1. Preparation:
Take time to find calm and silence. Adopt a comfortable posture, balanced between tension and relaxation.
Become aware that you pray not only with your heart, but also with your body: your head, face, hands and torso.
Place yourself in the presence of God. Ask for the grace to notice where God is present in your life, and to listen to what He may be saying to you.
2. Opening prayer
3. Reading from Exodus
Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. One day he led the flock across the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. Moses looked and saw that the bush was on fire, yet it was not consumed. So Moses thought, “I must go over and look at this remarkable sight, and see why the bush is not burning up.”
When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to look, God called to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then God said, “Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” He continued, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
4. Question of grace: Where do I feel the burning love of God in my life?
5. Imagination of the biblical scene
6. Meditation points:
a) Moses is going about his everyday work. He notices the burning bush. Something unusual catches his attention: the bush is burning, but it is not consumed. He allows his curiosity to draw him closer and takes a better look.
Is there something in your life that catches your attention or sets something alight within you? A love or a fire that burns without consuming or destroying?
Can you move closer to it, and take time to look more deeply, as Moses does?
b) God calls Moses by name and tells him that the ground on which he is standing is holy. Moses is invited to recognise the presence of God in this place.
Can you imagine God calling you by name?
Where, or what, is the holy ground in your life?
c) Moses responds, “Here I am.” He takes off his sandals and hides his face, recognising that he is standing in the presence of God.
What would you like to say to God about the holy ground in your life?
7. Closing prayer
We are now nearing the end of the meditation. Take a few moments to turn towards God in your heart. You may wish to ask a question, or simply share what you have discovered about the holy ground in your life. Speak to God as you would speak to a good friend, telling Him briefly what you take away from this time of prayer.
After a few minutes, we will bring this meditation to a close by praying the Our Father together.
8. Reflection
Take a moment to reflect how the prayer was. What has touched me? Were there difficulties? Did I experience something of God?