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DEEPENING
SPIRITUALITY OF
THE HEART OF BEING BROTHER
Discipleship
God is with me,
but more,
God is within me, giving me existence.
Let me dwell for a moment on God's life-giving presence
in my body, my mind, my heart and in the whole of my life.
Amen.
Opening Hymn
‘Hear I Am Lord’ or any other appropriate song on discipleship.
Introduction
Reflecting on the scriptures of the Easter season, St.
Ignatius encourages us to consider how Jesus acts towards his followers,
consoling them just as one friend consoles another.
 The
disciples had just been through the worst experience of their lives. Their
leader and their friend, in whom they had put all their hope, had been
unjustly convicted and cruelly put to death. Their hopes and dreams were
shattered. They were confused and afraid. The Risen Jesus comes among them
and says, "Peace be with you." Their faith was not in vain. Their friend
is alive. His consoling presence brings new hope to each one of them.
With us, just as with them, the Risen Christ disregards
our failings, our weakness, our lack of faith. He does not accuse, he does
not criticize. He gently offers consolation, encouragement and love.
After this Jesus revealed himself again to the
disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way.
Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the
sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon
Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go
with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught
nothing.
Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet
the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them,
"Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them,
"Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So
they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity
of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!"
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he
was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples
came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far
from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land,
they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 Jesus
said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon
Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred
and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not
torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the
disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus
came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This
was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he
was raised from the dead.
Pause for Quiet Reflection / Sharing
Response Psalm 118:1-4, 22-27
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever!
Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures for ever."
Let the house of Aaron say, "His steadfast love endures for ever."
Let those who fear the LORD say, "His steadfast love endures for ever."
The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech thee, O LORD! O LORD,
we beseech thee, give us success!
Blessed be he who enters in the name of the LORD!
We bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar!
Glory to You ...
Intentions
Let us pray for
all those who minister in proclaiming the Gospel.
R/ The harvest
is plentiful, O Lord: send us laborers!
You told your
disciples to cast their nets once more into a lifeless sea, hearten all
servants of the Gospel who have grown weary, R/
You cooked a
meal for your disciples besides the sea of Galilee, nourish and sustain
all servants of the Gospel ... R/
You yourself
are the word you sent your disciples to preach, enrich in prayer all
disciples that they may feed your people with the word of life, R/
Other personal
intentions ...
O Lord, through
our Easter celebrations, renew our zeal to speak and live the Gospel,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Closing Prayer HEART SPEAKS TO HEART
We are being led by the Spirit
in many hidden ways to enter
into the life of the Trinity.
When we disclose something
of ourselves to another in
trust and love, we are
sharing in God's revelation
to the beloved Son.
When we listen with loving
attention to another who
speaks of what is deepest in
life, we understand a little
more the Son's listening attention
to Abba.
-----adapted from an unknown author
Closing Hymn
‘The Galilee Song’ or other appropriate song on discipleship. |
