silent meditation

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 – Gifts for the Common Good

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. 3Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Let Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.

4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying close attention to the deep breath.
  • Focus on your spiritual gifts today.
  • What gifts are you using to glorify God and love your neighbor?
  • Where do these gifts live in your body?
  • Do a quick interior scan of your body.
  • Select one spiritual gift that most wants your attention today.
  • What is new about this gift today?
  • What does this gift has to reveal to you today?
  • Is there a new invitation?
  • What is God’s message for you?
  • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
  • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, January 20, 2019, the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11

Mark 7:1-8 Things that come out are what defile

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

1Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, 2they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. 3(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; 4and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) 5So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 7in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ 8You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”

14Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”

21“For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, 22adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying close attention to the deep breath.
  • As you pay attention to the breath, consider the things in the world has ingested that defile God.
  • What does humanity need to do to turn toward God?
  • Return to the breath.
  • Consider the things you have ingested which have defiled God.
  • How might you turn back toward God?
  • God is waiting for you with open arms.
  • Let go of words and actions that defile God.
  • Embrace words and actions that glorify God.
  • Allow these glorious words to define you as a child of God.
  • Allow God’s goodness and glory to arise from within you.
  • Be forgiven in your repentance and go forth in peace to serve God and God’s people with love.
  • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
  • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, September 2, 2018, the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings. (c) 2018 The Rev. Dr. Lil Smith, DASD

Romans 8:26-39 – Nothing can separate us from the love of God

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

Romans 8:26-39

26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

28We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
    • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
    • Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
    • Rien ne peut nous séparer de l’amour de Dieu en Jésus-Christ.
    • Nada puede separarnos del amor de Dios en Cristo Jesús.
  • 沒有什麼可以使我們脫離基督耶穌對上帝的愛
  • Nichts kann uns von der Liebe Gottes in Christus Jesus trennen.
  • 그리스도 예수 안에서 우리를 하나님의 사랑에서 분리시킬 수있는 것은 없습니다.
  •  لا شيء يمكن أن يفصلنا عن محبة الله في المسيح يسوع.
  • Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
  • What is your message from God?
  • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
  • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, July 30, 2017, the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Psalm 128:1-6
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings (c) 2017 The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD

    Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 – You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy

    / Lil Smith / Leave a comment

    Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18

    1The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.

    9When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the LORD your God.

    11You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. 12And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the LORD.

    13You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. 14You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.

    15You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. 16You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the LORD.

    17You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. 18You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

    • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
    • Pay attention to the Breath.  Inhale holiness.  Exhale all that is keeping you from the Holy One.  Continue this breathing exercise as you find freedom in your meditation time today.
    • As you are created in the image of God, how are you holy, with God?
    • As you live on this side of the garden, how are you unholy, without God?
    • Inhale holiness.  Exhale greed.
    • Inhale holiness.  Exhale idolatry.
    • Inhale holiness.  Exhale selfishness.
    • Inhale holiness.  Exhale hatred.
    • Inhale love for your neighbor.  Exhale jealousy.
    • Inhale love for yourself.  Exhale doubt and judgment.
    • Be still and breath deeply the love of God in this place of freedom and love that surrounds you today.
    • What is God’s message for you?
    • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
    • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

    Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, February 19, 2017, the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

    Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
    Psalm 119:33-40
    1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
    Matthew 5:38-48

    If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings (c) 2017 The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD

    Psalm 25:1-10 – Lead me in your truth and teach me

    / Lil Smith / Leave a comment

    Psalm 25:1-10

    1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
    2O my God, in you I trust;
    do not let me be put to shame;
    do not let my enemies exult over me.
    3Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
    let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
    4Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
    teach me your paths.
    5Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all day long.
    6Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love,
    for they have been from of old.
    7Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
    according to your steadfast love remember me,
    for your goodness’ sake, O LORD!
    8Good and upright is the LORD;
    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
    9He leads the humble in what is right,
    and teaches the humble his way.
    10All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

    • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
    • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying close attention to the deep breath.
    • Push back your shoulders, opening your chest.  Lift your chest as high as you can when you inhale.  Feel yourself lifting your soul to God.
    • Continue this exercise opening yourself, lifting your soul to God, and trusting God with your full being.
    • Offer your sins and transgression to God whom you trust with your full being.
    • Feel the forgiveness and love showered upon you.
    • God leads and teaches the humble.
    • For those who are truly sorry, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
    • On what path is God leading you today?
    • Are there temptations on the path?
    • How will God steer you away from temptation?
    • What instruction do you hear?
    • What do you need to let go to follow?
    • What is God’s message for you?
    • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
    • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

    Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, December 2, 2012, the First Sunday of Advent (Year C)

    Jeremiah 33:14-16
    Psalm 25:1-10
    1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
    Luke 21:25-36

    If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD

    Mark 7:1-8 Things that come out are what defile

    / Lil Smith / Leave a comment

    Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

    1Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, 2they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. 3(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; 4and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) 5So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 7in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ 8You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”

    14Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”

    21“For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, 22adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

    • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
    • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying close attention to the deep breath.
    • As you pay attention to the breath, consider the things in the world has ingested that defile God.
    • What does humanity need to do to turn toward God?
    • Return to the breath.
    • Consider the things you have ingested which have defiled God.
    • How might you turn back toward God?
    • God is waiting for you with open arms.
    • Let go of words and actions that defile God.
    • Embrace words and actions that glorify God.
    • Allow these glorious words to define you as a child of God.
    • Allow God’s goodness and glory to arise from within you.
    • Be forgiven in your repentance and go forth in peace to serve God and God’s people with love.
    • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
    • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

    Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday,September 2, 2012, the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

    Song of Solomon 2:8-13
    Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9
    James 1:17-27
    Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

    If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD