Station fifteen: The resurrection

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

After the Sabbath, and towards dawn on the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to visit the sepulchre...And suddenly, coming to meet them, was Jesus. ‘Greetings,’ he said. And the women came up to him and, clasping his feet, they did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; there they will see me.’

Matthew 28:19-10

After Jesus’ death on the cross the world was dark; it seemed that death had won. However, we know that the darkness was not the end. On the Sunday morning, the women went to the tomb to attend to the body, only to find that it wasn’t there. Jesus later greeted them on the road, risen to new life.

For those refugees who are fortunate to be granted official recognition and protection it must feel that the period of darkness is over and a new life has begun. Like the risen Jesus, they may well bear the wounds of their experiences but they can focus on bright and hopeful future. What emotions would this bring? Are they overwhelmed as the women in the Gospel appear to be when they encounter Jesus after His resurrection?

We pray for those who have finally been recognised as refugees in the countries they have fled to; that as they begin their lives in their new homes, they may be given all they need for a better future. We also pray for those refugees who are able to return to their homelands; that peace and prosperity may be their future, and that all wounds of division may be healed.

I love you, Jesus, my love above all things,

And I repent with my whole heart of having offended you.

Never permit me to separate myself from you again,

Grant that I may love you always, and then do with me what you will.

Station Fifteen: The Resurrection

Station fourteen:Jesus is laid in the tomb

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

It was Preparation day and the Sabbath was beginning to grow light. Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and how the body had been laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the Sabbath day they rested, as the Law required.

Luke 23: 54-56

 

Jesus’s body is laid in the tomb. There is peace and stillness as the earth waits expectantly for the Son of Man to rise again. It is a time of waiting and hope for all creation, but one of uncertainty and despair for Jesus’s friends and followers.

Many forcibly displaced people seek asylum in foreign lands. Though many are in relative safety compared to their homeland or the journey they have just completed, they are still vulnerable and subject to policies and controls which make them destitute or put them into detention. This is a time of agonised waiting, not knowing if they will be recognised as ‘worthy’ of help. They may be allowed to stay and build a new life filled with hope, or they may be returned to their homeland and the danger that awaits them there.

We pray for all those who have sought safety away from their homes and wait for a decision upon their claims. We pray for a spirit of understanding and charity for those who are responsible for taking such decisions. May all who seek asylum be granted the opportunity to start a new life in safety, where they can use their gifts and talent to the benefit of their new lands.

I love you, Jesus, my love above all things,

And I repent with my whole heart of having offended you.

Never permit me to separate myself from you again,

Grant that I may love you always, and then do with me what you will.

Station Fourteen: Jesus is laid in the tomb

Station thirteen: Jesus is taken down from the cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Then there came Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent member of the Council, who himself lived in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God, and he boldly went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate, astonished that he should have died so soon, summoned the centurion and enquired if he had been dead for some time. Having been assured of this by the centurion, he granted the corpse to Joseph who bought a shroud, took Jesus down from the cross

Mark 15: 43-46

 

Jesus’s body is taken down from the cross. Darkness settles around the world. The Son of God has been killed by His own people. He is placed in the arms of His mother, just as He was that first night in the stable. Mary, the mother, cradles her child.

There are so many children caught up in these desperate situations. Many are born in camps away from their home, never knowing any life other than makeshift tents. Others accompany their parents on the dangerous journeys across borders and seas; journeys they may not complete. Some journey alone, leaving them extremely vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Many children are born and raised in the countries where their parents have sought refuge and are not afforded the same rights and opportunities as their peers, despite this being the only home they have ever known.

We pray for all children who are refugees; that they may be kept safe. May they be blessed by being able to have a happy childhood and not be forced into situations which make them grow up too soon.

I love you, Jesus, my love above all things,

And I repent with my whole heart of having offended you.

Never permit me to separate myself from you again,

Grant that I may love you always, and then do with me what you will.

