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in Ordinary Time The Rock (24th August
2008) THE 7 STEPS
1.
SILENCE
2.
WORSHIP
3.
SCRIPTURE
4.
MEDITATION
5.
BY HEART
6.
INTERCESSION
7.
COVENANT
PRAYER “…Come to him, to that living stone, rejected
by men but in God's sight chosen and precious; and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to
offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter
2:4-5 |
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea
Philippi he put this question to his disciples…‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you
say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son
of the living God’. Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed!
Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in
heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my
Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. Meditation: Try to answer as many questions
as possible
1.
Why did Jesus ask the
disciples about who he was to them?
Didn’t they know who he was?
2.
Is there a difference
between “knowing” someone and “knowing about” someone? Did the disciples know about Jesus or did
they know Jesus?
3.
To know is to love and
to love is to know. Do you agree with
this?
4.
“on this rock, I will build my church”: Who is this ‘rock’? Jesus or Peter? Is the rock a symbol of security or
insecurity?
5.
What is so special
about the church built on this rock?
What assurance did Jesus give?
How long will this church survive?
By Heart: Reflect on this in light of your
daily life situation In the great sea that is Life, the ships of our souls need
anchor. We need certain “anchors” in
Life, definite foundation stones, unchanging rocks to hold us secure when the
storms of the spirit or worldly worries arise. Without fixed anchoring points, humans
drift in uncertainty, struggling to make sense out of Life’s nonsense. Reflect today on the anchoring forces in your
own life.
-
What are the anchors,
the rocks of refuge in your life?
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Is your life
controlling you or is God’s Life empowering you? Are you floating aimlessly searching for
something to tie up to? The confession of Peter is the rock which the Church is built upon,
that is knowing who Jesus is and his relation to the Father (as Son) and to
us (as the Christ). The Church exists
to proclaim who Jesus is. Thus, the
Church is both divine (Jesus as the foundation stone) and human (Peter as the
rock) and we are the living stones of the Church.
-
What have you done for
the brothers and sisters in your Church lately?
Intercession:
1.
For the Benedict XVI, successor of Peter, that he might be strengthened
to be the untiring voice of Christ in our world today
2.
For all of us, that we might anchor our lives on the unchanging love of
Christ and live according his commandments
3.
For all young people, that in the uncertainties that they face everyday,
they might look to Jesus as their rock of refuge and strength Covenant Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, by your suffering, death
and resurrection, you give us new life:
a life filled with joy and purpose; a life only you can give it, for
you are the source of life. Guide us
on our pilgrimage of life, that following you faithfully as your disciples,
we may witness boldly to the world, your love and truth. Enlighten our minds and hearts that your
Word which we read and meditated may take roots in our lives. Help us not to fall into sin and if we do
fall due to our human weakness, bring us back to you for you are the way, the
truth and the life. We also pray for all our brothers and sisters, wherever
they are, who are committed to this prayer, that their faith may be
strengthened, their hope assured and their love fulfilled. In your name we humbly pray. Amen. |
