Favored by God

Introduction & Welcome (1 min.)

I. Opening Prayer (5 min.)

Grace:  To deepen our sense of being God’s beloved from our very creation as Jesus came to know in his baptism

Use the grace and the suggested scripture above to create your own prayer, or use CLC Opening Prayer.

Note:  Ask for a volunteer to lead opening and closing prayers for the next meeting.

II. Check-In (5 min.)

• • What were some of your high and low points of the week?

III.  Focus Exercise (40 min.)

Materials Needed:  CLC supply box (CLC journal booklets, papers, pens, etc.).   

Introduction

Tonight, we are going to use Ignatian Contemplation to experience God’s calling each of us, “You’re my beloved.”  If helpful, briefly explain Ignatian Contemplation.  It is allowing the Spirit of God to guide our imagination and senses to experience what is going on with the event as if we were there physically.

Preparation

I invite you to find a comfortable position in your chair, with both feet on the ground and palms resting open on your lap. This posture indicates a rootedness on the holy ground below us and receptivity to God’s abundant gifts surrounding us.  I invite you to take a couple of deep breaths, slowly, inhale, and exhale.  With each exhale, allow your body to fall more deeply into your chair allowing any tension to be released with each breath.  Keep breathing and recognize the rising and falling of your body. Notice God’s very life present in the filling of your lungs with life and energizing your body in stillness.  Close your eyes and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your imagination. 

• • I will read the following passage a couple times through.  Listen to the words and take note of any images that emerge. 

• • (The contemplation should be about 10 minutes. Be present to the Spirit moving and do not feel rushed.  Try to not move forward if you sense yourself moving forward from fear of further silence.  Allow your inner sense of the spirit to be the one guiding the contemplation.  Trust your inner voice of truth.)

  • Allow yourself to enter the scene. Tap into your five senses in your presence at the Jordan as you notice your place in the scene.   Notice the crowds around the Jordan River.  What else are you seeing? the people, animals, movement, nature (pause for 1 minute) What are you hearing? perhaps the sounds of the water, the wind, children playing, birds chirping… (pause for 1 minute) What are you touching? … grass, rocks, the hand of another … (pause for 1 minute) What does the air feel like, cold or warm? What are the colors that surround you in nature or within the people’s garments?  (pause for 1 minute) What smells permeate your nose?  Notice all these elements and be present to them. (pause for 1 minute)

  • Now notice who you are in the scene and where your proximity is in relation to all the action.  What influences or factors shape your proximity?  What draws you in or keeps you at a distance? (pause for 2-3 minutes)

  • Now, imagine Jesus seeking you out personally. He chooses to baptize you.  What stirs within you upon this request? What are you feeling? (pause for 2-3 minutes)  As he draws the water and pours it over you, he proclaims “You are my Beloved child, (insert each group member’s name in this space), with whom I am well pleased.” Upon feeling the water rush over you, and the sun beating down upon you, what do you feel?  How are you consoled or challenged?  Pay attention to what stirs within you. (pause for 2-3 minutes)

  • As you spend time with Jesus- what do you say to Him?  What does he say back to you? What kind of dialogue emerges? (pause for 2-3 minutes)

  •  As you continue your time with Him, what do you say or do?  Take notice of how you are uniquely present to one another.  (pause for 3-4 minutes)

  • Now, it is time for you to leave, how do you depart from Jesus, from the others gathered?  What stirs within you upon your departure? (pause for 2-3 minutes)

  • Now, take time speak with God about this experience.  Tell God what is remaining with you and listen.

  • In gratitude, we thank God for this time, and we pray for deepened listening to how we are called to know ourselves as the Beloved.  When you are ready, please open your eyes and become aware of your presence in this room and gathering.

Sharing

Invite members to share their prayer experience

Suggested questions to discuss

• 1. How would you describe your experience of baptism during prayer?  Easy?  Distracted? Challenged?  Surprised?  Consoled?  What was helpful?  Not helpful?

  2. What struck you the most?

  3. How was your conversation with Jesus?  Describe.

  4. What is remaining within you?  What images, words, or themes are present?

  5. As always, if the meditation did not speak to group members, create and allow the space for anything else that is stirring within their hearts at this time to be shared.

Listening Deeper

Suggested questions to deepen awareness of inner movements and further conversation

• • What has struck you as you have been listening to others share?  Do you notice any patterns or commonalities?

  • How have you been feeling throughout the meeting? Comfortable? Anxious? Curious?

  • Is there anything you would like to share after listening to another person share?

IV.  Moving Forward (5 min.)

• Action:

  1. Pray with Awareness Examen:  Focus on Jesus’ voice, “You’re my beloved.”

  2. Share with your prayer partner.

• Announcement:  Topic for next meeting and upcoming CLC events

V.  Closing Prayer (5 min.)

Pray for each other or use the CLC Closing Prayer