Station Thirteen: Jesus is taken down from the cross

Station twelve:Jesus dies on the cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

It was now about the sixth hour and the sun's light failed, so that darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the Sanctuary was torn right down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice saying, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' With these words he breathed his last.

Luke 23:44-46

This cry echoes through all creation and all time. In Jesus’s death, God has fully united Himself with the human experience.

Experience of death is a central part of the lives of refugees and forcibly displaced people. Loved ones may have died as a result of whatever made them flee. Journeys are dangerous and many die trying to reach safety. Since January 2014, it is estimated over 40,000 men, women and children have died travelling dangerous migratory routes. Each of those was an individual with their own hopes and dreams. Christ unites Himself to each and every one of them in His death on the cross.

We pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of those migrants and forcibly displaced people who have died on their journeys. We especially pray for those who have no one to pray for them. We also pray for those who are missing and whose families and friends are left uncertain of their fate.

I love you, Jesus, my love above all things,

And I repent with my whole heart of having offended you.

Never permit me to separate myself from you again,

Grant that I may love you always, and then do with me what you will.

Station Twelve: Jesus dies on the cross

Station eleven: Jesus is nailed to the cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

It was the third hour when they crucified him. The inscription giving the charge against him read, 'The King of the Jews'. And they crucified two bandits with him, one on his right and one on his left.


Mark 15: 25-27

Jesus is nailed to His cross and crucified between two bandits. He has been tried and falsely sentenced. The lies that have been told about Him determine His fate. His accusers have closed their ears and refuse to listen to Him. He is labelled as a criminal.

The systems and policies that those needing help face are usually rooted in mistrust and unbelief. People must be telling lies, exaggerating their stories, looking for advantages that they don’t deserve. They are scrutinised and examined. They are deemed untrustworthy. They are detained and treated like criminals.


We ask that You who have endured false accusations and maltreatment will be their comfort. We pray that the systems and policies of governments and organisations may be rooted in love and truth, not suspicion and hostility.

I love you, Jesus, my love above all things,


And I repent with my whole heart of having offended you.


Never permit me to separate myself from you again,


Grant that I may love you always, and then do with me what you will.

Station Eleven: Jesus is nailed to the cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

When the soldiers had finished crucifying Jesus they took his clothing and divided it into four shares, one for each soldier. His undergarment was seamless, woven in one piece from neck to hem; so they said to one another, 'Instead of tearing it, let's throw dice to decide who is to have it.' In this way the words of scripture were fulfilled: ‘They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothes.’ That is what the soldiers did.

John 19:23-24

The soldiers now prepare Jesus for His crucifixion. They strip Him of His clothes, and in doing so strip Him of His dignity. They then cast lots to decide who should get what, turning His embarrassment and suffering into a game for their enjoyment.


How often are refugees stripped of their dignity? Respect is often the last thing with which they are treated. They are seen as a problem to be dealt with or an opportunity to be exploited. The emotional and physical toil this has on our refugee brothers and sisters is unquestionable. Have we played our part in ensuring that our society does not treat the stranger with suspicion, hostility and abuse? Do we dignify all people as beloved children of God?

 
We pray for all refugees and forcibly displaced people who are treated with no respect or dignity. We ask that our eyes may be opened, that we see all people as you see them. Help us to break the silence that allows neglect and abuse to continue in our world.

I love you, Jesus, my love above all things,

And I repent with my whole heart of having offended you.

Never permit me to separate myself from you again,

Grant that I may love you always, and then do with me what you will.

Station Ten: Jesus is stripped of his garments

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Blessed is anyone who perseveres when trials come. Such a person is of proven worth and will win the prize of life, the crown that the promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

As Jesus continued his arduous journey to Calvary He falls again under the weight of His cross. Despite the pain and suffering, He rises and begins taking His steps forward once again. Jesus shows His determination and courage to continue amidst ultimate adversity.


