God.... |
| Hos 10:1-8 |
Israel
was a luxuriant vine.... and the more it grew, the more divided became
its heart. |
| Mt 20:1-16 |
Parable
of the vineyard labourers. |
| 1Cor 12:12-30 |
The human
body, though made up of many parts, is a single unit. |
| Ps 116 |
A hymn
of thanksgiving. |
- VIII -
FROM MY WILL TO GOD'S WILL
Jn 15:9-17 This is my commandment:
Love one another as I have loved you.... you are my friends if you do what
I command you.
Other Texts:
| Jn 4:32-34 |
My food is to do the will of
the one who sent me and to complete God's work. |
| Jn 6:35-40 |
I have
come from heaven not to do my own will, but to do the will of the one who
sent me. |
| Jn 8:27-30 |
What Abba
has taught me is what I preach. |
| Rom 5:5-8 |
The love
of God has been poured into our hearts. |
| Gal 2:15-21 |
I have
been crucified with Christ Jesus. |
| Ps 19 |
The precepts
of the Holy One are upright ... |
- IX -
FROM COMFORTABLE
DISCIPLESHIP
TO COSTLY DISCIPLESHIP
Jn 15:18-27 If they persecuted me, they
will persecute you
Other Texts:
| Mt 10:11-24 |
You will be dragged before rulers,
kings and queens for my sake. |
| Acts 7:1-60 |
Stephen's
speech, his trial, his prayer of forgiveness, his stoning. |
| Jn 8:21-30 |
When you
have lifted me up, then you will know who I am. |
| Jn 1:1-14 |
Jesus
came to his own people and they did not accept him. |
| 1Cor 4:6-13 |
Here we
are, fools for the sake of Christ... |
| 2Cor 4:7-18 |
We
see no answer to our problems, but never despairing; we have been persecuted,
but never deserted. |
| Is 50:4-11 |
I made
no resistance, neither did I turn away, I offered my back to those who
struck me. |
| Ps 37 |
Unprovoked they spread their net for me,
they dug a pit for me. |
- X -
FROM FEARFUL
CONFUSION AND UNKNOWING
TO TRUSTING THE
SPIRIT'S GUIDANCE
Jn 16:5-15.... when the Spirit of truth
comes you will be brought to thecomplete truth .... the Spirit will glorify
me.
Other texts:
| Jn 1:29-34 |
I saw the Spirit coming down
from heaven like a dove and resting on him. |
| Jn 8:21-24 |
If you
do not believe that I am the Holy One, you will die in your sins. |
| 1Tim 3:14-16 |
God was
made visible in the flesh, attested by the Spirit. |
| Jn 12:20-36 |
While
you still have the light, believe in the light, and you will become children
of the light. |
| Acts 2:1-13 |
They were
all filled with the Holy Spirit. |
| Acts 2:14-36 |
In those
days, I will pour out my spirit .... what you see and hear is the outpouring
of that Spirit. |
| Ez 36:16-38 |
I shall put a new spirit in you ....
I shall put my spirit in you ... you shall be my people and I will be your
God. |
| Rom 8:1-30 |
In fact, unless you possessed the Spirit
of Christ, you would not belong to him. |
| 1Cor 2:1-16 |
For the Spirit reaches the depths of everything. |
| Ps 89 |
Hymn and prayer celebrating God's faithfulness. |
- XI -
FROM EMBRACING THE CROSS
TO EXPERIENCING THE POWER OF THE RISEN
JESUS
Jn 16:16-33 I tell you most solemnly,
you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will
be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.
Other Texts:
| Jn 1:35-51 |
I tell you most solemnly, you
will see heaven laid open, and the angels of God ascending and descending
upon the one sent by God. |
| Heb 11:1-40 |
The witnesses
of faith: in virtue of the Holy One's promises, the coming of the Son...
and eventually the sending of the Spirit. |
| Heb 9:11-28 |
The covenant
reaffirmed through the suffering and death of Jesus - a perfect sacrifice
to God through the eternal Spirit |
| 2Cor 1:3-11 |
When we
are made to suffer, it is for your consolation and salvation. |
| 2Cor 5:11-6:10 |
We are
looked upon as most miserable, and yet we are always rejoicing. |
| 2Cor 12:1-10 |
So I shall
be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power
of Christ may stay over me... |
| Ps 145 |
Hymn in praise of our God |
DlSClPLESHlP
IN
THE
WRITINGS
OF ST. LUKE 1
First Stage - Lk ch 4 vs 31 through ch 9 vs 21
The disciples, fascinated by Jesus'
prestige, the authority of his word, and the trust he places in them, follow
him without hesitation, become his living companions, and at the end of
this stage, through Peter, proclaim he is the Christ of God.
