Contemplative at Home

Contemplative at Home offers guided prayer, Christian meditation and contemplation. This space will help you slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God's love for you today - drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina, with episodes from the Gospels and the Psalms.

Meditation with Psalm 62 07/03/2020

Examen of Lockdown Shelter in Place 06/26/2020

Meditation with Psalm 46 06/19/2020

Meditation on Justice - Micah 6 06/12/2020

Meditation on Justice - Isaiah 58 06/06/2020

Meditation on Justice - Isaiah 58 Dear Friends Whether you are in the US or not, I’m sure that the events of the past two weeks have caught the attention of your mind and heart. Today we meditate with Isaiah 58. God’s people cry out: we fast and You ignore us, what is wrong?! And God replies: your fast has served only yourself… THIS is what I long for… and here our meditation picks up. We use a hybrid text from the NRSV and the Message. If you are a member of the white community, in any nation in the world, I do strongly encourage you to seek out resources to help you better understand the perspective of people of colour. A few resources I’ve found helpful in the American context include: The Liturgists Episode 34 : Black and White : Racism in America (2016) Laura Tremaine’s podcast series Bias: a Black and White Conversation Between Friends (2018) I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown I listened to this on Audible (two years ago and again this week). Next on my to-read list are: So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, How To Be An AntiRacist by Ibram X Kendi, and Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. If you have other authors, voices or books you’d recommend, I’d be interested, please do share in the comments or in our FB community. I’d be particularly interested in listening more deeply to the stories of British people of colour. Much love, dear ones. Be courageous as you lean in. May our attentiveness to this issue be not momentary, but life-long. May our masks be stripped, may the Lord have mercy. Much love. Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer - space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God's love for you today - drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina. For more information and show notes please visit www.contemplativeathome.com or find us on Facebook. All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com. /episode/index/show/contemplativeathome/id/14719625

Meditation with Psalm 27 05/22/2020

Meditation with Psalm 40 05/22/2020

Meditation with Psalm 40 A mindful and meditative prayer session with Psalm 40 Today I offer you in writing a few of my own thoughts on Psalm 40, you may not need them, but one or two may spark something helpful for you as you pray. 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; Where or when have you waited patiently for God… can you see yourself waiting patiently for him in this moment? Does ‘waiting’ or ‘patience’ resonate with you for any reason… negative or positive? he inclined to me and heard my cry. Perhaps you see Jesus turning to the cry of blind Bartimaeus or to find the woman who touched his cloak… can you see the Lord turning to face you now? 2 He drew me up from the desolate pit [Heb: Pit of Tumult] out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. Perhaps you pray these words as thanksgiving for what has been done in you already, ... if you find yourself in the desolate pit of depression or anxiety or fear, or the miry bog of national or international events are heavy on your heart… perhaps they are your cry for help today. 6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Not only does the Lord offer restoration, but intimacy.. there is no need for ritual or jumping through hoops to access the Lord's presence, the Lord's ear is open to you right here, right now. You are invited into deep access of knowing and being known, seeing and being seen. ...How do you respond to this? Are you ready to say “Here I am” ? 7 Then I said, “Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” 6 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” We pray that these deep, restorative encounters with God will be accessible to all who seek him. Where and when does worship of God rise naturally out of your heart and mouth? How does the worship that rises from your heart express itself? ***** Regardless of how you pray... may you be blessed as you do so. Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer - space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God's love for you today - drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina. For more information and show notes please visit www.contemplativeathome.com or find us on Facebook. All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com. /episode/index/show/contemplativeathome/id/14585489