Refugees and forcibly displaced people show the most remarkable levels of perseverance and bravery that is possible. In the face of danger, rejection and uncertainty they continue moving forward with hope for the future. Many are firmly rooted by their faith in Christ and take great consolation in uniting themselves with the suffering He endured in His passion.

We pray for all refugees and forcibly displaced people who continue to persevere in the face of adversity. We ask that they may be strengthened in their faith.

I love you, Jesus, my love above all things,

And I repent with my whole heart of having offended you.

Never permit me to separate myself from you again,

Grant that I may love you always, and then do with me what you will.

Station Nine: Jesus falls for a third time

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Large numbers of people followed him, and women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children.

Luke 23:27-28

Jesus is met by the women of Jerusalem who are distressed at seeing His pain. Despite His own agony, Jesus shows compassion upon the women and recognises their vulnerability in the society of their time.

Women are still in vulnerable positions in many places where refugees are forced to flee, with fewer rights than their male counterparts. Women still face disproportionately more poverty, lack equal access to education and are at greater risk of human trafficking. Many are left to raise their children alone with fathers being separated or killed.

We pray for the women who face these ingrained injustices each day. We weep for their oppression and ask for change which respects the strength and the dignity of the women you created.


I love you, Jesus, my love above all things,

And I repent with my whole heart of having offended you.

Never permit me to separate myself from you again,

Grant that I may love you always, and then do with me what you will.

Station Eight: Jesus comforts the women of Jerusalem

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 34:14

Throughout salvation history as told in the scriptures, the issues of sin and the fall of humanity are a constant theme. The various root causes of refugee movements are usually the result of human sinfulness.

 

Persecution, violence and war are so often what forces people to flee their homes in search for safety elsewhere. Many are forced to leave because of the effects of climate change, which makes once fruitful lands barren and causes an increase in natural disasters.

It can be easy to feel hopeless in the face of such seemingly endless evil. The pursuit of peace is a long and difficult road. For those forced to flee it may seem impossible that they will ever return home. However, we believe in the power of forgiveness to ease pain and suffering, bringing solutions to conflict. We believe in the power of good to overcome evil.

 

We pray for those who are the instigators of wastefulness, war, violence and persecution; that their hearts are turned from their evil to good. We pray for the pursuit of peace and the grace of forgiveness and mercy for all.

I love you, Jesus, my love above all things,

And I repent with my whole heart of having offended you.

Never permit me to separate myself from you again,

Grant that I may love you always, and then do with me what you will.

Station Seven: Jesus falls a second time

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome.

Matthew 25:35

 

Tradition has it that St. Veronica reached out to wipe Jesus’s face with a cloth, offering some compassion and respite from the agony of His journey to Calvary and his crucifixion. In response to this act of loving kindness in the midst of the anger of the crowd, Jesus leaves His image upon Veronica’s cloth.

What do I see when I look at the face of a vulnerable refugee or asylum seeker? Do I see a threat, an inconvenience? Or do I see the face of Christ my saviour? Veronica’s small but courageous act is an example for us in how we can serve Christ in others. The power of even the smallest acts of kindness and welcome cannot be underestimated. They are often what reminds the most vulnerable that they are loved.


We pray for the grace to see your face Lord in the faces of all those we encounter. May we live lives of loving service for others, taking courage to act like Veronica did in the face of injustice.


I love you, Jesus, my love above all things,

And I repent with my whole heart of having offended you.

Never permit me to separate myself from you again,

Grant that I may love you always, and then do with me what you will.

Station Six: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Praying the Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross is a traditional way of praying during Lent. We pray this familiar prayer to be with Jesus Christ who walked this journey, carrying the Cross, the instrument of his death, out of love and commitment to us.

We pray it also because we wish to become close to who this Jesus is who loves me and us so deeply. We walk this journey with him to get a glimpse at the heart and mind of Jesus Christ, who is alive today and experiencing the journey to the Cross wherever our sisters and brothers are suffering throughout the world.

