Sacred Reading

Practiced regularly by early Christians; kept alive by monastic tradition Practiced regularly by early Christians; kept alive by monastic tradition Slow, contemplative praying of the Scriptures Slow, contemplative praying of the Scriptures “Within this rhythm, we discover an increasing ability to offer more of ourselves to the Father and accept the embrace God is continuously extending to us in the person of Jesus Christ.” “Within this rhythm, we discover an increasing ability to offer more of ourselves to the Father and accept the embrace God is continuously extending to us in the person of Jesus Christ.”

Reading/Listening Reading/Listening To hear “with the ear of our hearts” To hear “with the ear of our hearts” Listen to the “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12) Listen to the “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12) In order to hear someone speaking softly, we must be silent In order to hear someone speaking softly, we must be silent Reverential, slow, attentive reading Reverential, slow, attentive reading

Meditation Meditation Ruminating, pondering the Word of God Ruminating, pondering the Word of God Memorize a word or phrase and take in that Word Memorize a word or phrase and take in that Word “What the mind repeats, it retains.” “What the mind repeats, it retains.” Allow God’s Word to become His word for you, a word that touches and affects you at your core Allow God’s Word to become His word for you, a word that touches and affects you at your core

Prayer Prayer Dialogue with God - Loving conversation with the One who has invited us into His embrace Dialogue with God - Loving conversation with the One who has invited us into His embrace Consecration - Priestly offering to God of parts of ourselves that we have not previously believed God wants Consecration - Priestly offering to God of parts of ourselves that we have not previously believed God wants Allow the word/phrase you are pondering to touch and transform Allow the word/phrase you are pondering to touch and transform

Contemplation Contemplation Simply rest in the presence of God Simply rest in the presence of God Words are not necessary Words are not necessary Practice silence, letting go of our own words; simply enjoy the experience Practice silence, letting go of our own words; simply enjoy the experience

Luke 5:17-26

As the passage is read aloud first, consider it anew – however familiar it might be As the passage is read aloud first, consider it anew – however familiar it might be For the second reading, listen for a word or phrase that pops out and seems to have significance in this moment For the second reading, listen for a word or phrase that pops out and seems to have significance in this moment Sit in silence and reflect on that word or phrase Sit in silence and reflect on that word or phrase

Third reading of the passage Third reading of the passage As you meditate, place yourself in the time and place of the passage As you meditate, place yourself in the time and place of the passage What do I see? Hear? Smell? Feel? Taste?

Fourth reading of the passage Fourth reading of the passage Offer up the word or phrase, and all that comes with it, to the Lord Offer up the word or phrase, and all that comes with it, to the Lord

Fifth reading of the passage Fifth reading of the passage Sit silently, let go of words, and rest/revel in God’s presence Sit silently, let go of words, and rest/revel in God’s presence

Ideas for sharing: Ideas for sharing: The word or phrase that caught your attention The word or phrase that caught your attention Sensory perceptions from placing yourself in the passage Sensory perceptions from placing yourself in the passage General thoughts and reflections General thoughts and reflections