In this episode I share a powerful spiritual exercise: the 10 steps of praying with the Bible, in particular with the gospels. I am using the principles of contemplation developed by Ignatius of Loyola.
Doing this will give you a profound experience at the feet of Jesus.
Here are the 10 steps for gospel contemplation that I unpack in this episode:
Determine ahead of time the place where you will pray and contemplate on a particular gospel passage. It needs to be a place where you can pray in an uninterrupted way, and where you take notes. So bring a pen and journal, or a digital version of that.
Determine ahead of time how long you will contemplate, is it 30, 45 minutes or 60 minutes? I would recommend at least 45 for this first time.
When you’re starting the exercise. Take the time to slow down. Become still, at rest with yourself and with Jesus. Breathe in deeply and breathe out and become aware of God’s presence with you here and now.
Focus all your attention on Jesus. Then ask Jesus to receive a personal gift from what you are about to read. He has something very personal for you in this moment.
Now focus your attention on the scripture passage at hand. Read the text once, as a kind of exploration. It does not have to be slow just yet, or fast, just read it in one go.
After this first reading, share from your heart your true desires with Jesus. It can be about anything that’s going on in your life right now. What do you want?
Go back to the text. Now you’re going to use your imagination and your senses. Imagine as if you are in the text. Try to use all of your 5 senses. Try to be in the text. What are the sounds you can hear? What does it feel like to be here? What do you see around you? What can you smell or even taste? Explore this a bit further when it comes to Jesus and the other persons in the passage. What’s the look on Jesus’ face? How does Jesus say what He says? How does Jesus do what He does? And lastly, in this imaginative process, which person are you in the text? Take the time for this important imaginative process. Write down what you observe.
Listen to the text without haste. What one word or sentence jumps out to you? What does Jesus speak to you personally? Receive His gift.
Have a conversation around this with Jesus, as if you are in a dialogue with a friend. Asking questions, and listening. Give Jesus the room to speak, without controlling or steering the conversation yourself. Let God surprise you.
Write things down. Write what you have sensed, what God has said, what you have learned, and what you will do with this. Or any feelings, thoughts or revelations you receive from this. Feel free to take the time for this and go back and forth in the scripture passage. It’s a creative process.