Second
Stage - Lk ch 9 vs 22 through ch 22 vs 46
When Jesus begins to talk about the
passion, and begins to make known the conditions of discipleship, the disciples,
while continuing to follow, show an ever growing incomprehension of the
mystery of salvation he brings.
Third
Stage - Lk ch 22 vs 47 through ch 23 vs 56
During the passion, the disciples stay
away from Jesus, and mix with the crowd, which becomes hostile to him.
They are deeply deceived, and their hope in Jesus begins to vanish.
Fourth
Stage - Lk ch 24 through Acts ch 1 vs 11
For forty days the Risen Jesus sets
about to complete the formation of the disciples. But they show themselves
to be incredulous, hesitant, and they cannot understand why Jesus had to
go through the passion to enter into glory.
Fifth
Stage - Acts ch 1 vs 12 through ch 9 vs 43
The disciples begin to pray. They are
invaded by the power of the Spirit, and they begin to witness to Christ.
From that moment, they accept to suffer persecution as authentic witnesses
of the master. Their commitment is complete and definitive.
Sixth
Stage - Acts ch 10 vs l though ch 11 vs 18
The beginning of the evangelization
of the gentile world. God's Spirit calls Peter to total detachment from
his religious Judaism ... so that the message of salvation be accepted
by the entire world.
ECOLOGY
- A SPIRITUALITY OF RECONCILIATION2
A SCRIPTURE
PRAYER PATTERN
"If we could but see the earth as it is ...
the harmonious interdependence of all creatures throughout time ... we
would tremble in awe and adoration, and we would weep for our arrogance
in the destruction of her beauty and resources...."
| Gen 1:1-26 |
Creation story ... we
are a part of the creation |
| Job 38:1-40:5 |
Where were you when I created the universe ... out of whose womb came the
marvels of dawn ... Job answered I shall cover my mouth and speak no more |
| Ps 8 |
How
wonderful your name throughout the earth! |
| Jn 1:1-5 |
In
the beginning was the word in whom all things were made... |
The
world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It
will flame out like shining from shook foil,
It
gathers to a greatness like the ooze of oil Crushed.
Why
do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations
have trod, have trod, have trod;
And
all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And
wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is
bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.
And
for all this nature is almost spent;
Soon
dead the dearest freshness deep down things;
And
as
the last lights off the black West went
Still
morning, at the brown brink eastward springs---
Because
the Holy Ghost over the bent World
broods
with pained breast and with ohhh! pale wings.
( -- if Gerard Manley
Hopkins were alive today would he not write the final stanza differently
and probably keep the gender the way it is?)
"Ecology is the spirituality of reconciliation
of the human species with the earth - our source of life and nourishment.
It is a reunion. A coming home...."
| Rom 8:19-23 |
All of creation groans desiring
to share in the freedom of redemption |
| Rev 21:1-5 |
I
saw a new heaven and a new earth ... wipe away every tear ... I will make
all things new |
| Is 2:2-4 |
God
shall judge between the nations ... we shall beat our swords and spears
into ploughshares and pruning hooks |
| Is 65:17-25 |
I
am about to create a new earth ... no more shall there be an infant that
lives only a few days |
"The greatest threat today is environmental
insecurity. It overlaps all national boundaries, affects our shared ecosystems.
At last there are no military solutions. National sovereignty and national
security are obsolete! A new hope is born! Ecological systems will not
change; our thought systems and policies, our governments and institutions
can and must change...."
| Gen
11:1-9 |
Story of the tower of Babel,a
good metaphor showing human differences of culture and language and how
evil and greed can prevent us from listening to each other |
| Ps 33 |
God's
creation ... from heaven God watches everything ... useless is the horse
for safety |
| Is 55:6-13 |
Seek God
while God is still near and there is yet time ... let the scoundrel forsake
selfish ways ... in the place of the thorn bush the cypress will grow |
| Sir 42:15-43:3 |
Work of
God in nature ... God is all in all ... who alone knows creation's secrets |
Jesus dreamt
Of a world
Of one
Global family
Each person
Relationship
Friendship
And blood family
Being a gift
From his Abba
Attempting to
Overcome the
Barriers of
Race, colour,
Sex and creed.
Locally we
Come together
With our individualities
Our languages
And cultures
Separate and distinct....
But there are
The obstacles
Of not knowing
Each other
And therefore
Experiencing a degree
Of unsureness
And fear.
We pass different ones
Sometimes as shadows ...
Each of us
So tends to
Be centred on self
And yet how
We hunger for
Change, conversion
Of our hearts
And minds.
...adapted from a poem
by T. McKillop
"No generation has been asked to do what
we must do: Change our whole way of seeing, thinking, valuing, behaving!