We have developed this Stations of the Cross resource to aid your prayer during Lent and Holy Week.

You can use this resource as a Parish Group, as family, or as an individual. Each station begins with a piece from scripture, followed by a reflection, and culminates with a prayer to say together.

We hope you find this resource fruitful.
For more information, please visit https://www.jrsuk.net/

Introduction

St Ignatius recommended the Examen, an ancient Christian prayer, to all Jesuit priests and brothers. The prayer aims to allow you to understand how God works in your life through your thoughts, actions, and feelings.

Music:
The music is by Tom McGuinness, SJ, Programme Director at the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glasgow.  You can find more about his music here: www.mccrimmons.com/product/182/267

Examen Prayer I

This audio guide gives more information on praying the Examen Prayer.

Introduction to the Examen Prayer

This Examen Prayer is specifically designed for use with children of Key Stage 1 and 2 age.

At the end of your day, find a comfortable place, and remind yourself that God is there with you.

Now look back over your day. Were you at home? Were you at school? Were you somewhere else? 

What made you happy today? Did somebody say or do something that made you feel good? Someone in your family, a friend, a teacher or someone else? Did you say or do anything that made you feel good? Was there something that you really enjoyed? Whatever made you feel happy today, thank God for those things now. 

Did anything make you sad today? Maybe something that happened, or that someone said or did? Did you do something that made you feel unhappy? Maybe there is something you want to say sorry for? Whatever made you feel sad or unhappy today, remember that you are precious to God and that nothing ever changes that. 

Now think about your day tomorrow. Is there anything you would like to ask God to help you with, or anything you are worried about, or anything that you need? Talk to God about it now and ask God to be with you through your day. 

Together let’s say the Glory Be.


Examen for Children

This is the seventh reflection commemorating the two hundredth anniversary of the Restoration of the Society of Jesus. A reflection on the life of Gerard Manley Hopkins.  

The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing: O all you works of the Lord, O bless the Lord, To him be highest glory and praise for ever.  Wherever it is I am right now, what works of the Lord can I see?  Perhaps the sky, the clouds?  Perhaps hills or fields, or a horse or a dog, or a tree?  Perhaps it’s just the inside of a bus that I can see?  Perhaps another human being.  Can I imagine all these things, the works of the Lord, praising God, their creator, now?  And can I do the same myself?

Gerard Manley Hopkins was born in 1844 was an English poet and convert from Anglicanism. He developed a love of the arts as a young boy, and continued to write and paint all of his life. When he chose to become a Catholic and then enter the Jesuits he destroyed most of his early poetic works, and for his early years as a Jesuit he stopped writing. Following encouragement from one of his Superiors, Hopkins began to write once more and he developed a poetic technique which he described as ‘sprung rhythm’ which he used to particularly good effect to describe nature. His use of language was innovative, employing ancient as well as dialect words, and even inventing new words. He ministered quietly in various schools and parishes in Britain before being sent as Professor of Greek and Hebrew at the newly-established Catholic University in Dublin. Few of Hopkins contemporaries appreciated his poetic gifts and it was only after his death in 1889 when his friend, Robert Bridges, the Poet Laureate, published a volume of Hopkins work that his genius began to be recognised. He has a plaque in Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey.

The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
    It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
    It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
    And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
    And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;
    There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
    Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs —
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
    World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

The poem, ‘God’s Grandeur’ echoes the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius, especially the Contemplation for Attaining Love’, an ecstatic celebration of God’s dynamic presence and action in the cosmos. Can you think of a time when you have felt especially close to God in a natural setting?

‘Generations have trod, have trod, have trod’. Hopkins’s lines imply a common anxiety among Victorian believers, that the modern age of scientific and industrial progress- ‘our smudge and smell’- has distanced us from a direct communion with nature- ‘nor can foot feel, being shod’- and therefore we are further from God. Does this ring true for you? Are there ways in which your busy life has made you less aware, less sensitive to the ‘dearest freshness’ in things? 
The poem presents us with a beautifully maternal image of the Holy Spirit, ‘brooding’ with ‘warm breast and bright wings’.  What kind of image does this conjure up for you? Does this feminine image help you to grasp the intimacy of God’s love for you? 