Meditation with Psalm 23 05/15/2020

Awakening Prayer Meditation 05/08/2020

Meditation with Psalm 18 05/01/2020

Meditation with Psalm 16 04/23/2020

Holy Week 2020 - a meditation 04/10/2020

God of Comfort and of Daring - a hymn for meditation 04/03/2020

God of Comfort and of Daring - a hymn for meditation Dear Friends, After last week's episode with Colossians 3:12-17, Tina, who has been offering us Poems for Prayer, sent me a hymn she had written in response to the passage. I found the words of her hymn so very helpful in my devotion this week that, with her permission, I want to share them with you here. I can't thank Tina enough for her faith, her love, her creativity and her generosity. Reading the hymn aloud wasn't really working so I took the slightly ridiculous decision to sing it. My voice is neither strong nor trained, and I don't have access to autotuner so I'm feeling a bit silly and vulnerable about this, and it definitely won't be for everyone!! If you'd rather just read the words here, please do. In whichever way you choose to access these words, may they bless you and draw you more deeply into the Lord's heart. God of Comfort and of Daring - a hymn for Colossians 3:12-17 by Tina Lamb God of comfort and of daring rest and rouse our anxious hearts. God of giving and of sharing bind and heal our broken parts. Let your word dwell richly in us. Show us how your new world starts. When we fear the loss of loved ones; when we cling to what we know; when we fail to let our children freely learn to choose and grow; let your Son live deeply in us, so his new life starts to flow. Clothe us always in compassion, humbleness of heart and mind. Put on love, that lasting fashion, which in harmony will bind all forgivers with forgiven, and the new creation find. Let each end be a beginning; make us thankful for the past; but reveal new openings springing up like gifts that always last. Even as the old is passing changeless love will hold us fast. Every blessing to you, wherever you are, and however you choose to pray. With much love from Lissy. Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer - space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God's love for you today - drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina. For more information and show notes please visit www.contemplativeathome.com or find us on Facebook. All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com. /episode/index/show/contemplativeathome/id/13821059

Clothe Yourselves with Love - a meditation 03/27/2020

Rooted and Grounded in Love - a meditation for uncertain times 03/20/2020

Imaginative Contemplation with Woman at the Well 03/13/2020

Imaginative Contemplation with Nicodemus - bringing questions to the Lord 03/06/2020

Imaginative Contemplation with Nicodemus - bringing questions to the Lord Inspired by Nicodemus, today we imagine ourselves seeking out the Lord, in order to bring him our thoughts and our questions. Today’s meditation is a bit different, and you may prefer to use the text than to use the audio, so I offer a version of the script to you here. John 3 (NRSV) Nicodemus Visits Jesus Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”[b] 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus replies with many words, including these: … 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Nicodemus came out to the Lord because he wanted to chew it all over He was compelled by Jesus but still trying to wrap his head around who Jesus is, and what his teaching means. Take a few minutes to still your body and your mind. How am I - just now? How am I generally in my life just now? What are my responsibilities? How are my key relationships? Does anything feel unsettled in my life or in my mind? Is there one thing that would be particularly helpful to bring to the Lord just now? See yourself – a bit like Nicodemus – seeking Jesus out when there will be a quiet moment (v1-2) Nicodemus said “We know that you are a teacher who comes from God” (v2) Tell Jesus what you know to be true about him just know. Affirm his identity, as you are able, from the bottom of your heart. Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” (v3) Jesus offers an invitation to step more deeply into understanding of God’s kingdom by being re-born, re-made, made new, growing into a new identity or understanding. How do you understand this? Now recall the one thing that you want to bring to the Lord. Tell him about it. Tell him what your questions are (v4) How does he respond? Tell him what is on your heart, and leave space to listen for him to reply What might ‘stepping more deeply into God’s kingdom’ in light of this issue look like? Tell him how you feel stuck, or unsure – feel free to say, as Nicodemus did – that you still don’t fully understand (v9) See him looking at you with love Listen as Jesus says that Gods greatest desire for you is to give you eternal life – a fullness and richness of life which begins here and now – his love for you is so great, he desires wholeness and freedom and abundance of life for you – Jesus is here now as a gift of that love. (v16) Say anything else you wish to say, or simply bask in his love When you are ready, take your leave of the Lord. Meditation written by Lissy Clarke, Contemplative at Home Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer - space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God's love for you today - drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina. For more information and show notes please visit www.contemplativeathome.com or find us on Facebook. All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com. /episode/index/show/contemplativeathome/id/13437953