To place the well-being of nature as the first priority of our society,
to re-order our personal, familial, national, international patterns -
our economics, waste disposal, our addictions to consumption... To measure
the quality of human life in terms other than wealth. Previous changes
in human thinking of this magnitude (e.g.,as the abolition of human sacrifice)
have taken long periods of time. Our change must be swift if we are to
survive. And there are no road maps..."
| Is 66:1-4 |
True worship and the consequences
of false worship (consequences of our not heeding God's call through the
needs of planet earth and the people it sustains) |
| Matt 4:1-11 |
Temptations
of Jesus in the desert ... we do not live by bread alone ... we can not
measure human life only in terms of food, impressing others and power |
| 1Cor 2:7-16 |
We need
the wisdom of God ... the Spirit teaches us a new mode of perception ..
we must become spiritual persons and not just `natural' persons |
we
are ...
we are
the refugees ...
who move by night
and hide by day
outcasts.
fleeing
by moonlight 
hiding
in shadows
evading
enemy eyes
escaping
anonymous gunfire
frantic bleeding frightened torn.
snagged
in barbed wire
accosted
by footsteps
bitten
by humankind
assailed
by brothers
mocked
by sisters
tormented weeping trembling lost.
we are
the refugees ...
who move by night ...
and hide by day ...
--- by
Ruth McLean
"Each person carries within images/thoughts
that have power to bring about new life even more beautiful than before...".
| Mi 4:1-3 |
God will judge between nations
and we shall beat our spears and swords into ploughshares and pruning hooks |
| Eph 3:16-21 |
Prayer
for readers. May God grant you the power of the Spirit to perceive the
vastness of God's love in everything |
"God's power is the power of compassion.
Human compassion releases the power in the world -- the only power that
can bring about our conversion and the healing of the earth."
| Is 58:2-14 |
True fasting and worship must
include freeing the oppressed and exercising compassion |
| Matt 25:31-46 |
Image
of judgement of nations - separation of sheep and goats - when you gave
a cup of water to the little ones you did it to me |
| 2Cor 1:3-6 |
God of
consolation gives us consolation in our suffering so that we can console
others |
"We can rely on a power at work in nature
and the human heart, a power, a truth that will heal and unite us. We will
join the dance of the universe, find our common ground here in our garden
home - the earth...."
| Gen 1:26
-31 |
God creates humankind in God's
own image and gives humankind responsibility for creation and everything
in it |
| Is 65:17-25 |
I am about
to create a new earth ... no more shall there be an infant that lives only
a few days |
| Is 66:5-13 |
God will
gather together the nations as a mother |
"There is a power for good in the world ...
An energy at work in the deepest forces of nature and the human heart.
... To believe in God ... to believe in the resurrection is to believe
that this power for good is stronger than the power for evil - and will
prevail! Our faith will release this power..."
| Heb 1:1-12 |
In Christ all things hold together
... God is head of all creation ... earth will grow old like God's garment |
| Col 1:13-20 |
All things
hold together in Christ Jesus...God delivers us from the power of darkness
to the realm of God's son in whom all things hold together |
A
Prayer from Anselm of Canterbury
O my God teach my heart where and how
to seek you,
where and how to find you...
You are my God and you are my All and I
have never seen you.
You have made me and remade me,
You have bestowed on me all the good things
I possess,
Still I do not know you...
I have not yet done that for which I was
made....
Teach me to seek you...
I cannot seek you unless you teach me
or find you unless you show yourself to
me.
Let me seek you in my desire, let me desire
you in my seeking.
Let me find you by loving you, let me love
you when I find you.
Prayer
to the Holy Spirit
O Holy Spirit, give me stillness of
soul in you.
Calm the turmoil within, with the gentleness
of your peace.
Quiet the anxiety within, with a deep trust
in you.
Heal the wounds of sin within, with the
joy of your forgiveness.
Strengthen the faith within, with the awareness
of your presence.
Confirm the hope within, with the knowledge
of your strength.
Give fullness to the love within, with an
outpouring of your love.
O Holy Spirit, be to me a source of light,
strength and courage
so that I may hear your call ever more clearly
and follow you more generously.
from
William Browning, C.P
I
Asked God For Strength
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly
to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater
things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better
things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the
praise of others.
I was given weakness, that I might feel
the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy
life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all
things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but
everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers
were answered.
I am among all, most richly blessed.
- by
Henry Viscardi
1. This section on
discipleship can be used in several ways: a) for an experience of quiet
prayer where a person uses the text for lectio divina in between the prayer
periods; b) for study; c) for group work with various groups taking different
sections; c) for understanding the various shifts in one's own lifelong
conversion experiencess. Back to document
2. This title and
each of the quotations that form the themes of this prayer pattern come
from the very beautiful calendar, "Wounded Earth, Wonder Earth" by Mary
Southard (c) 1989, used with permission. Send inquiries to: Calendar -
Sisters of St. Joseph, 1515 Ogden Ave., La Grange Park, Il., 60525-1798.
Ph (708) 354 9573.Back to document
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