Notice the use of the word ‘charged’ in the first line.  The first meaning that presents itself is that of energy and dynamism, like a charge of electricity. But charged can also mean ‘entrusted’, ‘given a mission’. The task of the created world, the reason for its existence, is to bear witness to God’s glory and grandeur. Does this idea attract me? What about me, am I too ‘charged’ with the task of giving God glory? As you listen again, think about the word ‘charged’ in the first line: ‘the world is charged with the grander of God’.

Speak to God now, about what arises from your time of reflection and the emotions this poem has evoked in you. It may be that you feel regret for a lack of awareness, that, like many people, you have not ‘recked his rod’, that is, you been slow to acknowledge God’s majesty. Or perhaps you feel a renewed sense of energy and mission, of being ‘charged’ with carrying out a great endeavor. As you express these feelings to God, can you also ask him to deepen your sense of wonder and delight at his presence. 


Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ - July

Reflections on the Mysteries of the Rosary.

The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary

Reflections on the Mysteries of the Rosary

The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary

An Examen designed for teenagers and young adults.

The Examen is a way to look back over your day to say thank you for the things which have gone well and sorry for the things which have not. By doing it each day, you will become more aware of what God is doing in your life. People who use this prayer often find that their lives just get better.
First start by finding stillness. Allow yourself to relax and just do the minimum it takes to be here. Shut your eyes if it helps. Gently listen to all the sounds around you. Try to capture each one.
Now, what was the best thing which happened today? It might be something small, it might be something big. Remember that moment in your day, see it again, touch it, hear it, smell it or taste it all over again… and whatever that moment was, just thank God for it.
Let that feeling of thankfulness spread to the whole of your day. Ask for a gentle light so you can see what God has been doing in your life.
Now replay everything that happened today in your mind, just as though you are watching a movie. Start from the moment you woke up… what you did with your day… how you spent your free time… the people you were with… what amazed you or what disappointed you…
Where you feel thankful, give thanks to God who gave you that moment…
Where you did not live up to everything you could be, say sorry to God…
Now you have replayed the day in your mind, let those feelings of gratitude and sorrow sink deeper. Speak to God about your day, in the same way you speak to one of your friends.
And finally, what is the one thing which you need to ask from God to strengthen you for tomorrow? Ask him for it now.


Examen for Young Adults

St Ignatius recommended the Examen, an ancient Christian prayer, to all Jesuit priests and brothers. The prayer aims to allow you to understand how God works in your life through your thoughts, actions, and feelings.

Music:
Hear My Prayer, O Lord by Henry Purcell, sung by the Choir of the King's Consort from Essential Purcell also available on The Complete Anthems and Services: 3. Copyright © Hyperion Records. Used with permission. 

Sefauchi's Farewell by Henry Purcell from English Lute Songs, played by Elizabeth Kenny. Copyright © Hyperion Records. Used with permission. 

Examen Prayer II

St Ignatius recommended the Examen, an ancient Christian prayer, to all Jesuit priests and brothers. The prayer aims to allow you to understand how God works in your life through your thoughts, actions, and feelings.

Music:
Interludio: Présence from Inni al Signore by the Comunità di Bose, Italy
Copyright © Edizioni Qiqajon.  Used with permission.

Examen Prayer III

St Ignatius recommended the Examen, an ancient Christian prayer, to all Jesuit priests and brothers. The prayer aims to allow you to understand how God works in your life through your thoughts, actions, and feelings.

Music:
Quietime Prayer: Prayer for Healing by Eric Nordhoff, from Quietime Prayer © 2010 TwoNords Music. Used with Permission.