Imaginative Contemplation with Zacchaeus 02/28/2020

Imaginative Contemplation with Zacchaeus In this 20 minute meditation we will travel in our imaginations to first century Jericho, home to families with long-established wealth, status and power - the priestly families. Zaccheus, also very wealthy but wholly living apart from any devout practices also makes his home in this affluent town. Luke 19 (NRSV) Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” May the story become yours as you pray. Please note, a Zacchaeus meditation by pray-as-you-go has heavily influenced the shape and form of todays meditation. Thank you to pray-as-you-go for their amazing leadership in all things audio and Ignatian prayer. Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer - space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God's love for you today - drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina. For more information and show notes please visit www.contemplativeathome.com or find us on Facebook. All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com. /episode/index/show/contemplativeathome/id/13310282

Imaginitive Contemplation with the Transfiguration 02/21/2020

Imaginitive Contemplation with the Transfiguration A guided meditation with the transfiguration in Matthew 17, Mark 9 and Luke 9. At the pinnacle of his ministry, Jesus takes his closest friends up a very high mountain. Jesus seems to be considering his next steps, seeking wisdom about the way forward and has come to listen to God, to listen to his own faith tradition and spiritual heritage. The topic of the session is Jesus' departure "which he is about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem." Here he has a tete-a-tete with Moses - the great figurehead of the deliverance, the exodus, the release from slavery, and Elijah - the prophet who was taken up to heaven rather than dying a natural death, and who was anticipated to come back and prepare the way for a Moses-like Messiah.** Jesus, about to embark on the next significant expression of his calling, hears the same words he heard at his baptism “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Does he bring Peter, James and John along for their benefit or for his own? Does their company strengthen him, or is he offering them privileged access, to witness his own spiritual process? May you enter the story in your imagination, may the story become more vivid to you, and may it become yours in some way, as you humbly discern your own next steps into the Father's heart of love. **Thank you Sue Rebus for these insights! Sue and I have been teaching a course together this term called Taste and See.. We approach each week with Sue's insightful teaching followed by a contemplative session in the same text. There are a few places left in the next 6-week session beginning Friday 28 Jan at 9:45am. If you live locally, and are interested in finding out more, please do get in touch. Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer - space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God's love for you today - drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina. For more information and show notes please visit www.contemplativeathome.com or find us on Facebook. All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com. /episode/index/show/contemplativeathome/id/13187120

Follow Me 02/14/2020

Imaginative Contemplation with Jesus in the Wilderness 02/07/2020

Imaginative Contemplation - Jesus' Baptism 01/31/2020

Meeting Simeon and Anna 01/24/2020

Meeting Simeon and Anna In this episode we pray with Mary and Joseph as they present Jesus in the Temple, in Luke 2:22-39: "When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem". --Luke 2:22-39 Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer - space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being borne out of God's love for you today - drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina. For more information and show notes please visit www.contemplativeathome.com or find us on Facebook. All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com. /episode/index/show/contemplativeathome/id/12858731

Christmas Meditation for Children 12/23/2019

Advent: Joseph 12/20/2019

Advent: Joseph During Advent, we remember and prepare for the coming of Christ in three ways: firstly, we remember the generations who awaited the birth of Messiah, recorded in the prophecy and longing of the Old Testament. Secondly, we prepare our own hearts for dawning of Christ’s light in new and deeper ways, and thirdly, we look to Christ’s return. Again, advent is a time to be “present to our longing and vulnerable to hope” (Gertrude Mueller Nelson). For personal meditation on that theme, see the Contemplative at Home bonus episode “Advent Meditation: Longing and Hope” In this passage we meet Joseph, heavy and burdened by a difficult decision in painful circumstances. Just as he decides to back away quietly, from deep in his sleep an angel of the Lord encourages him instead to step forward into trust, into light, into his important role of the coming of Emmanuel. Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. If you wish to engage further with this text, I recommend this meditation: Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer - space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God's love for you today - drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina. All episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify and many other podcast platforms. Please do consider leaving a rating or review wherever you listen, as this helps the podcast to become more visible on these platforms. Thank you! For more information and show notes please visit www.contemplativeathome.com or find us on Facebook. All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com. /episode/index/show/contemplativeathome/id/12377303

