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Daily Reflection for Friday, January 6

“Beloved: Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5.5

 

Success is intoxicating for everyone. Through faith, I recognize success is not everything though.

I redefine my visions of glory and success for this new year in the light of Jesus Christ, whose self-emptying sets the stage for total defeat through which the most unlikely of victories can arise.

© 2012. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Daily Reflection for Friday December 30, 2011

“The Lord took Abram outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.’”    Genesis 15.5-6

 

Everything begins with God.

Since I do not know what the new year will bring, I trust God and will look for indications of providence, provision and particular guidance for my spiritual journey.

Perhaps I will join Abram one night under the sky and listen for the calm whisper of Spirit speaking directly to my heart and believe again the ancient promises from above.

 

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Daily Reflection for Thursday December 29, 2011

“Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.”  1 John 2.9-10

As the new year approaches it is customary to make resolutions and wishes.

Perhaps there is something I need to examine with more honesty and courage.

I ask God for the courage to shed loving light in the places of my inner darkness.

 

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Daily Reflection for Wednesday December 28, 2011

“God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.”  1 John 1.5

Each year the media reflects on the year that has passed, summing it up and categorizing the various events that have occurred.

Perhaps I am noticing such stories this week. I hold in my heart a wish to bring the light of God’s love into every day that has occurred this year, including the difficult ones.

During this inner review of time, I feel connected with the eternal Now – the vertical dimension where all things are revealed and healed in the light of God.

 

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

 

 

Daily Reflection for Tuesday December 27, 2011

 “Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”   1 John 1.4

The holidays can trigger feelings of loneliness and memories of loved ones who have departed.

Perhaps I am aware of the absence of a particular relationship in my life this year, or that someone in my life is feeling alone this week.

In the silence of this meditation moment, I wish to feel the touch of the enduring relationship of love that exists within God as Father-Son-Holy Spirit.

I rest in this relationship as the center of meaning and companionship for my life and those I love.

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Christmas Eve Reflection for Saturday, December 24, 2011

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…and the Word became flesh and dwelled among us.   John 1:1, 4       

 

I only remember one Christmas Eve sermon from my childhood and youth. I was 17 years old and distinctly remember my pastor teaching on this most beautiful and profound verse from the Gospel of John about the Word (in Greek, Logos), which can mean the organizing principle connecting everything.

That night I learned that the word Word is also a synonym for Christ, the title Jesus was given that recognized His divinity and messianic lineage.

Thus, Jesus was fully human from Mary and fully Divine from the Word, and this union is what made Him the Christ.

I recall that it was a very cold Wisconsin night. I walked outside the church sanctuary after the service and looked up into the starry night sky. Just then was when the mystery of Christmas began to feel real for me.  I began to see that Christianity was not just about a story of a little baby born in Bethlehem.

It was also a demonstration of what every human being was meant to be. Whereas Jesus was born the Son of God by nature, we can be re-born as sons and daughters of God by grace.

The car was freezing and took ten minutes to warm up, but as I shivered in the back seat I felt very warmed by the love of God and the knowledge I had just received from my pastor’s teaching. I began to realize right then that Christmas is not just about Jesus because the Word that became flesh as Jesus was in existence before Jesus was born!

Thus, it dawned on me that Christmas is also about the Word. I began to deeply ponder; what was this Word that existed before Jesus was born?  I suspect I will always ponder this mystery at the heart of Christmas.

Perhaps this Christmas eve you can take a moment to ponder the Christmas mystery too. Perhaps you will go outside and look up into the Milky Way Galaxy and not just ask who is the baby Jesus, but also what is the Word, that is to say, the Logos that became flesh as Jesus?

And perhaps you will feel as I did – strangely warmed by the presence of Love and Wisdom, awakened to the gift of a Christmas not just about the infant Jesus, but about the God who came near to show humankind the way back home in union with the living Word of God, so that we too might become sons and daughters of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8.17).

Holy Spirit of God – with Mary, we ask that Christ be born in us according to Thy Word. Amen.

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Daily Reflection for Friday December 23, 2011

“Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.”  Psalm 25.4-5

And now as this final week of Advent draws to a close, I ask for guidance in truth and love as I prepare to experience Christmas with an open heart to God, family and friends. May all my Advent aims and efforts bear the fruit of the Spirit, radiating in and through me, joined with the circle of saints through all time showing forth our praise to God in silence, song and service.

 

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Daily Reflection for Thursday December 22, 2011

 “God remembered the promise of mercy, the promise God made to our fathers.”  Luke 1.55

The Christmas event is not just about the baby Jesus.

The birth of the Christ in Bethlehem was an evolutionary hinge moment with a long preparation and a continuing present.

The preparation included countless people who trusted God and offered their lives as living participants of the unfolding story.

So what is God doing today? How am I consenting to participate in the continuing invitation to Life in Christ?

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Daily Reflection for Wednesday December 21, 2011

 “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”  Luke 1.45

In this world all things are not possible. But a way exists by which many things previously thought impossible can be.

That way is shown forth by people of simple faith.

I remember Mary and Joseph. I remember the blind man. I remember Jesus’ last words from the cross.

Yes, this world is bound by incomprehensible laws tending toward suffering.

But resurrection happens and that is where Christmas can take us.

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

Daily Reflection for Tuesday December 20, 2011

 “Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary.’”  Luke 1.30

What is God calling me to do? Perhaps there is something I feel called to do, but am afraid.

I gain strength today from the gentle faith of Mary who gave herself to God.

I take such scriptures as textual angels, speaking their strength in the midst of life that is happening in the only way it can, but navigated by the presence of graceful influences.

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

ContemplativeChristians.com is an online spiritual resource for the contemplative Christian journey deeper into God’s love, celebrating the gifts of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Silence, Solitude, Service, Nature, and especially the writings of Thomas Keating, and other teachers, contemplatives and mystics who have contributed to our understanding of the spiritual journey and contemplative Christianity.

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