Posted on April 15, 2024
Imaginative Contemplation – Mary Meets Jesus at the Tomb – John 20
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A guided meditation with John 20:11-18, using imaginative contemplation. 23 minutes.
This is the re-release of a meditation first published in 2022.
This passage has meant so much to me and helped me, in a crisis of faith, to see that what feels like The End may in fact be a beginning, an invitation to something much bigger.
Here are some thoughts I shared in 2022:
“In today’s meditation, based on John 20:11-18, Mary isn’t ready to see that she is in transition. She still clings with all she’s worth … to Jesus of Nazareth as she’s known him and loved him.
Jesus, however, is ushering her in to a different, but deeper relationship with both himself and the Father. She’s now being offered the same intimacy and access to the Father that Jesus has had himself. “I’m going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” To step into this, she must let go of Jesus as she’s known him.
As you travel to this moment in your imagination, may you encounter the risen Jesus, and may this speak to whatever transition, or liminal space, you find yourself in just now.”
Every blessing.
For further meditations on encounters with the risen Christ from John’s Gospel, check out these links:
Jesus appears to the disciples in the upper room, speaking “Peace” and breathing the Holy Spirit into them. (18 minutes – John 20:19-23)
Thomas, who needs to see to believe. (18 minutes – John 20:24-29)
Breakfast on the Beach (21 minutes – John 21:1-14)
Do You Love Me? (20 minutes – John 21:15-22)
Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.
Sign up for Lissy’s newsletter “The Contemplative Window” or join our Facebook group here
You can support the show by sharing it with a friend, rating it on your preferred podcast platform, making a one-off donation or becoming a member. Thank you so much!
All music by Pete Hatch.
Updated on April 19, 2024
Imaginative Contemplation – Early on the First Day of the Week – Easter Meditation
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A 16-minute audio guided meditation in John’s Gospel, John 20:1-10, using Imaginative Contemplation.
Christ is risen. Alleluia!
In this meditation we are reminded that the resurrection of Jesus broke over his friends and disciples slowly, amidst confusion and stress.
As I reviewed this meditation for editing, I was surprised at how vivid the experience at the empty tomb was for me, and found a beautiful new light in my heart.
Enter this story for yourself and discover a new perspective on your faith in the resurrection of Christ.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.
Sign up for Lissy’s newsletter “The Contemplative Window” or join our Facebook group here
You can support the show by sharing it with a friend, rating it on your preferred podcast platform, making a one-off donation or becoming a member. Thank you so much!
Image: The Two Disciples at the Tomb by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1906. Public Domain.
All music by Pete Hatch.
Posted on March 28, 2024
Oops! Surpise Email
Hey Friends,
I’m beavering away behind the scenes today getting ready for the launch of the new Contemplative at Home website. Keep an eye out for more on this in the coming weeks.
For some reason, in my back room organising, an episode that had missed its release date last August was inadvertently released. It wasn’t my intention to send it to you today, but out it has gone, so do enjoy when you have a moment.
My apologies for busy-ing your inbox.
All blessings on your Holy Week and Easter observances.
Warmly
Lissy
Updated on April 19, 2024
A Good Friday Meditation – The Passion of Christ – John’s Gospel
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A 19-minute audio guided meditation in John’s Gospel, John 19:13-42, using Lectio Divina.
I am struck by two key invitations as we meditate on the suffering of Jesus in Holy Week.
The first invitation is to see how fully and completely Jesus offered himself in love.
And the second invitation is to attend to pain, to difficult emotions and circumstances. Our public and private lives give us more than enough pain to come to terms with and it is often easiest to ignore or numb in the face of it all. But at the cross Jesus seems to suggest that the only way is through (as the adventurer in the children’s rhyme “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” knew so well). The only way to resurrection and eternal life is through the grave. The only way to wholeness is through the heart centre of all that is broken. The only way to healing is through the pain.
May you have the grace to open yourself more fully to this mystery this week.
This meditation covers several moments in the crucifixion and death of Christ, and each section is read just one time. If you’d like to repeat a particular section or the entirety of the passage you will find the relevant times below.
6:24 Pilate hands Jesus over to the Jews – John 19:13-16
8:11 Jesus is put on the cross – John 19:17-25
11:09 At the foot of the cross “Here is your son, here is your mother” – John 19:25-27
12:13 Sour wine and “it is finished” – John 19:28-30
13:27 Jesus side is pierced – John 19:31-37
15:17 Jesus is buried – John 19:38-42
In this meditation on John’s Gospel, I invite you to join me in taking a ‘long, loving look’ at the passion of Christ, beholding the words as living, shimmering, life-giving containers which hold endless layers of wisdom, mystery, beauty and truth.
Just for these few minutes, I invite you to leave your dogma, your creed, your thoughts, and your rational mind aside, and become present to your deeper self, your true self or essential self. I invite you to a way of unknowing, a place of deep being.
Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.
Sign up for Lissy’s newsletter “The Contemplative Window” or join our Facebook group here
You can support the show by sharing it with a friend, rating it on your preferred podcast platform, making a one-off donation or becoming a member. Thank you so much!
All music by Pete Hatch.
Updated on April 19, 2024
Lectio Divina – Jesus is Handed Over – Holy Week meditation – John 19
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A 17-minute audio guided meditation in John’s Gospel, John 19:1-9, using Lectio Divina.
