Prayer & the Paschal Mystery Section 5 Prayer & the Paschal Mystery

The Fundamentals of Prayer Section 5, Part 1 The Fundamentals of Prayer

Natural unity in Christian faith between theoretical & practical Sections 1-3 were an overview of God’s plan of salvation (Paschal Mystery) from Creation to the Parousia (broad) with an emphasis on the Passion, Death, Resurrection, & Ascension of Jesus Christ (narrow) Section 4 was about how we can unite our lives to the Paschal Mystery (discipleship) thus fulfilling our priestly, prophetic, & kingly calling from Baptism Section 5 is about another aspect of discipleship—prayer Salvation History is best thought of as an unfolding of a relationship of prayer Five Articles (A. 41) – Why We Pray (A. 42) – The Forms of Prayer (A. 43) – The Expressions of Prayer (A. 44) – Overcoming Obstacles to Prayer (A. 45) – Ignatian Gospel Meditation Introduction

Article 41: Why We Pray How do natural friendships develop? Prayer is the same way to build divine friendships Prayer, like speaking, is 1st learned thru imitation—family Memorized & other’s words; eventually our own It is more than speaking—listening It is more than saying prayers—being prayerful = constant possibility Definition of prayer from St. John Damascene The raising up one one’s mind & heart to God in a loving communication Intellect & affections can be shaped quickly but usually gradually Prayer requires patience over time & selflessness Fruit is healing & strengthening of relationships—human & divine More we are ourselves in prayer the more successful we will be—open fully All are called because we are created by God with a religious spirit—desire Central to self & divine revelation Church offers guarantee (Mt. 18) & many opportunities—need private too Mass, Sacraments, Lit. of Hours, feasts, devotions, prayer & study groups Article 41: Why We Pray

You Tube Videos: Prayer James Martin, SJ: Prayer How Catholics Pray You Tube Videos: Prayer

Homework Read A. 42 in the e-Book for discussion tomorrow Section 5, Part 1 review questions # 1 Homework

Article 42: The Forms of Prayer Unlike human relationships where we only share parts of ourselves with different people at different times, we are called to share all of ourselves at all times with God Thus, the Holy Spirit in the Tradition of the Church has given rise to various prayer forms to assist & enable us in that journey; song always elevates Blessing & Adoration —given a gift by God; respond with joy & gratitude; leads to acknowledging God’s greatness/our littleness (tends to be non-vocal) Petition or Supplication —asking God for something for ourselves; most natural & spontaneous but lowest; forgiveness must be 1st; perseverance & confidence are keys Intercession —like petition but for another; higher form; one praying is blessed too; friends/close easy but enemies/forgotten also Thanksgiving —gratitude for the gifts of God; Eucharist is central; easy when good but what about when bad things happen (tends to be more vocal) Praise —culmination of other 4 forms; loving God for who HE is not what he does Doxology —praise directed to the Trinity Article 42: The Forms of Prayer

You Tube Videos: Prayer Forms Bp. Barron: The Lord's Prayer The 5 Forms of Prayer You Tube Videos: Prayer Forms

Homework Read AA. 43-44 in the e-Book for discussion tomorrow Section 5, Part 1 review question # 2 Homework

Article 43: The Expressions of Prayer Prayer is/should always be Trinitarian —to Father, through Son, in Holy Spirit Tradition also reveals sources of prayer: SS, liturgy, faith, hope, charity, … Finally Tradition gives the major expressions of prayer—analogy of a growing relationship between a man & a woman towards marriage St. John Chrysostom (347-407)—prayer of heart (not observance) is light of the soul that we desperately need (later desire) like a baby its mothers milk Vocal Prayer —spoken or silent; memorized or spontaneous; 1st & most basic Meditation —Gk. care, study, exercise; actively using thoughts, imagination, emotions, & desires to ponder God’s presence in our life & the world through the use of a source; experiences, SS, readings, writings, devotions, icons, creation, …; lectio divina; Eastern ?; method; practice; higher/later Contemplation —confusing like meditation; passively drawn into the presence of God through love; deeply aware of oneness with God; regular meditation is best path; mysticism—regular contemplative prayer Everyone is called to each level but don’t get past vocal Article 43: The Expressions of Prayer

Article 44: Overcoming Obstacles to Prayer Simple but not easy; essential to holiness; hardest part is starting You are not alone—great saints struggled to start & persevere too Most people pray (petition); goal is to be more consistent to grow deeper Opportunity to be distinct & set apart for God; more than just goodness Yes spontaneous & constant but more successful people have set times Misconceptions--PEPa Merely psychological—waste of time Requires expertise—won’t be good at it Paul’s admonition to “pray without ceasing”—can’t so won’t (prayer & action) Difficulties—the 3 D’s Distractions (attachments & preferences) Dryness (perseverance perfects faith & conversion perfects apathy)—John of the Cross (1542-1591); spiritual master, Carmelite reformer, friend of Teresa of Avila Discouragement—most effective seed but faith more effective Article 44: Overcoming Obstacles to Prayer

You Tube Videos: Prayer: Expressions & Obstacles The 3 Expressions of Prayer Dryness in Prayer Distractions in Prayer You Tube Videos: Prayer: Expressions & Obstacles

Homework Read A. 45 in the e-Book for discussion tomorrow Section 5, Part 1 review questions # 3-6 Homework

Article 45: Ignatian Gospel Meditation Tradition also gifts us with many spiritualities (schools of XTN prayer & action) Ignatian spirituality—St. Ignatius of Loyola—Jesuits (as 1 example of many) Discovered the power of imagination while reading & recovering Developed the Spiritual Exercises to assist with prayer & discernment Not just psychological activity because the Scriptures are the living Word of God Method Comfortable position & quiet place Select Gospel passage (other biblical or non-biblical writings will work too) Begin with some vocal prayer (B & A, P, or I) Read through once (or more) focusing on characters & details When you have absorbed the passage close it & imagine yourself in it Be attentive to how God speaks to you while you are in the passage Be open to God drawing you into contemplation If he doesn’t, stay in the meditation as long as you want or you feel God wants When ready, end the meditation with some vocal prayer (T or P) TRY IT! (chart in A. 45) Article 45: Ignatian Gospel Meditation

You Tube Videos: Ignatian Prayer St. Ignatius & His Spiritual Exercises Bp. Barron: The Spirituality of Advent Bp. Barron & Scott Hahn: vs. Modern Gnostic Spirituality You Tube Videos: Ignatian Prayer

Homework Section 5, Part 1 review question # 7 Make sure the Section 5, Part 1 review questions #’s 1-7 are ready to turn in Friday, December 9 Study for the Section 5, Part 1 quiz Monday, December 12 (AA. 41-45) Homework