Archbishop Michael Ramsey was once asked
how long he spent in meditation and silent prayer. He was reckoned to
reply "Oh, about 2 minutes per day, but I spend 30 getting ready"
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A whole hour?
Do do not be intimidated
by sixty minutes of nothing to do, doing nothing is doing something!
Nevertheless, come and go as you please and feel free to leave when you
feel you want to: better to spend ten minutes well than sixty minutes
bored.
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Don’t be
afraid of the Silence,
Silence
is quite un-common in our busy lives and hectic world, so it will seem
strange and you might wonder how you will cope. That’s okay!
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Be still.
Try and
adopt a posture where you will not have to keep moving or shifting
about. One of the best is to sit; legs un-crossed, feet flat on the
ground, with knees bent at forty-five degrees; and rest your hands on
your lap.
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Relax.
Take
time to feel your breathing; your heart beat. Let your muscles relax,
especially your shoulders, and let the frown go! You’ll be surprised how
often we tighten the muscles on our face!
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Be aware.
To be
aware, we need to take time to consider and reflect. Slowly and one at a
time, with eyes open or closed, be aware of your surroundings. The
things, the people. Take a look (eyes open or closed) at the things you
might have looked at a thousand times, yet never really seen. Be aware
of the noises, inside and out, the smells (nice and not nice!). Take
your time.
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Time and Place
Try to
think of what it must have been like 175 years ago. Social climate, the
economics,. What kind of place was it where you are now. The people who
must have been around. Consider how much has changed, for the good and
not so good - especially in the Church
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Reflect
Recall
your own Christian journey. How did you first come to be involved with
the Church; who took you? Who taught you the Lord’s Prayer and to pray?
Who are (were) your Godparents/sponsors? Who Baptised or Confirmed you?
Thank God for them and pray for them. Consider your own committed to
Jesus and your part in the life of his Church. Don’t boast to him – ask
him if your commitment is enough!
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Scriptures
Read
the bible (suggested readings are available) or maybe the Gospel for the
previous or coming Sunday. Read it slowly and prayfully. Read the text
at least three times. Look for things you might have never noticed before.
Imagine yourself to be in the story, amongst the group
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The Oxford
Movement
Take
something to read about the Oxford Movement; read the Assize sermon
(available here)
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Worship
Praise
and thank God; be aware how much he loves you; thank him for coming to
us in Jesus; thank him for your baptism and the promise of heaven, REAL
life, don’t be deceived that this is as good as it gets!
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The Future
Thank
him for the courage of the leaders of the Oxford Movement; ask him for
courage amongst the leaders of the Catholic Movement today. Resolve to
change in your life what needs changing; and most important of all:
re-commit yourself to Jesus in the silence of your heart, just you and
him. |
