Week 14 - Pure Awareness
Theme of this week
Having a pure, true awareness will give us greater insight when considering the inner movements – whether these are good or bad – which take place in our hearts and minds. During these meditations we develop the art of discerning these inner movements, to become more sensitive to them and to be able to test them with regard to how they fit with the Gospel.
What I may wish to ask:
That I may receive a clearer perception of what goes on within me and can learn to deal with that in a better way. That I can avoid going astray and taking the wrong track. That I can learn to choose what will help me more.
Music: May it be. Enya (Written for the film “The Lord of the Rings”)
May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh! How far you are from home
Mornië utúlië
Believe and you will find your way
Mornië alantië
A promise lives within you now
May it be the shadows call
Will fly away
May it be you journey on
To light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun
Mornië utúlië
Believe and you will find your way
Mornië alantië
A promise lives within you now
A promise lives within you now
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/track/1wIQ2Nm0raqOapHK4bCD3J?si=52d9bf3941d84989
YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/_8u4VLk0iTI?si=eEAe8_VcUBt_WZF8
Matthew 2: 1-12
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
The wise men from the east saw a star in the sky and embarked on a long journey far from home in order to follow it. They must have felt very confident that that particular star would lead them to something truly special. I look back at my own life and ask myself how it came about that I followed a trail leading me to the Christ-child, Jesus.
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When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet, ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least amongst the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learnt from them exactly what time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.”
King Herod and the people around him feel threatened by this new-born baby. Is this child from Bethlehem threatening, even frightening, to me? What is it in me which stops me from letting Him into my heart?
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They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
I imagine this situation and try to use all my senses to do this. What movements do I notice in myself while I look at this scene in this way?
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Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.
Dreams are connected with following your intuitions. The three kings feel strongly as a result of their contact with God that they should not return to Herod. Is that something I recognize in my own life: that after encountering Jesus, my further life follows a different path? Maybe I no longer want to return to a particular place or life-style?
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