April 2024: Resurrection
Sometimes we think it must have been easier to accept the Resurrection closer to the event. That wasn't the case for Thomas - how can his doubt help us?
Set up:
For a general explanation and setup see Ambient prayer 1.
Slideshow here. For the background movie in the slideshow see below - it doesn't run in the pdf.
Opening and closing prayers card here.
This was Ambient Prayer 3. It had the structure of ambient prayer - i.e. 5 sections - settle, descent, meditation, silence, ascent.
Welcome:
Brief explanation of what will happen, give out prayer cards
Settle:
**track**
Light a candle
Opening prayer:
As previous Ambient Prayer services.
Collect:
Open our graves, unbind our eyes, and name us here;
touch and heal all that has been buried in us, that we need not cling to our pain,
but may go forth with power to release resurrection in the world.
Amen.
(by Janet Morley)
Descent:
**Track**
Body prayer exercise from Anthony de Mello:
First quiet yourself through the awareness of sensations in various parts of your body...
Now very gently move your hands and fingers so that your hands come to rest on your lap, palms facing upward, fingers joined together...
The movement must be very, very slow...
like the opening of the petals of a flower...
And while the movement is going on, be aware of each part of it...
Once your hands are resting on your lap, palms facing upward, become aware of the sensations in the palms...
Then become aware of the gesture itself: this is a gesture of prayer to God. What are you saying to God through it? Say it without words.
Stand erect with your hands hanging loosely at your sides. Become aware that you are in the presence of God...
Now find some way of expressing to God, through gestures, the following sentiment: "My God, I offer myself to you "...
Make this gesture very slowly being fully aware of your movements and making sure that the movements and the gestures express your sentiment...
Here is one way of expressing the attitude of self-offering: Raise your hands very slowly till they are stretched out in front of you, your arms parallel to the floor...
Now gently tum your hands so that the palms face upward, fingers joined together and outstretched...
Now raise your head very slowly till you are looking up...
Hold this gesture for a minute...
Now let your hands drop gently back to their original position and let your head come down again till it faces the horizon...
Close your eyes. Quieten yourself through one of the awareness exercises...
Now slowly raise your face upward toward God...
Let your eyes continue to be closed...
What are you saying to God through your upturned face? Stay with that sentiment for a while...
Meditation:
**Track**
Ignatian meditation on Thomas
Read the gospel story and then picture it like a short film that unfolds in your mind.
Use your imagination, go with the flow.
Picture the scene - what do you see, hear, smell, touch, taste?
What part of the story are you drawn to?
Which character do you identify with?
Or are you a bystander in the story?
At the end dialogue with Jesus still in the story in your imagination.
Or talk with God about how you feel, how the text relates to your life.
Pause to listen quietly to what God might be saying to you.
Collect
Silence:
Ring a bell then silence
Collect
Ascent:
**Track**
Liturgical call and response to end for the ascent re doubt/faith
Closing prayer:
As previous Ambient Prayer services.
Photos
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