Examen Prayer IV

Saint Ignatius believed that God could speak to us just as clearly in our imagination as through our thoughts and our memories. This exercise tries to bring the listener into a closer encounter with Jesus.

Music:
The Lord is my Light by Margaret Rizza from Fire of Love
Breath of Love by Suzanne Teng from Enchanted Wind. Used under a Creative Commons non-commerical licence from Magnatune.

Imaginative Contemplation: Jesus and Zacchaeus

A five-day programme of prayer to lead you a little deeper into Ignatian spirituality.

St Ignatius of Loyola, who founded the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 1540, with nine companions, was also the founder of a tradition (or 'school', or approach to prayer) now known as Ignatian spirituality.

Four years ago, running up to the Feast of St Ignatius (31 July), Pray-as-you-go took the form of a five-day "novena" (using the term a little loosely - a novena should be nine days!)  This was a programme of meditations in the Ignatian tradition, with each day building on the previous one, giving the user the opportunity to go a little deeper than is usually possible with the short, daily prayer sessions. 

Way of Ignatius - Part II

Way of Ignatius - Part I

Saint Ignatius believed that God could speak to us just as clearly in our imagination as through our thoughts and our memories. This exercise tries to bring the listener into a closer encounter with Jesus.

Music:
Serenata Triste by Eric Genuis from Fantasias for Violin and Piano. © Eric Genuis. Used with permission.
Free Sound Effects (http://www.freesfx.co.uk). Used under their license agreement.

Imaginative Contemplation: Jesus and the Woman with the haemorrhage

Saint Ignatius believed that God could speak to us just as clearly in our imagination as through our thoughts and our memories. This exercise tries to bring the listener into a closer encounter with Jesus.

Music:
The Cathedral Set- Lo Yisa Goi Kol HaN'shamah from Panta Rhei - Celtic and Mediterranean Music for Harp by Diana Rowan. Used under Creative Commons License via Magnatune.

 

Free Sound Effects (http://www.freesfx.co.uk). Used under their license agreement.

Imaginative Contemplation: The Risen Jesus

St Ignatius recommended the Examen, an ancient Christian prayer, to all Jesuit priests and brothers. The prayer aims to allow you to understand how God works in your life through your thoughts, actions, and feelings.

Music:
Above the Clouds from Enchanted Wind by Suzanne Teng. Used under a Creative Commons license from Magnatune. http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/teng-enchanted?song=1

Examen Prayer V

Saint Ignatius believed that God could speak to us just as clearly in our imagination as through our thoughts and our memories. This exercise tries to bring the listener into a closer encounter with Jesus.

Music:
Allah L'a Ke (trad.) from Heartstrings by Daniel Berkman. Used under Creative Commons License via Magnatune.

Free Sound Effects (www.freesfx.co.uk). Used under their license agreement.

Imaginative Contemplation - Jesus Walks on Water

The second of a series of four podcast reflections on the life of St Ignatius Loyola as seen through The Spiritual Exercises.

Music: Communita di Bose. Used with permission. http://www.monasterodibose.it/index.php/content/section/5/31/lang,en/ 

Martin Luther King proclaimed “I have a dream” – a dream of all people living peacefully together. President Kennedy called on his fellow-citizens to “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”. And Nelson Mandela invited young people to be a part of a “great generation” bringing poverty and disease to an end. How do you feel when you hear invitations like these?

Jesus came to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom of God. Not some kind of fairy tale ideal for when we die;  but rather this world, as well as the next, formed in the way God would want it to be. Take a moment to get in touch with your own sense of how that world would look. What, do you think, is God’s dream for our world like?



Jesus didn’t just talk about the Kingdom of God. As he travelled round Palestine he showed, by the way he lived and by how he treated the different people he met, what this Kingdom could be like. And he asked his friends, the disciples, to live in a similar way, so that those who met them would experience the Kingdom too. What idea of the Kingdom of God might someone who met you today get?

