Being Real about Loneliness

Scripture

They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour?" (Mk 14:32-37)

Matt 11:28-31 “Come to me all you who are weary.”

Note: This meeting is adapted from https://clc-usa.com/caminos/

Introduction & Welcome (1 min.)

I. Opening Prayer (5 min.)

Grace: To articulate our own experience of loneliness and join it to Christ’s.

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

II. Check-In (5 min.)

- When have you felt connected with others this week?

III. Focus Exercise (40 min.)

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

Introduction

You might begin with a song (e.g., I’m with You by Avril Lavigne) to set a tone for the meeting. Or begin asking members, “Have you ever felt extremely lonely even in a room or at a school crowded with many people?”

Loneliness can often isolate us from community or keep us from being our fullest selves. It can also be very painful to be lonely. Sometimes we try to fill that pain with other things like alcohol, money, shopping, sex, food in order to numb that pain. The following Scripture serves as an entry point in which to connect our own loneliness with that of Christ’s.

Jesus’ Loneliness

As I read the following passage, imagine how Jesus is feeling in his experience and how he is feeling in relations with others. We pray to feel with Christ’s very heart as we open ourselves to the spirit of the scripture.

Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be dispersed.’ But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though all should have their faith shaken, mine will not be.” Then Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.”

But he vehemently replied, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all spoke similarly. Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed.

Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch.”

He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.”

When he returned, he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him. He returned a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand.

Mark 14: 26-42

Pray

After reading the scripture, allow for about 10 minutes of silence with meditative music playing and invite members to pray with Gethsemane Night (note: the questions below can be found on page 21 in their CLC Journal booklets)

- What do you imagine Christ was experiencing in his time in the garden?
- Has there been a time in recent years or months that you have felt particularly lonely or empty, as if there was something lacking? What role did relationships play in this time? How did this affect your relationship with God, with yourself, or others? How were you challenged or consoled spiritually?
- How did you respond in action to these moments?
- What desire is emerging for you in light of these experiences? Ask God for guidance.
- How does loneliness affect your relationship with God?

Sharing

After some time in prayer and reflection, invite members share what they wrote. Use the Reflection questions given as a guide for group sharing.

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: Try to notice one time this week when the Voice of God or the Voice Not of God seems to be speaking to you. Take a few moments to talk with God about that movement.
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.

“Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.”

-Mother Teresa

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