Week 1 - My desire
Welcome in our beautiful Stanislas Chapel at the beginning of a new season of Ignatian meditations. The theme this week is “My desire”.
I focus first on what will help me with my meditation. I become aware of how I am sitting. It helps to sit with a straight back and my feet firmly on the ground. I might want to close my eyes or maybe watch the flickering flame of the candle. I become aware of my breathing: not to change that in any way but just to pay attention to the breaths I take which give me life. I become aware of how I am feeling, here in this circle of people and at this particular moment in time.
God is looking at me now. He is looking at me with love and friendliness. I try to really let His love for me sink in: to feel it and accept it. Whether I deserve it or not God is looking at me with deep love.
Music: Dit ene weten wij. Henriëtte Roland Holst van der Schalk
Dit ene weten wij en aan dit één
houden we ons vast in de donkere uren:
er is een Woord, dat eeuwiglijk zal duren,
en wie 't verstaat, die is niet meer alleen.
This one thing we know. Henriëtte Roland Holst van der Schalk
This one thing we know and to this one thing
we cling in the darkest hours:
there is a Word, that will last forever more,
and whoever understands it, will no longer be alone.
Spotify link:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6K37islzW8zGLsvjaTc9mt?si=8a462c4010464255
YouTube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbMoAhNRNl0
John 1, 35-39
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples; and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
I step into this scene and see John the Baptist, Jesus and the disciples. I notice the surroundings: are we by the river, in the shade of trees or in the heat of the afternoon sun. I imagine that I join the two disciples and follow Jesus. He turns around and asks me: “What do you seek? What do you desire?” What am I looking for actually? In the very depths of my heart what is it that I desire?
*
Together with the disciples I go with Jesus to the place where He is staying. What do I see there? What do I hear? Does Jesus tell me what He desires from me? The two disciples remain with Jesus from this moment on: they devote their lives to following Him. And I?
*
There is a Word and whoever understands it, will no longer be alone. We come together here in this circle in the chapel and together we try to understand God’s Word during these meditations. I think about the other people around me in this chapel. Do I experience them as supporting me on my quest? Do I feel that I am no longer alone?
*
Prayer:
In this moment I come to You,
my God,
still and full of reverence
gratefully knowing that You know me,
completely,
that You are waiting for me
and longing for me,
as my heart longs for You….
And everything becomes still.
Music: Dit ene weten wij (This one thing we know)