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An 18-minute audio guided meditation in John’s Gospel, John 16:16-27, with questions for reflection.

This meditation takes on a slightly different pattern as we allow the text to open up questions for our spiritual journey.

Firstly we see how Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure, for a radical shift in their relationship to him.

All enduring relationships go through multiple stages of change and development. Some relationships grow, some relationships atrophy. Sometimes what feels like crisis or loss is actually a movement towards growth, a deepening development.

Secondly Jesus desires to instil a sense of hope, and we use these verses to reflect on our own vision and desires. This is an invitation to name what it is that keeps you moving forward.

In this meditation I invite you to consider the following questions as we journey through the text:

John 16:16-18

Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

When have you felt a sense of disorientation or confusion in your relationship with Christ?

Where are you just now – are you able to see Christ, or is Christ hidden from you?

If Christ is hidden from you, are you able to access any kind of faith, hope or curiosity about where this is leading?

How would you describe the texture of your relationship with Christ in this season?

John 16:19-22

 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’?  Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

What future are you hoping for?

In a spiritual sense, what is your direction of travel?

John 16:23

On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Can you imagine a state of being in which you have nothing you need to ask for?

What are the deepest longings and cries of your heart?

John 16:26-27

On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you.

You are loved by the Father. Rest in that love, dialogue with the One who Loves you.

*****

Any of these questions could take quite some time to answer. Many of them are key questions for spiritual direction. You may wish to revisit them in your journal, or with a soul friend. Don’t feel you need to answer all of them thoroughly today. Let one or two stand out to you, and linger over these.

As the meditation concludes I invite you to notice what stays in your mind and heart. Give that your attention in prayer.

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.

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All music by Pete Hatch.