1. Prayer & the Paschal Mystery
Section 5
Prayer & the Paschal Mystery

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

3. 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

4. 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 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, Liturgy of the Hours, feasts, devotions, prayer & study groups
Article 41: Why We Pray

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

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

7. 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
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; channel 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
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

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

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

10. 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 ( )—prayer of heart (not observance) is light of the soul that we desperately need (then 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; not just ordained & religious
Article 43: The Expressions of Prayer

11. Article 44: Overcoming Obstacles to Prayer
Simple but not easy but 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
Merely psychological
Requires expertise
Paul’s admonition to “pray without ceasing”—can’t so won’t (prayer & action)
Difficulties
Distractions (attachments & preferences)
Dryness (perseverance perfects faith & conversion perfects apathy)—John of the Cross ( ); spiritual master, Carmelite reformer, friend of Teresa of Avila
Discouragement—most effective seed
but faith more effective
Article 44: Overcoming Obstacles to Prayer

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

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

14. 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
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 you are ready, end the meditation with some vocal prayer
TRY IT! (chart in A. 45)
Article 45: Ignatian Gospel Meditation

15. 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

16. 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 Monday
Study for the Section 5, Part 1 quiz Monday
(AA )
Homework