Week 8 - I entrust myself to God
Theme
That I may overcome my resistance to surrender myself to God’s loving gaze.
That I may be able to entrust myself to God.
We take a few moments to come home to God in this chapel, His house.
Assume a comfortable yet attentive posture and breathe in and out deeply several times.
With every breath in, you become more and more at home in this place.
With every breath out, you can let go of everything that is outside this chapel.
Song – Mon âme se repose – Taizé (The Paul Leddington Wright Singers)
Mon âme se repose en paix sur Dieu seul: de lui vient mon salut.
Oui, sur Dieu seul mon âme se repose, se repose en paix.
My soul finds peaceful rest in God alone: from Him comes my salvation.
Yes, in the Lord alone my soul rests, rests in peace.
Luke 15:11–24
[11] He [Jesus] said, "There was a man who had two sons. [12] The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the inheritance.' So he divided his property between them. [13] Not long after that, the younger son gathered all he had and set off for a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in a life of debauchery. [14] After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he too began to be in need. [15] He went off and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. [16] He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. [17] Then he came to his senses and said, 'How many of my father's hired workers have bread enough and to spare, while here I am dying of hunger! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired workers.' [20] So he set out and went to his father.
What is that “distant country” for me? In other words, where in my life do I withdraw inwardly and notice that it actually leaves me feeling empty and hungry?
While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. [21] "Father," the son said to him, "I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son." [22] But the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us eat and celebrate, [24] for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." And they began to celebrate.
The son comes to his senses, turns back, and returns to his father. That father is already looking out for his son and receives him with great love. I place myself in this situation and imagine that I am there. I watch the father and the son. What do I notice as I look at them, and what movements does that stir within me?
I reflect on where, or with whom, in my own life I am always received with open arms, no matter what has happened.