Week 1 - God in me
Week 1 – God in me – 2/9 October 2026
I want to learn to see my life more through the eyes of faith, and discover how God works in me.
Welcome or welcome back to our beautiful Stanislas Chapel. It is good to once again come together, in the silence and stillness, aware of God’s loving gaze upon us.
We begin the meditation with a song and a Bible text. During the half hour meditation, there will be a few times when a brief reflection on the text is given. It is not necessary to follow the whole of the meditation which will be read aloud. You can allow yourself to be guided by something which touches you in the song, in the text or in the reflection questions. It is good to remain in the presence of God and to sense and see what that brings to mind for you.
Breathe a few times calmly in and out and take the time you need to become fully present in this Chapel and in this circle of people. During those calm breaths in and out, become aware of God’s loving presence in you and around you.
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Song: Bless the Lord. Taizé from the CD Laudate Omnes Gentes
Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God’s holy name
Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life
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Spotify Link:
https://open.spotify.com/track/640EoyXdDwKkdLVLIOPmZO?si=3c11d922f3514eb3
YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/axN_yA9yl60?si=N3jGB5LhzMoHlZcE
Text: 1 Samuël 3, 1-10
Now, the boy Samuel was serving the LORD in the presence of Eli. In those days it was rare for the LORD to speak; visions were uncommon. One day, it happened that Eli was lying down in his room. His eyes were beginning to grow dim; he could no longer see. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying in the LORD’s sanctuary, where the ark of God was,
I imagine this intimate night-time scene. Two men: the old man, Eli, whose light is almost extinguished, and the young Samuel whose light has yet to be kindled. The lamp of God which softly flickers in the dark. It has not quite gone out yet. I place myself in this scene and use all my senses to experience what is happening. What do I feel? What do I hear? What can I smell? What do I see?
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Samuel was lying in the LORD’s sanctuary, where the ark of God was, when the LORD called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ He answered, ‘Here I am,’ and he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, as you called me.’ Eli said, ‘I did not call. Go back and lie down.’ So, he went back and lay down. And again, the LORD called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ He got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, as you called me.’ He replied, ‘I did not call, my son; go back and lie down.’ As yet, Samuel had no knowledge of the LORD and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. Again, the LORD called, the third time. He got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, as you called me.’ Eli then understood that the LORD was calling to the child, and he said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if someone calls say, “Speak, LORD; for your servant is listening.” ’
At first neither the young Samuel nor the elderly Eli recognised the Lord’s voice calling Samuel. I look at my life during the last few months. Was there a recurring invitation or longing, such as the call to Samuel?
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So, Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD then came and stood there, calling as he had done before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Samuel answered, ‘Speak, LORD; for your servant is listening.’
I remain in God’s light until the end of this meditation, in the intimate, sacred stillness of this chapel, and I open myself up to the possibility that God might wish to speak to me.
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Song: Bless the Lord
We have reached the end of our meditation. There will be a sharing for those who wish to take part. During the sharing everyone is invited to share briefly what occupied them during the meditation. You may also just listen to what the others have to share if you wish.