Catholic Church Serving West Seattle Washington
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
PARISH
RSVP:
Ritual, Scripture,
Verse,
and Prayer
An Invitation to Pray with the
Scriptures
Guidelines and suggested Format
RSVP offers a simple prayer
and sharing format outlined below. This
can be done with others or alone.
These are suggestions only, and should be
amended to fit the group and the time allowed.
Obviously if children
are present, a candle may not be what is passed as part of the sharing.
Anyone can lead. Leadership
can rotate and should not be seen as someone who “knows” more than others. The leader simply initiates the prayer for
all.
RITUAL: Begin by lighting a candle.
The candle is symbolic of the light of Christ. When we gather, Jesus himself is among us, because he said: “Where two or three have come together in my name, I am there among them.” (Matt 18:20).
Take a quiet moment to let go of the demands of the day, and begin to focus your heart on prayer.
SCRIPTURE:
The scripture is read
slowly three times by the leader with periods of silence between readings. This is an ancient form of prayer known as Lectio Divina, or sacred reading.
The
first reading merely gives the
hearer a chance to hear the words.
The listener, in prayer, asks: What
do these words say?
The
second reading is for deeper
understanding.
The listener, in prayer, asks: What
is God saying to me?
The
third reading is to discern action.
The
listener, in prayer asks: Is there an action God is calling me to
take?
Between each reading,
allow for some moments of silence - so there can be time for reflection.
Reflecting and sharing the VERSE of scripture that relates
to our life:
Sharing our reflection
gives voice to our prayer and not only helps us articulate our faith, but helps
others as well. The questions offered are
suggestions only; if they speak to you, welcome them,
if not, share your own reflections. It
is not necessary to answer every question.
They are intended to assist the reflection process only, not to assume
answers or make comparisons.
Steps for sharing: 1. The first person to share takes the candle and holds it in
their hands.
2.
Share only what you feel comfortable sharing.
It is always acceptable to “pass.”
3.
Listen with prayerful respect to others, and make no comments
nor ask questions as others are sharing.
4.
When the
person sharing is finished, they will place the candle back
in the center of the table so the next person may take it as
they share.
PRAYER:
The group may ask all
to pray in intercession or in thanksgiving for experiences or events that are
happening in our lives:
. . . . . We pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Closing Prayer: Our Father
Week of February 4-10, 2008; First
Sunday of Lent.
RITUAL: Light a candle.
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
All: And also with you.
SCRIPTURE:
Leader: A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew. (Matt. 4: 1-11)
At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached him and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.”
He said in reply, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.”
At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.”
Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
VERSE: Reflection and Sharing:
Leader: The following questions are suggestions only:
1. The temptations most prevalent in our world today are….
2. The Lenten practices I have chosen strengthen me against temptations by….
3. How can I help others to resist temptation?
These are suggestions
only; please share your reflections as they come to you from the sacred Word.
PRAYER:
Leader: We ask you, now, for any prayers of intercession or thanksgiving for events and experiences that are happening in your life for which you want the group to pray.
. . . . . We pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Closing Prayer: Our Father
Other
First
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17; Be merciful O Lord, for we have sinned
Second
