Sunday April 27: Wonders, Doubts, and the Deepening of Faith

To Practice:

• Prayerfully re-read these passages again in the manner of Lectio Divina, reading them aloud to engage more of your senses and feel the vibrations in your body. Gaze at the image. What do you receive for your journey now?

• Describe and ponder your own dance of wonder, doubt, and faith. How have moments of awe or experiences of consolation opened your heart to the Mystery? How have times of spiritual uncertainty or doubt brought you to a recognition of the risen Christ? Consider writing your responses to these questions in your prayer journal or in the community forum.

• If you are in a time of spiritual dryness or doubt, pray the Thomas Merton prayer – available at this link: https://reflections.yale.edu/article/seize-day-vocation-calling-work/merton-prayer.

• It is useful to be reminded of general sharing guidelines for Centering Prayer groups (in-person and online) to ensure the groups are accepting and safe spaces for prayer and community reflection:
  • We accept one another as we are.
  • We share experiences from our lives, so please use “I” language.
  • We share briefly so that everyone who wants to do so has time to share.
  • We listen attentively and without interruption when someone else is speaking.
  • We do not comment in any way on what others share.
  • We pause a few seconds after a person shares before sharing ourselves.
  • We are always free to remain silent.
  • We keep the sharing in the group confidential.

If you wish, you may re-read the full email reflection here: https://mailchi.mp/coutreach/2025_word-of-the-week-april27

Indeed, sometimes an image of God we held earlier in our walk must die – and be mourned – so that a deeper, heartier, more intuitive faith can emerge. This, too, is Pascal mystery.”

As I reflect why this passage resonates so strongly, I realize how my prior images of God have been at first discovered, then embraced, held close and let go as my faith and understanding deepen. I am once again called to explore a new image of God. In this liminal place I know to hold what is true of God’s loving nature as I await the emergence of “a deeper, heartier, more intuitive faith.” <3 linda

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