Catholic Church Serving West Seattle Washington
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
PARISH
RSVP:
Ritual, Scripture,
Verse,
and Prayer
An Invitation to Pray with the
Scriptures:
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
25, 2008 Fourth
Sunday of Lent
Leader (Begin by lighting a candle): Take a quiet moment to let go of the demands of the day, and begin to focus your heart on prayer.
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.
Leader: A reading from the Gospel according to John (John 9:1,6-8,13-17,34-38,L31A
As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam”-which means Sent-. So he went and washed, and came back able to see.
His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is.” But others said, “No he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.”
They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a Sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.
When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.”
He said, “I do believe, Lord.” And he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”
Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”
Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin, but now you are saying, “We see,” so your sin remains.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection and Sharing:
Leader: Please consider the following suggested sharing areas:
1. What are some ways in which I am “blind” to the Light of the World”?
2. Has there been a time or circumstance in my life where Jesus came to me in the midst of adversity as He came to the blind man?
3. How do I handle challenges to my faith experience from those who are hostile to the message of Jesus?
These are suggestions
only; You may share your reflection on one of them or share
other reflections you have on the gospel.
When you share, take the candle and hold it in your hands. Share only what you feel comfortable
sharing. It is always acceptable to
“pass.” Listen with prayerful respect to
others, and make no comments nor ask questions as others are sharing. When your sharing is
finished, place the candle back in the center of the table so the next person
may take it as they share.
Intercessory
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 23:1-3a, 3b-4,5,6
Second
