Wednesday – imaginative Contemplation
“Come and see,” said Jesus… … and the disciples saw. John 1:39 John 20:30
In this method of prayer, we enter into a scripture passage by way of our imagination.
By letting our imagination run free, we are able to re-live the events of Jesus’ life, to be present as they unfold, and to participate in what happens. We can even be present and participate as events unfold in the stories Jesus told. We can also re-live other events recounted in scripture.
As you meet with Jesus in the gospel stories and in the events recounted in scripture, talk with Jesus, enter into dialogue, have a heart-to-heart conversation.
BE THERE with him and for him WANT HIM hunger for him LISTEN to him LET HIM be for you what he wants to be RESPOND to him.
“The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.”
John 14:26
+ Spend a little time coming to a relaxed attentiveness and to an awareness of God’s loving presence.
+ Imagine the event is happening now and see it unfold before you. If at first you find this difficult, imagine you are telling the story to a small child, making it as vivid as possible.
+ Through imagination enter the scene or the story, as if you were really there – trust the Spirit who is leading you.
+ You may ‘see’ the place, the people, the events – or you might sense yourself there, not so much through pictorial images as through feelings and awareness.
+ Use your senses. Look around you, listen to sounds, use touch, taste, smell…
+ You may find yourself becoming a central character in the scene, or you may be a bystander. You may find yourself changing role from time to time.
+ Watch what is happening, listen to what is said. Talk with the people there, talk with Jesus.
+ Let yourself ‘wander’ in the scene, feeling whatever, you feel, relating to the people there, allowing your own life experience to mingle.
+ Your imagination may picture events unfolding differently than in the scriptures. This is okay. Let the Spirit, working through your imagination, take you where it will.
+ At the end of the reflection time spend a few minutes being with Jesus (or God, or the Spirit) – just as you would with a good friend. Sometimes talking, sometimes listening, sometimes simply being together in silence. Let a conversation develop. Speak from the heart, simply and honestly.
Some Scripture Passages for Imaginative Contemplation
Jesus Praying
Luke 3:21-22 Jesus is baptised
Luke 9:18-21 The Transfiguration
Luke 22:39-46 Jesus prays in his agony.
Forgiveness
Luke 7:36-50 A sinful woman washes the feet of Jesus.
John 8:3-11 An adulterous woman about to be stoned.
Luke 19:1-10 Jesus calls Zacchaeus
Healing
Mark 1:40-45 Cure of a leper
Mark 2:1-12 The cure and forgiveness of a paralytic
Mark 3:1-6 Curing of a man with a withered hand.
Mark 5:1-20 The Gerasene demoniac
Mark 10:46-52 The cure of blind Bartimaeus
John 5:1-18 Curing the man at the pool.
Compassion
Luke 10:25-37 The good Samaritan
Luke 15:11-32 The story of two sons
Trust
Matthew 14:22-33 Walking on the water.
Mark 4:35-41 Calming of the storm
Luke 1:26-38 Annunciation to Mary
Luke 21:1-4 The widow’s mite