Advent: John the Baptist 12/13/2019

Advent: John the Baptist During Advent, we remember and prepare for the coming of Christ in three ways: firstly, we remember the generations who awaited the birth of Messiah, recorded in the prophecy and longing of the Old Testament. Secondly, we prepare our own hearts for dawning of Christ’s light in new and deeper ways, and thirdly, we look to Christ’s return. Again, advent is a time to be “present to our longing and vulnerable to hope” (Gertrude Mueller Nelson). For personal meditation on that theme, see last week’s bonus “Advent Meditation: Longing and Hope” Today we pray with Sunday’s lectionary reading from Matthew 11:2-11, where we remember John the Baptist who pointed and waited, whose longing took him to the wilderness, whose passion took him to prison, whose vision prophesied hope and the coming of the Messiah. Matthew 11:2-11: When John was in prison, he heard what the Messiah was doing, and he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Every blessing as you pray. Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer - space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God's love for you today - drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina. For more information and show notes please visit www.contemplativeathome.com or find us on Facebook. All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com. /episode/index/show/contemplativeathome/id/12304199

Advent: The Shoot of Jesse 12/03/2019

Advent: The Shoot of Jesse During Advent, we remember and prepare for the coming of Christ in three ways: firstly, we remember the generations who awaited the birth of Messiah, recorded in the prophecy and longing of the Old Testament. Secondly, we prepare our own hearts for dawning of Christ’s light in new and deeper ways, and thirdly, we look to Christ’s return. Again, advent is a time to be “present to our longing and vulnerable to hope” (Gertrude Mueller Nelson). For personal meditation on that theme, see last week’s bonus “Advent Meditation: Longing and Hope.” Today we pray with Sunday’s lectionary reading from Isaiah 11:1-10, the prophecy of the shoot coming up from the stump of Jesse, and a vision of the peace and righteousness that will bring. A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. For further Ignatian reflection on this passage, I’d encourage you to visit IgnatianSpirituality.com, where you will find a video meditation on Stumme’s painting of this scene, and a written guided meditation. Every blessing as you pray. Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer - space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God's love for you today - drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina. For more information and show notes please visit www.contemplativeathome.com or find us on Facebook. All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com. /episode/index/show/contemplativeathome/id/12264146

Mary's Gratitude 11/29/2019

Advent Meditation on Longing and Hope 11/27/2019

Found Gratitude 11/22/2019

Found Gratitude This November, with a nod to the American Thanksgiving holiday, Contemplative at Home will pray with stories on the theme of Gratitude. In this episode we are with Luke 15:3-10, the shepherd who rejoices over a found sheep and a woman who rejoices for her found coin, stories which point us to the angelic rejoicing when a sinner repents. “Sinner” and “repent” are both slightly loaded words, so I invite you to unpack them a bit… an imperfect creature turning towards healing, growth, wholeness, life... this may take myriad different forms at different times. While you may be moved by any number of things in this text, I bring it to you as a study in gratitude. Perhaps you reflect on what means the most to you, what you would scour every corner to find once again, to how you have felt in the past when something precious returns to you. Perhaps you reflect on your own gratitude, or on the gratitude God feels in response to your journey of healing and growth. We open with a short prayer by Fr Finbarr Lynch : “Take Lord, the little that I offer, the tiny one I am, and give me the all that I hope for, the much that is you” Before moving on to the text: Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Thank you for being here and every blessing as you pray. ** If you listen to Contemplative at Home in a podcast app such as Apple Podcasts or Google Play would you be so kind as to leave a review or rating? That may help others to find us. Thank YOU. ** Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer - space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God's love for you today - drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina. For more information and show notes please visit www.contemplativeathome.com or find us on Facebook. All music by Pete Hatch. petehatch.com. /episode/index/show/contemplativeathome/id/12093044

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