In this Holy Week meditation on John’s Gospel, I invite you to join me in taking a ‘long, loving look’ at Jesus as he endures these grim moments of his arrest, ‘trial’, and conviction to crucifixion. Notice the way he remains present and attentive even while circumstances become frayed and harried around him.
Just for these few minutes, I invite you to leave your dogma, your creed, your thoughts, and your rational mind aside, and become present to your deeper self, your true self or essential self. I invite you to a way of unknowing, a place of deep being.
Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.
Sign up for Lissy’s newsletter “The Contemplative Window” or join our Facebook group here
You can support the show by sharing it with a friend, rating it on your preferred podcast platform, making a one-off donation or becoming a member. Thank you so much!
All music by Pete Hatch.
Updated on April 19, 2024
Lectio Divina – Jesus Before Pilate – John 18
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A 22-minute audio guided meditation on John’s Gospel, John 18:33-40 using Lectio Divina.
In this meditation on John’s Gospel, I invite you to join me in taking a ‘long, loving look’ at a few verses of text, beholding the words as living, shimmering, life-giving containers which hold endless layers of wisdom, mystery, beauty and truth.
Here is the text for todays meditation, from the NRSV:
John 18:33-40
Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” They shouted in reply, “Not this man but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a rebel.
Just for these few minutes, I invite you to leave your dogma, your creed, your thoughts, and your rational mind aside, and become present to your deeper self, your true self or essential self. I invite you to a way of unknowing, a place of deep being.
Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.
Sign up for Lissy’s newsletter “The Contemplative Window” or join our Facebook group here
You can support the show by sharing it with a friend, rating it on your preferred podcast platform, making a one-off donation or becoming a member. Thank you so much!
All music by Pete Hatch.
Updated on April 19, 2024
Lectio Divina – Peter Denies Jesus
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A 22-minute meditation with John 18:12-27, using breath work and Lectio Divina.
A meditation for Lent as Jesus is arrested and interviewed by Annas.
Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.
Sign up for Lissy’s newsletter “The Contemplative Window” or join our Facebook group here
You can support the show by sharing it with a friend, rating it on your preferred podcast platform, making a one-off donation or becoming a member. Thank you so much!
All music by Pete Hatch.
Updated on February 29, 2024
The Truth Will Make You Free – Lectio Divina – John 8
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A 16-minute guided audio meditation with John 8:31-36, using breath work and Lectio Divina.
“We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying ‘You will be made free’?” John 8:33
Jesus invites his followers into an interior freedom. We could devote our entire lives to the exploration of this invitation. You might find it useful to reflect on these questions:
- Where and when do I feel lack of freedom around my choices or my reactions?
- When and how do I feel an inability to give and receive love?
- In what ways do I feel stuck?
- Am I free to express my needs and opinions with confidence and grace?
- Where do I feel most alive? Where do I feel least alive?
Every blessing as you reflect and pray.
You are more loved than you can ever imagine. May this be the truth that sets you free.
Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.
Sign up for Lissy’s newsletter “The Contemplative Window” or join our Facebook group here
You can support the show by sharing it with a friend, rating it on your preferred podcast platform, making a one-off donation or becoming a member. Thank you so much!
All music by Pete Hatch.
Updated on March 28, 2024
The Light of the World – Lectio Divina with John 8:12-20
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A 22-minute audio guided meditation in John’s Gospel, John 8:12-20, using Lectio Divina.
My invitation to you, always, is to engage with scripture through your creative, non-rational self. Rational engagement with scripture is equally important – we usually call it bible study – and I hope there is a dose of it in your rhythms. But my invitation is to help you engage with this sacred text through the non-thinking parts of yourself. With your intuition, your soul, your inner knowing.
In this passage, there is debate. The pharisees are pushing Jesus, prodding with questions and asking for how he measures to the framework of their law.
You will have your own responses to this, and as you listen I invite you to stay in your deep inner knowing, to allow one word or phrase to open meaning for you, and to let the rest fall away.
I see Jesus here deep in his own inner knowing, profoundly connected with his Source, and focussed wholly on that alone.
May you come close to Jesus as you pray with this text.
All love, all Light, all blessings.
Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.
Sign up for Lissy’s newsletter “The Contemplative Window” or join our Facebook group here
You can support the show by sharing it with a friend, rating it on your preferred podcast platform, making a one-off donation or becoming a member. Thank you so much!
All music by Pete Hatch.
Updated on February 16, 2024
The Woman Caught – Imaginative Contemplation – John 8
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A 23-minute audio meditation with John 8:1-11, using Imaginative Contemplation.
In this meditation on John’s Gospel, I invite you to join me in taking a ‘long, loving look’ at a few verses of text, beholding the words as living, shimmering, life-giving containers which hold endless layers of wisdom, mystery, beauty and truth.
Just for these few minutes, I invite you to leave your dogma, your creed, your thoughts, and your rational mind aside, and become present to your deeper self, your true self or essential self.
In imaginative contemplation we invite the Spirit to speak to us through the faculty of the imagination, allowing the text to come alive as we fill in the sensory details in our minds (eg what do I hear, how does she appear?), as we allow the story to become our own in some way.
As always with guided meditation, keep yourself in a safe emotional space – if you don’t feel comfortable with the experience, gently come back to your breath.
Deepest blessings as you pray here.
Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.
Sign up for Lissy’s newsletter “The Contemplative Window” or join our Facebook group here
You can support the show by sharing it with a friend, rating it on your preferred podcast platform, making a one-off donation or becoming a member. Thank you so much!
All music by Pete Hatch.