Each weekday, we’re highlighting another fast-paced, entertaining and informative (or, as we like to say ‘enterforming’) episode from CatholicCentral.com. Over 50 episodes free online and each video is less than 10-minutes long. In this episode, hosts Kai and Libby discover Ignatian Meditation.
Sometimes it can be hard to travel to the ancient lands of the Bible and find a way to relate them to everyday life. But God gave us a wonderful imagination, and we can use it.
Catholic Central introduces us to a way of digging into Bible tales and bring them to lives in our minds. You can watch the video below, but if you want all the great online resources that go with it, go to CatholiCentral.com.
As Praying With the Bible: Ignatian Meditation illustrates, the technique called Ignatian Meditation – developed by St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits -- can help readers go deeper into the Bible, using their imaginations to flesh out passages, especially stories in the Gospels. Just don’t get carried away.
Diving Deeper
- Think of your favorite story or historical event. Re-read a synopsis of the story or event. Try to picture yourself within the story. How would you respond if you were there? If it’s an historical event, would you try to change history?
- Try the same as #1 above, this time with a favorite story from the Bible or a biblical story that you know well.
Activity
Listen to the Ignatian guided meditation with Kai and Libby! Ignatian Meditation
Reflection by Father Vince Kuna, C.S.C.
Consider turning to the Gospel reading from Matthew (4:1-11) that traditionally begins the season of Lent. Pray the Ignatian Meditations with this reading, that tells of Jesus venturing into the desert for 40 days and 40 nights (the root for our word “quarantine”). Pay special attention that our Lord chooses social isolation for this time period. He does battle with the Devil alone. The Devil is unsuccessful in his temptations, because Jesus observed the most radical of fasts: choosing to live solely on prayer to the God, Father.
When your financial situation is lean, or your social engagements limited, think how might we see this as an opportunity to scale back on material and social needs and instead focus time and energies on prayer.
