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An 18-minute audio guided meditation in Mark’s Gospel, drawing on the contemplative Christian tradition.

John the Baptiser appears in the wilderness with clarity of mind and heart and speech. He offers those who come the “baptism of metanoia”. Metanoia comes from two greek words: ‘meta’ which means after or beyond and ‘noein’ which means perception or way of thinking. There is an invitation to step into a whole new understanding of yourself, the Spirit, and your role in the world. We can think of it as ‘life change’. It is often translated as ‘repentance’.

In this meditation we also hear the following words:

“It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,

it is even beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction

of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.

Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying

that the kingdom always lies beyond us.

We are workers, not master builders; ministers not messiahs.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation

in realising that. This enables us to do something,

and to do it very well.

Amen”

• for Oscar Romero by Cardinal John Dearden, quoted from The Ignatian Adventure by Kevin O’Brien SJ, pg 128

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. 

Blessings as you pray.

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” to find out about monthly mini retreats on Zoom or in person, and Retreat in Daily Life. 

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Meditation and shownotes by Lissy Clarke, music by Pete Hatch, editing by Kristy B Lust. Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash.  Audio is mixed by Auphonic using AI software. We are otherwise AI-free.