Sunday July 6: There is Good News Today

Practices

• • Following the Rule of St. Benedict, monastics pray seven times a day. This habit of sprinkling prayer throughout one’s day helps maintain one’s conscious contact with the Divine. This week, practice praying throughout the day. You may wish to use an active prayer sentence, the Welcoming Prayer or simply pick a transitional time in your day to take that opportunity to breathe deeply and open your heart. After sinking into silence for a moment, close with prayer. Two ancient prayers are offered below.
    • May the Source of Strength who blessed the ones before us, help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing. Amen
      – Mi Shebeirah, a fragment taken from a Jewish prayer for health and healing
    • Leave me alone with God as much as may be. As the tide draws the waters close upon the shore, make me an island set apart, alone with you, God, holy to you. Then with the turning of the tides, prepare me to carry your presence to the busy world beyond, the world that rushes into me, till the waters come again and fold me back to you. Amen
      – Praying with the Tides, attributed to St. Adrian of Lindisfarne
  • Consider making a “pilgrimage” – perhaps by walking rather than driving to a quiet place not far from where you live or by traveling to a retreat center. You might want to invite a companion to go with you along the way.
  • Jesus sent disciples out in pairs, reminding us to remember the companions we have along the way. As you listen to this song (about 4 minutes), perhaps call to mind the people who have walked with you on your spiritual journey and send them a silent blessing.

• Based on community requests, the Word of the Week team is experimenting with providing a recording of today’s reflection for those who prefer to listen rather than read (or who like to do both). You may listen to today’s recording here (about 13 minutes long). Comments and suggestions are welcome by replying to today’s email.

4. The Word of the Week program is a free spiritual enrichment program of 52 emails per year and 104 live Zoom prayer groups. If you find this program useful for your journey and have not yet donated, please consider donating here. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

If you would like to re-read the full email reflection, you may do so here: https://mailchi.mp/coutreach/2025_word-of-the-week-july6

“Being contemplative is about being aware and awake to God’s presence in the ordinary … It’s about taking a long, loving look at all that is…..” during Lent I participated in Thomas Keating’s THE GIFT OF LIFE, then in June, 30 days of CONSCIOUS AGING, then yesterday the visit of one of the few BEHM cousins I have. My Grandpa Behm left the turmoil of Eastern Europe to find a new home. After 14 years he managed to have 2 sons join him, my dad age 17 and my Uncle John age 15; the others either died in the Great Influenza or were deported to Siberia. Karen’s grandmother  was a cousin to my grandfather. Yesterday’s visit churned up memories of life in a new country, the only life Karen and I have known. Gazing contemplatively at this week’s image going back through many chapters of “walking with…” I have this “felt sense”  of being sent , many versions with many companions, by the One who called Abraham and the generations of people who shared my DNA; the One whom every morning I greet with “Behold I come to do your will.. your commandments, my inheritance, and my joy.” My dreaming time has been very active spilling over into this liminal space before waking. Visio Divina of this image allows me to embrace a “blessed spacious-ness”. My Word of the Week companions bless me along my present path; for this I am grateful.

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