The Gospels often refer to Jesus’ mission as, “He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and illness among the people” (Mt 4:23; see also Mt 24:14; Lk 4:18; 7:22; 20:1)[1]. What is the good news? One way of referring to the “good news”, is to take it as the compendium of the teachings of Jesus. In this sense, the Gospels are the good news. At another level the news about the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus could be proclaimed as the good news. However, at a deeper level, Jesus himself is the Good News. Therefore, embracing the Good News just means experiencing Jesus himself.
The interesting thing about the Gospel narratives is that, as I came to discover, there is an underlying pattern in these encounters with Jesus. It is this pattern that […]
Spirituality
Spiritual Exercises
A Prayer…
Life of my Life, I shall ever try to keep my body pure, knowing that thy living touch is upon all my limbs.
I shall ever try to keep all untruths out from my thoughts, knowing that thou art that truth which has kindled the light of reason in my mind.
I shall ever try to drive all evils away from my heart and keep my love in flower, knowing that thou hast thy seat in the inmost shrine of my heart.
And it shall be my endeavour to reveal thee in my actions, knowing it is thy power gives me strength to act.
R. Tagore, Gitanjali.
Christian Mindfulness Training – 1 June, Nairobi
What is it? The word ‘mindfulness’ is increasingly being used to refer to a whole range of meditation techniques. Several research findings have shown that meditation facilitates better physical, psychological and spiritual health. God-centred meditation has untold spiritual benefits. It opens up the person for an experience of God. This one-day training is meant to train the participant in Christian Mindfulness practices.
Specific contents: (1) Learn ‘Jesus Prayer’ (an ancient Christian Contemplative Practice) in 7 steps. (2) Learn how to journal – as a means to deal with your emotions and to grow spiritually. (3) Take a Labyrinth Walk through a prayer garden at DBYES getting in touch with yourself, God, and
Where? Don Bosco Youth Educational Services (DBYES); On Dagoretti Road (Between Karen Town and Dagoretti Market)
When? On 1 June 2011 (Madaraka Day). From 8.30am […]
More Christian Mindfulness Training
Nairobi, 27 April 2011
Today 21 novices and postulants of the Salesian Sisters (Institute of Daughters of Mary Help of Christians) were trained in a one day training in Christian Mindfulness. This training basically focused on the following topics:
1. Naming one’s feeling: often we are not comfortable in writing about feelings perhaps we lack sufficient vocabulary to describe them.
2. Mindful Journalling: from mere description of events to processing of experience. In the processing of experience these questions need to be answered : How I feel when remember and write about the event? What inner wisdom can I draw from that experience? What is God trying to tell me through this experience (even through my feelings how is God trying to accompany me towards Himself)?
3. Christian Contemplative Practice: Jesus Prayer. The novices were taken through five steps of the Jesus […]
The Resurrection – A meditation
I imagine that I am a seed:
a corn, or a bean, or a grain of paddy (rice).
I am buried beneath the soft soil.
I zoom-in to see a magnified image of myself under the soil.
I am surrounded by the grains of sand – the lid of the tomb.
I am embraced by Mother Earth.
It is dark.
It is quiet.
There is some moisture and plenty of warmth.
The seed is apparently dead, at least for now.
Yet, there is so much fecundity around.
Suddenly…
I see in slow motion how the seed begins to swell.
It sheds itself of its coat.
The cotyledons effortlessly split.
And gently from the core of the seed there is a movement of life.
New life.
A tender root germinates as if the seed wants to stand on its feet.
Then the seed rests to gather renewed strength.
Gradually a determined shoot springs up pushing aside the grains of […]