7. The Daily Soul
Continuing to celebrate the resurrected Lord in the season of Easter, this edition of The Daily Soul focuses on the discipline of silence in meditation as counselled by Bishop Greg to nourish the spiritual life. In particular, the practice of Christian Meditation is highlighted as an effective practice for all to find God’s grace and peace in Stillness, Silence and Simplicity.
In Silence
Exterior silence can greatly aid in fostering an interior awareness of God’s presence. Jesus, in the Gospel of Luke, “withdrew himself into the wilderness and prayed” (Luke 5:16) and his followers have continued to do the same. St John of the Cross, founder of the Carmelite order and a great master of interior prayer, loved to pray in the mountains. Many would argue that nature greatly enhances one’s appreciation of the divine. Going into nature, let alone mountains, isn’t always possible, particularly with the current COVID-19 restrictions. It is times like these when we can take particular note of the advice, “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matt 6:6).
Our church teachings give us some clarity on the value and importance of silence in prayer. “Contemplative prayer is silence, the ‘symbol of the world to come’ or ‘silent love.’ Words in this kind of prayer are not speeches; they are like kindling that feeds the fire of love. In this silence, unbearable to the ‘outer’ man, the Father speaks to us His incarnate Word, who suffered, died, and rose; in this silence, the Spirit of adoption enables us to share in the prayer of Jesus” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2717).
Meditation is a practice found at the core of all the great religious traditions. In recent times there has been a major recovery of the contemplative dimension of Christian faith and prayer. We can all be encouraged by the widespread implementation of Christian Meditation throughout parish school communities in the Diocese of Lismore.
Christian Meditation
Christian Meditation
This video highlights the benefits of Christian Meditation and provides some simple instructions from Bishop Greg, our secondary students and staff. The continued daily practice of Christian Meditation by our staff and students unites our diocese in a communal experience of ancient prayer.
Patrick Keady, Moderator of the Emmanuel Community in Brisbane and friend of Lismore Diocese, has written a song during his COVID isolation to encourage us to pray.
“There is a 'secret' to be found in being hidden, in being silent, in being alone with only our thoughts and our God, transparent and vulnerable, yet safe and secure, as the saints and mystics discovered long ago. Prayer, rather than a retreat from reality, is a discovery of true reality by 'closing the door' on the barrage of the noise of the world and laying our hearts bare before God”
Pat Keady - 6 April, 2020
General
- The World Community of Christian Meditation (WCCM) website contains a video and simple instructions to assist parents in understanding the Christian Meditation prayer form and the requirements of Stillness, Silence and Simplicity. The content is given by Fr Laurence Freeman, the world director of Christian Meditation.
- This infographic has been designed to assist and remind students of all ages of the simple steps involved in Christian Meditation.
- This is Primrose, a student from St Mary’s Primary Bellingen, explaining Christian Meditation to her mum in the first weeks of blended learning. Her teachers are very proud of her!
- Create a beautiful craft project for your family or classroom which you can hang up at the beginning of Easter and leave up all the way until Pentecost. The fourteen stations of Light are made from sun rays and have a quote about Easter from Saint JPII on the base of the sun. Each of the rays also has a corresponding Scripture verse, so your family or class can look up that story as you talk about each station during the Easter Season.
Primary
ES1/St 1
- What colours make you feel happy? Make your own Resurrection picture or colour this one with those happy colours.
Stage 2
- What do you see in this image? How do the colours tell you about the Story of the Resurrection? Make your own image and share it with someone.
Stage 3
- For hundreds of years, the story of Easter has been celebrated in art. Take a tour of the National Gallery of London and create your own masterpiece.
- Students write imaginary interviews with eyewitnesses.
Secondary
- Adoration of the Eucharist is a prayer form that imitates Mary the Mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and John, the Beloved Disciple, standing at the foot of the cross on Good Friday. Adoring Jesus present in the Eucharist is a highlight for most students who attend the Proclaim Lismore Student Discipleship Events; Shine, Ignite and Lead. The atmosphere of the room always changes and it is undeniable that something divine is present among the students. This Easter Season students are invited to join a community of online prayer, with a live stream from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Click the image above to submit your prayer intentions.
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Proclaim Lismore Staff
All staff in Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Lismore receive The Daily Soul by email. The link in these emails can be forwarded and shared with family and friends. Alternatively, use this form to subscribe as an additional reader to The Daily Soul mailing list.