Week 19 - Jesus gives life
Theme:
Jesus gives us food for the journey. In this way he makes it possible for us to live in accordance with His spirit.
What I may wish to ask:
That Jesus can satisfy my hunger and that I can learn to joyfully receive good things from Him.
I take several deep breaths and, in this way, I let go of the cares of the world leaving them outside this chapel or this place of prayer. I take another few slow and deep breaths and become aware that I am present in this holy place. I take yet another few slow and deep breaths and I place myself before our God who is looking at us with love.
Afbeelding: Schilderij van Peter Clare (ca. 2000) bij Psalm 23.
Schilderij is in bezit van de Britse jezuïeten
Music: The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23, John Rutter, CD the very best of John Rutter, Cambridge Singers, City of London sinfonia)
The Lord is my shepherd
Therefore can I lack nothing
He shall feed me in a green pasture
And lead me forth beside the waters of comfort
He shall convert my soul
And bring me forth in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake
For His name’s sake
For His name’s sake
Even though I walk
Trough the valley of the
Shadow of death
I will fear no evil
For Thou art with me
Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me
Thou shalt prepare a table before me
Against them that trouble me
Thou hast anointed my head with oil
And my cup shall be full
But thy loving kindness
and mercy
Shall follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell
In the house of the Lord
In the house
In the house of the Lord forever.
Spotify Link:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4l8E36Tqb04eeCR5z2KU3s?si=b54dc42242de4697
YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/COiQRI4dUjE?si=Qr3ljglh0sbVt-oZ
1. The psalmist describes his relationship with God as the relationship a shepherd has with his flock. The shepherd, God, allows the psalmist to rest in a green pasture and He leads him beside waters of comfort. Is that my idea, the picture which comes to my mind, when I think of my own relationship with God or do I have a different picture? I try to see the picture which most closely describes my relationship with God and to see it as vividly as I can. To do this I use all my senses. (What do I see, what do I hear, what do I smell, what do I feel?)
2. The psalmist says: Therefore can I lack nothing. Is that my own experience? Which inner movements can I perceive in myself?
3. The psalmist says that whatever he may encounter on his way, God shall always be with him and shall always provide him with food and protection. I look back on my life. Do I recognize that in my own life, that God looks after me and feeds me?
Music: The Lord is my shepherd (John Rutter). Cambridge Singers