Weeks 3 +4 | St George's Maghull

Praying through Eastertide Weeks 3 & 4

Easter Season Examen

https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/easter-season-examen/

Continuing along the Path of Synodality

Pope Leo has invited us to continue to embrace the journey of synodality recognising that ‘our relationships do not respond to the logic of power but to that of love.’ As we journey through Eastertime towards the great feast of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost we have an opportunity to reflect on the document that came from the final session of the Synod on Synodality called by Pope Francis that Pope Leo is now urging us to embrace at every level in the life of the Church. Tuesday evenings 7 pm to 8.30 pm - 21st, 28th April and 5th, 12th, 19th May.

To join the zoom meeting use the weblink below and enter the meeting details https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/89983555285pwd=VBTox3xbJiWrU8x00sbiuCGmnO97 Xn.1

Meeting ID: 899 8355 5285

Passcode: 981267

Praying in Resurrection Joy – Reflection

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/easter/praying-in-resurrection-joy/

Be Fearless. Be Joyful. Be Renewed – Reflection

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/easter/living-the-spirit-of-easter/

Experience Easter – Reflection

https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/experiencing-easter/

Easter Activities for Children

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/easter/easter-resources/

Praying the Rosary During Easter.

As the Easter stretches through April and May, the month typically dedicated to Our Lady. Each week there will be a Mystery from the Glorious Mysteries. The decade will be broken down into ten short scriptural passages which can be slowly meditated on as the decade is recited. Take time with this prayer, perhaps have a few minutes reflection during each Hail Mary

The Second Glorious Mystery – Jesus Ascends to Heaven”.

“I am going to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” Jn. 20:17
“I go to prepare a place for you.” Jn. 14:2
“That where I am, there you also may be.” Jn. 14:3
“Make disciples of all nations.” Mat. 28:19
“There shall be one fold and one shepherd.” Jn. 10:16
“I am with you all days.” Mat. 28:20
“You have not chosen Me, I have chosen you.” Jn. 15:16
“I am the way, the Truth, and the Life.” Jn. 14:6
Jesus ascends to the right hand of His Father. Mk. 16:19
“I will draw all men to Myself.” Jn. 12:32

Praying with Nature

One of the beautiful things about Easter is that it is spring and all around us there is evidence of new life, God’s creation at work. For your prayer exercise this week we are going to pray with a flower.

Take a flower in your hand.

Just sit with it for a few minutes and become aware that it is a part of God’s creation. As you do this be aware that God is present with you, holding you in His hand as you are holding the flower.

Be aware of the firmness of the stem holding the flower upright. Strong, supportive.

The gentle but strong petals protecting the stamens from harm.

Ask God to present with you in prayer

Now look:

At the stem, what colour is it? Does it have small branches coming off it or leaves?
At the petals, are the same colour? Look closely are there different shades within the petal making the image of one colour?
Inside the flower, what do you see? The intricate detail of creation allowing the flower to recreate itself.

Reflect on how the flower can’t do this alone, it needs bees, wasps and insects to help in this recreation, it is dependent on others to help. The wonder of God’s creation working together to make the world continually beautiful.

Touch

The stem, feel the firmness, the strength. Is it hard or soft?
The petal is it hard or soft. Gently rub your fingers over it. Feel the wonder of God’s creation
Move it gently, feel how it moves imagine it blowing in a gentle breeze

Smell.

Now smell the flower, the perfume of creation.
Is it a pleasant smell?
Does it invoke any memories or thoughts for you?

Imagine what this flower is saying to you, what do you want to say to it?

Sit in God’s presence, be still and listen to what God is saying to you.

After your time of prayer reflect on your prayer, maybe over a cup of tea, using the questions below if they are helpful:

• What is staying with me as I reflect on my prayer?

• What do I want to give thanks for?

• How am I drawn to respond to God?

• Might I write, draw or make something?

Record your thoughts and feelings in your prayer journal.

Creative Prayer

Nature Walk Collage

Take a walk in a park, a wood, beach, or anywhere where we can experience the natural world around us so we can make a collage. We can achieve this in a few different ways:

You could take photos of interesting plants, wildlife or landscapes that you see on your walk.
Using a recording device, make a collection of the sounds you hear along your nature walk e.g. bird sounds, the wind, a river flowing etc.
On this walk collect a few leaves or petals that have fallen to the ground and use them to make a collage. (Please don’t harm anything that is still growing.)
Make a list of all the interesting things you see.
Write a description of your nature walk.
Take some rubbings from some of the leaves, bark and branches that you pass along the way.
Make some sketches or drawings.

When you have finished you collage, spend time with it, looking at it, reflecting on the day spent being creative, and pray :

‘Dear Lord,

We thank you for the wonderful world in which we live. We thank you for the birds, for the trees, for the flowers, for the wildlife and for all the beauty of your wonderful creation. Today, we’re especially grateful for… (list some of the things you’ve seen on your walk.) Help us to never take this world for granted, to remember that it is a home we share and to always show care and consideration for the Earth and for nature in the way we live our lives. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.’

Record your thoughts and feelings in your prayer journal.

Lection Devina

Suggested paragraphs for Easter weeks 3 and 4. Click on the link below to be taken to the relevant Bible Chapter.

Acts 5: 27-32, 40-41 https://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=51&bible_chapter=5

Revelation 7: 9, 14-17 https://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=73&bible_chapter=7

Acts: 4 32-37 https://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=51&bible_chapter=4

Acts 5: 27-33 https://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=51&bible_chapter=5

Record your thoughts and feelings in your prayer journal.

Imaginative Contemplation

Suggested paragraphs for Easter weeks 3 and 4 Click on the link below to be taken to the relevant Bible Chapter.

John 21: 15 – 25 https://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=50&bible_chapter=21

John 6: 1-15 https://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=50&bible_chapter=6