‘Prayerful Presence’
“I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.” Psalm 143:5
First Reading: Suzanne
Adapted from the writing of Gilles Donada ‘Finding God in the Present Moment’
Being present to God and others involves a ‘true art of living’. It is a personal experience based on asceticism, deep listening to oneself and others, and an act of faith towards the Creator who is always present to us. Believers, therapists, artists, and philosophers testify to this.
To connect to the present moment, creative writer Éric de Rus engages in a form of asceticism that applies to his thoughts. It involves acceptance, to ‘strip bare the bark’ of one's judgments, one's ready-made ‘representations’, acknowledging one's ‘limits’ and making an act of faith to lay down arms to enter ‘friendship with life’.
The present moment is the narrow gate into the realm of Divine possibilities … The song of a bird or the fluttering of a leaf are enough to touch harmony that resists chaos and the cacophony of life … For Éric de Rus it is Christ who holds the keys to the present moment: "Because Jesus precedes me and is my light, I can dare, following Him to enter into the thickness of the naked present and open myself up."
Volunteer Reader:
The word ‘present’ has multiple meanings signifying both a gift and being attentive to others by making oneself present. Staying anchored in the present is not natural and Father Philippe Kearney, a native of Ireland living in the French Diocese of Beauvais, speaks of this as a ‘battle’. He sums up his personal spiritual challenge by saying, "I often found myself caught up in worries of the past or projecting into the future. I struggled to be fully attentive to myself, others, and God.” Father Kearney aspires to experience an authentic encounter with others and God by “Being present to God, present in the present moment.” This is the motto that he chose for his ordination when he was 29 years old that continues to this day.
Father Kearney sets aside daily practice as a time of prayer. It has become a journey of learning and growth. To open the ‘gates’ of his five senses he especially pays attention to the earth. He said, “When we embrace these moments of prayerful presence, we can see Heaven open up … This is the Gospel of Creation that Pope Francis talks about.” Over time Father Kearney has found authentic encounters are possible, when being “fully attentive to myself, others, and all of God’s creation.”
Song: Be Still And Know - Song by Shaina Knoll
Second Reading: ‘Prayerful Silence’ Reflection by Sharon Beneteau
While sitting in my backyard resting my arms on my chair, closing my eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face I become aware of something moving on the upper part of my hand. Looking down, I noticed a monarch butterfly slowly walking along.
In wonderment I thought to myself: You came so silently, no loud announcement, no clapping or cheering, just gentleness and calm. You landed so softly, no pain, no anxiety, no judgment, no guilt, no embarrassment.
What gratitude grew in my heart as I experienced your gentleness, your tenderness, your beauty, and your fearlessness.
Without a sound you flew off leaving my heart filled with the satisfaction that I have experienced love and compassion.
Third Reading: ‘Prayerful Action’ Reflection by Kathy Worotny
When life gets difficult, a hopeful way to look at my limitations helps me draw on the God given gift of inner resilience that we are all born with. Pausing to go inward, I can find the healing energy of Christ’s light to see beyond barriers that exist in the darkness of my own fears.
As a brain injury survivor, I need to quiet my misgivings and give an honest effort in everything I do.
Art classes help me to be present so I can tap into my inner creativity. It is energizing and lifts me up, so I never want to miss it. One day we were asked to cut coloured paper into small pieces to create a mosaic picture and I had a hard time with eye-hand coordination. Frustrating hopelessness and anxiety started to overwhelm me. When I was just about to quit, the art teacher came over with a suggestion to fill in the outline with crayons and markers.
A simple adjustment came my way that at the time I never would have considered. I listened … and when I was done, I felt a sense of joy as I looked down at my unique mosaic. Each time I am successful, I am even more hopeful things will get better. If I fail, I know that there will be another way to get things done. Leaning into this prayerful moment calmed the turbulence and helped build up my faith, compassion, and empathy for myself so I can carry on.
Pause: ‘Silent Intentions’
Closing: Group Sharing – Scripture is filled with examples of Jesus’ prayerful presence. As the modern readings suggest, ‘prayerful presence’ takes on many forms. Please consider sharing a time when you experienced Christ’s light shining through.
Resources:
This year, one of the themes for the month of May is Mental Health Awareness:
Teachers College, Columbia University. (2023, Apr 3). Spirituality and Mental Health
Donata, G. (n.d.) Finding God in the Present Moment. https://international.la-croix.com/pray/finding-god-in-the-present-moment
McDonnell, C. (2021, Jul 2). Beads of Prayer. LaCroix International. https://international.la-croix.com/news/religion/beads-of-prayer/14582
Worotny, K. & De Froy, S. (2023). Just Watch Me. Windsor, ON: Walkerville Publishing. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/192759135X
Song: Be Still And Know - by Shaina Knoll and video by MT Streck
Note – Gilles Donada’s article was previously shared in the ARCWP chat by:
JENNIFER MARCUS <jennifermarcus4904@comcast.net>
Date: Sat, Apr 20, 2024 at 7:40 PM
Subject: [ARCWPChat] Finding God in the present moment
