BEGIN
Welcome to the Desert Files meditation for
the second week in Lent.
Sit comfortably in front of your computer, in
a place where you won't be distracted or
interrupted.
Take the meditation as quickly or slowly as
you like, pressing the "MOVE ON" button to go
to the next page.
RELEASE
Recall the events of the past day, from just before this prayer time, back through to yesterday. As you recall each event, notice the feelings that went with it, and gently let go of it. Gather up any part of yourself that got stuck in reacting to those earlier events and return to the now.
ATTEND
Close your eyes, and in your mind, in
silence, hear your own voice saying your name,
several times. What does that feel like?
Then, hear another voice saying your name... a
voice you love and trust. Maybe someone you
know, or perhaps a voice you've never heard
before. Let this be the voice of God for you
today.
READ
Slowly read the following words from the Christian tradition:
When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi,
he asked his disciples, 'What are people saying
about who the Son of Man is?' They replied,
'Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say
Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other
prophets.' He pressed them, 'And how about you?
Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter said, 'You're
the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living
God.' Jesus came back, 'God bless you, Simon,
son of Jonah! ...now I'm going to tell you who
you are, really are. You are Peter, a
rock.'
[Matthew chapter 16 vv 13-18, message trans; Colossians chap 3 vv 2-4 nrsv trans]
'Set your minds on things that are above, not
on things that are on earth, for...your life is
hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is
your life is revealed, then you also will be
revealed with him...'
[letter to the Colossians]
CONSIDER
Which of us really knows who we are?
Different people reflect back to us different
aspects of ourselves... both positively and
negatively. We form our identity through the
things we do, the things we think about, the
things we buy, the relationships we have.
Is it possible that God might have something
to say to us about who we really are? When we
sit in contemplative prayer, we often
experience many thoughts. These thoughts can
tell us something about what preoccupies us,
and hence, who we think we are. If it is true
that our self is hidden in God, we can release
our thoughts, rather than identifying with
them.
CONTEMPLATE
Take some time to be silent with God now,
for about 5 minutes, or more. Don't think about
anything in particular, just be as open and
attentive as you can.
When you notice that you are distracted gently
bring yourself back to the place of simple
'being.' You might find it helpful to say
internally, the word or phrase that you were
reflecting on from the reading, as a prompt to
let go of the distraction.
Don't expect anything to 'happen' during this
period of contemplation. It is enough that you
are here, being still.
RESPOND
Is there a verbal prayer or action that you want to make in response to your meditation today?