At one point Ignatius of Loyola spent several months confined to bed, recovering from a battle wound. During that time he read, and re-read, lives of Jesus and the saints. (His sister-in-law, who was caring for him, had nothing else available.) He was captivated by the image of God he found there, and decided to shape the rest of his life in response to what he saw. What is there about the life and teaching of Christ that speaks most powerfully to you?

The second part of the Spiritual Exercises invites you to pray with gospel accounts of Christ’s life. At the outset, you meet Jesus as he dreams of re-shaping the world, and invites you to join him in making his dream a reality. As this time prayer draws to a close, take a few moments to respond to this invitation that Jesus offers you, speaking honestly, from your heart.

Session 2 - The Call of the King

Saint Ignatius believed that God could speak to us just as clearly in our imagination as through our thoughts and our memories. This exercise tries to bring the listener into a closer encounter with Jesus.

Music:
Prayer for Healing by Eric Nordhoff from Quietime: Prayer. © Eric Nordhoff. Used with permission.
Free Sound Effects (www.freesfx.co.uk). Used under their license agreement.

Imaginative Contemplation - Jesus & The Healing Of Bartimaeus

Many of our users will be familiar with the traditional Catholic devotion known as the Stations of the Cross, a series of meditations on scenes from the Passion of Jesus, from his sentencing at the hands of Pilate to the laying of his body in the tomb. 

There are fourteen standard stations, which can be found on the walls of just about any Catholic church in the world.  But some variations from this form exist, including one more closely following the scriptures, approved by Pope Benedict in 2007. 

Station 1 - The Arrest of Jesus

St Ignatius recommended the Examen, an ancient Christian prayer, to all Jesuit priests and brothers. The prayer aims to allow you to understand how God works in your life through your thoughts, actions, and feelings.

This Examen can be used everyday but is particularly designed for the end of the working week. 

Music:
Ivory Worship by Steve Sensenig from his album Ivory Worship. To find out more: http://www.pianosteve.com/


Examen Prayer VI - For The End Of The Week

Saint Ignatius believed that God could speak to us just as clearly in our imagination as through our thoughts and our memories. This exercise tries to bring the listener into a closer encounter with Jesus.

Music:
Light of the Heart by Suzanne Teng © Magnatune. Used under Magnatune creative commons license.
Free Sound Effects (www.freesfx.co.uk). Used under their license agreement.

Imaginative Contemplation - Martha & Mary

Do you find it difficult to forgive? In this session, we will examine Jesus' forgiveness on the cross and what that means in our own lives. 
This week's session is based on Chapter 1 of Fr. James Martin's book, 'Seven Last Words' and is used with the kind permission of HarperOne.

Session 1 - "Father, forgive them."

Giving ourselves entirely to God means surrendering to the future God has in store for us. How to you regularly give yourself over to God? 

This week's session is based on Chapter 7 of Fr. James Martin's book, 'Seven Last Words' and is used with the kind permission of HarperOne.

Session 7 - "Father, into your hands I commend my Spirit."

Music used:' Breath of Love' by Suzanne Teng, from 'Enchanted Wind'. Licensed under a by-nc-sa license from Magnatune: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/1.0/legalcode

Welcome to our Lent Retreat 2018 in collaboration with Scared Space. An online retreat is an opportunity to journey with God throughout Lent, wherever you are, whenever you would like.

To help and guide our prayer this year, we are reflecting on what it means to journey into the wilderness. Throughout the Bible, the wilderness is a place of preparation; a place of overcoming temptation; a place that God leads many people to, including Jesus before he began his public ministry. The retreat will give us an opportunity to reflect on moments of wilderness from the Old and New Testaments, and also the desert places in our own lives.

Enchanted Wind

Breath of Love

Music

Music used: 'Laying in Bed' by Borrtex from Untitled Love Story. Used under a creative commons license from Freemusicarchive.org

Isaiah 40:3-5

Session 1: A Place of Preparation

Walking with God (Female Voice)

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