Contemplative at Home

Jesus said to them “Follow me”

The invitation to the spiritual life is always an invitation to move further on, further in. No matter where you find yourself at present, Jesus invites you to continue following on and in. You are invited to an ever-deepening awareness of yourself and God’s love for you, and an ever-deepening awareness of the way in which God is inviting you to give your life away.

Jesus said to them “Follow me”

In this episode we pray with Matthew 4:18-22.

May the story become yours in some way.

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.

An imaginative contemplation with Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus in the wilderness.

Every blessing 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.

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

All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com.

Today we take the text of Matthew 3 and enter the story in our imaginations. Imaginative Contemplation is a different and playful way to engage with scripture and the Spirit, with the aim of growing in intimacy with the Lord.

Come out to the Judean wilderness where John is preaching that the Kingdom of Heaven has comes near. See what is happening, who else has come, and decide whether you will take part.

Thank you to Sue Rebus for pointing out to me that those coming to John were intimately familiar with the experience of submerging in water as a sign of moving forward spiritually. Perhaps you want to take a quick look at images of the mikveh online to inform the context of your prayer.

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.

Thank you for your kind words last week. I’m glad to say normalcy is returning to our household and I am making a tentative return to weekly podcasting…

In this episode we pray with Mary and Joseph as they present Jesus in the Temple, in Luke 2:22-39.

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.”

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

–Luke 2:22-39

All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com.

A Christmas meditation with Luke 2:1-8… perhaps you’ll share it with some children in your life (and you may recognise the children who lend their voices to the gospel readings…)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Every blessing as you pray, especially in this season of Christmas. Warmest Wishes.

During Advent, we remember and prepare for the coming of Christ in three ways: firstly, we remember the generations who awaited the birth of Messiah, recorded in the prophecy and longing of the Old Testament. Secondly, we prepare our own hearts for dawning of Christ’s light in new and deeper ways, and thirdly, we look to Christ’s return.

Again, advent is a time to be “present to our longing and vulnerable to hope” (Gertrude Mueller Nelson). For personal meditation on that theme, see last week’s bonus “Advent Meditation: Longing and Hope”

Today we pray with Sunday’s lectionary reading from Matthew 1:18-25. In this passage we meet Joseph, heavy and burdened by a difficult decision in painful circumstances. Just as he decides to back away quietly, from deep in his sleep an angel of the Lord encourages him instead to step forward into trust, into light, into his important role of the coming of Emmanuel.

Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel’,

which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

If you wish to engage further with this text, I again recommend the meditation at IgnatianSpirituality.com.

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 episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify and many other podcast platforms. Please do consider leaving a rating or review wherever you listen, as this helps the podcast to become more visible on these platforms. Thank you!

All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com.

During Advent, we remember and prepare for the coming of Christ in three ways: firstly, we remember the generations who awaited the birth of Messiah, recorded in the prophecy and longing of the Old Testament. Secondly, we prepare our own hearts for dawning of Christ’s light in new and deeper ways, and thirdly, we look to Christ’s return.

Again, advent is a time to be “present to our longing and vulnerable to hope” (Gertrude Mueller Nelson). For personal meditation on that theme, see last week’s bonus “Advent Meditation: Longing and Hope”

Today we pray with Sunday’s lectionary reading from Matthew 11:2-11, where we remember John the Baptist who pointed and waited, whose longing took him to the wilderness, whose passion took him to prison, whose vision prophesied hope and the coming of the Messiah.

Matthew 11:2-11

When John was in prison, he heard what the Messiah was doing, and he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

I do encourage you to visit IgnatianSpirituality.com for artwork and further meditation on this passage.

Every blessing 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.

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

All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com.

During Advent, we remember and prepare for the coming of Christ in three ways: firstly, we remember the generations who awaited the birth of Messiah, recorded in the prophecy and longing of the Old Testament. Secondly, we prepare our own hearts for dawning of Christ’s light in new and deeper ways, and thirdly, we look to Christ’s return.

Again, advent is a time to be “present to our longing and vulnerable to hope” (Gertrude Mueller Nelson). For personal meditation on that theme, see last week’s bonus “Advent Meditation: Longing and Hope”

In this meditation we pray with Sunday’s lectionary reading from Isaiah 11:1-10, the prophecy of the shoot coming up from the stump of Jesse, and a vision of the peace and righteousness that will bring:

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 belt

and 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[a] together;

and a little child will lead them.

The cow will feed with the bear,

their young will lie down together,

and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

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 destroy

on all my holy mountain,

for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord

as the waters cover the sea.

In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.

For further Ignatian reflection on this particular passage, I’d encourage you to visit IgnatianSpirituality.com, where you will find a video meditation on Stumme’s painting, and a written guided meditation.

Every blessing 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.

If Christmas is about the dawning of light,

the beginning of hope in the midst of painful and difficult circumstances,

then the season of Advent is a time to “be present to our longing and vulnerable to hope.” (Gertrude Mueller Nelson, To Dance with God)

I love this. Advent’s key invitation is to be present to our longing and vulnerable to hope.

Amidst the tinselly blur of activity in the next few weeks, I invite you to take a few opportunities to step aside, to stop, and be quiet, to engage with your longing and look with hope to the light that is coming.

This seven minute meditation (including two final minutes of music) will help you to engage with your own longing and waiting, and to look hopefully to the light that will dawn.

Please be warned that I invite you to call to mind a situation that is difficult or painful just now, and sit with it for about 20 seconds. Please don’t engage with this meditation if you don’t have the capacity to do that at this time.

This meditation is especially dedicated to all the wreath-making women at St Mark’s church in Bilton. May you have moments of quiet this advent.

“The people who walked in darkeness have seen a great light.” Isaiah 9:2

Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being borne out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.

All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com.

This November, with a nod to the American Thanksgiving holiday, Contemplative at Home has prayed with stories on the theme of Gratitude.

This is the final in our short series, and you are invited to join your own song of gratitude with Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1, NRSV) as you listen to the slow and thoughtful reading of this passage, alert for the gem of insight hidden in one word or phrase from the text.

“My soul magnifies the Lord,    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.    Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,    and holy is his name.His mercy is for those who fear him    from generation to generation.He has shown strength with his arm;    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,    and lifted up the lowly;he has filled the hungry with good things,    and sent the rich away empty.He has helped his servant Israel,    in remembrance of his mercy,according to the promise he made to our ancestors,    to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com.