Contemplative at Home

A mindful stilling exercise followed by an imaginative contemplation. You are in the crowd following Jesus when Bartimaeus, blind and begging at the side of the road, causes a stir.

Based on Mark 10:46-52.

Every blessing as you pray.

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A mindful stilling exercise followed by an imaginative contemplation. You are in the boat with Jesus, at the end of a long day, when a storm suddenly threatens to engulf you.

Based on Mark 4:35-40

Every blessing as you pray.

Sign up here for our brief weekly newsletter, the Contemplative Window.

Join me for an imaginative experience with Luke 5 – Jesus, teaching to the crowds, gets into Simon’s boat, to teach from the shore. When he finishes teaching, he says to Simon Peter “put out into the deep water and let down your net.” What might Jesus say to you on the lake, in the face of this abundance of fish?

Sign up here for my new weekly email “The Contemplative Window” – a brief set of pointers to the latest podcast episode and other contemplative resources.

Every blessing,

Lissy

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.

All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com.

Psalm 69

“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold” Psalm 69:1

I’m not sure how your week has been, but the groundhog day effect of lockdown has been wearying in our house. Motivation lagging, malaise taking hold.

I’m encouraged by Teresa of Avila to entrust my inner self to communion with the presence of God.

As you ‘Behold the Lord beholding you” (St Ignatius) may you be renewed, set free.

MUCH LOVE AS ALWAYS

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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I have recently launched a brief bullet-point Friday newsletter “The Contemplative Window” which will send you weekly links to the latest contemplative at home website, as well as other resources for contemplative prayer. You can sign up here! (If it says you already have an account, message me and I will sort it out for you!)

Third in a series of “Psalms in times of uncertainty”

Inhale. Exhale. Lots of love to you all.

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.

Psalms in times of Uncertainty

Psalm 60:1-5

“You have rejected us, broken our defenses… You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger”

Instability and “desperate times” are by no means a new phenomenon in the human experience, however as an American, these words feel heartbreakingly current.

“But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.”

What do these words, which echo across millenia and civilizations have to say to us today?

What is the bow that threatens us?

Who are ‘those God loves’?

“You have been angry. Now restore us.”

May the restoration come with justice and peace for all.

Amen.

Grace and Peace.

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.

For more information and show notes please visit www.contemplativeathome.com or find us on Facebook.

All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com.

Its been a week, loves, and we turn our meditation to Psalm 57 “I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings”

We aren’t called to hide from the trauma and distress of the world, but we are invited, in our inner being, to entrust ourselves to the steadfast love and faithfulness of the God of heaven. This is an interior posture, an anxiety management tool. “I am in the midst of lions, I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts {pandemic? narcissistic leaders? white privilege? conspiracy theories?}… my heart is steadfast… Awake, my soul!… for Great is your Love. Your Faithfulness stretches to the sky”

I do have a cold, I hope the congestion in my voice doesn’t distract.

GRACE AND PEACE and much love.

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.

All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com.

Savouring the Graces of 2020 and looking to 2021

Happy New Year, friends.

Has our generation has ever been as collectively hopeful for the new year?

This examen prayer gives you space to name the sorrows and gifts of this remarkable year, and to think towards your intentions for the year to come.

As always, every blessing as you pray.With much love

Lissy xx

Christmas Greetings, dear ones!!

This meditation looks at the infant Jesus and considers Isaiah’s prophecy: “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse”

{ yes, for those of you participating in the retreat, this is the same theme we followed this week! feel free to revisit it in a slightly different form here. }

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,the Spirit of counsel and of might,the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,or decide by what he hears with his ears;but with righteousness he will judge the needy,with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.Righteousness will be his beltand faithfulness the sash around his waist.The wolf will live with the lamb,the leopard will lie down with the goat,the calf and the lion and the yearling together;and a little child will lead them.The infant will play near the cobra’s den,and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.They will neither harm nor destroyon all my holy mountain,for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lordas the waters cover the sea.

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.

All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com.

Isaiah 9:2-7

The people walking in darkness    have seen a great light;on those living in the land of deep darkness    a light has dawned.3 You have enlarged the nation    and increased their joy; they rejoice before you    as people rejoice at the harvest…4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,    you have shatteredthe yoke that burdens them,    the bar across their shoulders,    the rod of their oppressor.5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle    and every garment rolled in bloodwill be destined for burning,    will be fuel for the fire.6 For to us a child is born,    to us a son is given,    and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the greatness of his government and peace    there will be no end.He will reign on David’s throne    and over his kingdom,establishing and upholding it    with justice and righteousness    from that time on and forever.The zeal of the Lord Almighty    will accomplish this.