I want to express how vital it is to me to receive The Word of The Week each week.

It enables me to remain connected to the mainline churches while strengthening my contemplative practice and perspective. I use a portion of the scripture passages and portions of the reflections or meditations with our Centering prayer group each week.

Centering prayer, Thomas’ teaching, and this community have enabled me to reconnect and re-root myself with the faith of my youth and to share it with others.

I am so grateful.

Frank Pendola

This week’s reflections made me aware of what a treasure it is that we have a practice that bonds us.

Having a companion who can help with discernment by listening and accompanying rather than imposing their opinion is a rare and precious thing. I have found this in our community. If my discernment had remained a solo activity, I would still be talking to myself and calling it prayer.

Thank You for The Word of The Week.

In Gratitude,

Frank Pendola

 

 

I find it difficult to put into words what these reflections and meditations have come to mean to me each week.It is so important to me that we reflect on the same scriptures that I  hear each week in my little hometown parish.

They help me move from living as an obsequious, fearful servant of THE ALL POWERFUL CHRIST THE KING to becoming an intimate friend of CHRIST THE COMPASSIONATE HEALER AND PRINCE OF PEACE.

Thank You.

Frank Pendola

 

 

“Jesus…..gave them authority over unclean spirits.”

The unclean spirits cannot endure the persistent, unrelenting love and compassion of Christ.

The loving Presence that drives them out heals me, strengthens me, until I am whole again.

Frank Pendola

I notice that after reading the Gospel account of the Calming of the sea, we move into meditating on the passage.

We quote from Krishnamurti, an Indian philosopher and from Heschel, a rabbi and Jewish theologian.We are engaged in Interspiritual dialogue.

Then Thomas reminds us that in Centering prayer we are gradually evolving toward a more mature communion that is deeper than conversation with God; beyond thinking about God; beyond particular acts…. a state where we may simply wait upon God in loving attention.

I come away with this : Our brilliant interpretations, our elegant theologies, are wonderful and neccessary stepping stones by which we may enter into the healing Presence. But if we fall in love with our own words and thoughts, they become a hindrance.

( And Yes, I may do that very thing here with my sharing! So.. God help me to do my sharing, then shut up and return to Listening.)

As Always, thanks to all who bring us the Word of The week.

Frank Pendola

After spending decades as a music minister in a community without any real access to contemplative spirituality , the Teachings from The Mystery of Christ have enabled me to fill in the gaps , so to speak. The practice of Liturgy and The Eucharist had become stagnant for me.

Thomas’s reflection on The Ascension this week in “Word Of The Week” is a perfect example.

I feel as though I’d been drawing a lot of breath in a very closed and stuffy space for a very long time. The Practice of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, and sound contemplative teaching like this, have enabled me to breathe in some fresh air! Someone opened a window! And what do you know… the words and symbols, the practice of Eucharist, are now part of an awakened , renewed, ever deepening Faith.

I am grateful for every breath.

Frank Pendola

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas’s words from The Human Condition hit home for me.

I am reminded that this journey takes us “EVER DEEPER!”

When I begin to take pride in my “progress”, another challenge, another opportunity for growth comes along and I see myself and my attitude reflected back to me through another- and I am humbled …again.

These meditations on the Word are so helpful- especially on Sunday.

I go to the Liturgy with the ear of my heart a little more open.

Frank Pendola

Listening in on these beautiful and insightful dialogues makes me realize that whenever we sit together in that Great Liturgy of shared Silence we grow ever deeper into the Heart and Mind and Love of Christ. We cannot do this in our separate little selves. We grow stronger together.

Thank You foe The Word of The Week.

Frank Pendola

 

 

That we can BEGIN to share in the embrace that Jesus knew, that Christ always knew, is truly the unending miracle of Divine Love. Our Ressurections are unfolding as we sit, and read, and reflect and rest and Go Out and Live!

The Words from the Cloud of Unknowing fill my mind AND heart.

Thank You for The Word of The Week .

Frank Pendola

I noticed in today’s reflection on Guideline # 35 that where the original statement in OMOH read ” as God manifests HIMSELF in our lives; we now say ” the acceptance of God, as God manifests GODSELF in our lives.

If I’m reading it right, this evokes for me a deeper, mutual experience. We are beginning to unite with God,; we are no longer separate. The word GODSELF triggered some deep reflection, pondering.The path of Centering prayer goes EVER DEEPER!

Frank Pendola

 

 

 

 

 

Recently I have been journaling again. This led me to the practice of “Lectio On Life”. ( The Transforming Power– of Lectio Divina- Maria Tasto). Praying and reflecting on an incident from my life helped me to strengthen my practice of praying with scripture AND bringing it into my life; my own particular circumstances.

In doing this I became more aware that my spiritual community here gives me guidance toward a more mature, more skillful practice. On my own, I would  have a very strong tendency to remain in the comfort zone of my own little cage.

Thanks to all who make this Word of The Week possible.

Peace,

Frank Pendola

I so love that our Contemplative Outreach community is acknowledging and using the insights and wisdom of the Center for Acton and Contemplation community. ( The meditation from 3/10/2020).

This tells me that real UNITY is actually unfolding among many many seekers and contemplative practitioners.

How wonderful!

Frank Pendola

CO of Ct.

 

I notice as I persevere in practice that more and more freedom opens up before me.In Thomas’ writing on the Rosary he suggests experimenting with the Rosary…”  in  your own way, allowing what flows up from your heart before or after your Centering practice to be your guide.”

I see that only I myself in private prayer, or my prayer in secret, can do that “allowing.”

I feel this way about my private practice of Lectio Divina.I find that I want to the reading, reflecting, responding and resting in scripture before centering. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised that I’ve returned to journaling after Lectio and Centering.

Thomas reminds us here that ” moving beyond vocal prayers and beyond reflection when you feel the attraction to be still is the path to Contemplation.In my personal, private prayer only I can decide to feel and respond to that attraction, and I am free to do that!

I am so grateful for Thomas’ teaching and his great respect for our individual uniqueness, our personal choice and freedom in prayer. It is so refreshing!

Peace,

Frank Pendola

This week I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes by Thomas : “In Christ there is perfect Unity and Infinite Diversity.” This week’s Word of The Week contained so many varied voices that I’d encountered through friends on the Journey.

First, a close friend referred me to Anthony De Mello nearly 40 years ago when my searching for answers was leading me away from the church that I grew up in; One of my friends that faithfully attends our Centering prayer group has a deep appreciation of the poetry of Mary Oliver: Another dear friend who has worked tirelessly in the very demanding Peace and Justice ministry referred me to Fr. Greg Boyle and his work; my mentor at Contemplative Outreach referred me to Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations several years ago and this became a daily part of my practice.

What strikes me this week is  the diversity of voices presented! As a musician and “child of the sixties”, I am part of a restless generation that was eager to experiment with new and exciting paths of spiritual awareness and decide that the  faith I grew up in was obsolete! I learned and experienced much that was good but it was a dizzying and turbulent ride.

Through the practice of Centering prayer I find myself here today. These meditations, reflections and practices help me to integrate my experience AND to see with new eyes and to hear with new ears the treasures of the faith that was passed on to me. I am so grateful for resources like “The Word of the Week”. It helps me to stay on the path.

Frank Pendola

Westerly, R.I.

As  “traditional” Catholic, I have found that Thomas’ Mystery of Christ has been enormously helpful for me in the task of moving through my childish faith and practice to an ever deepening and more mature one.

Frank Pendola

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