Christian Meditation

Christian Meditation 

Christian Meditation meetings Wednesday 
Time: 6:30-7:30p.m.
Location: Cathedral Centre Library


History:
Christian Meditation meetings began on September 19, 2012, led and organized by trained parishioners.  The number of participants has gradually increased, with some normal fluctuation, but by June, had seen a definite "committed" number of participants, with more joining. 

From September - June, Christian Meditation meets on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30p.m.  Meetings are facilitated by experienced leaders from the World Community for Christian Meditation.  No experience necessary to join, and it is open to all Christian adults. 

To learn more about World Community for Christian Meditation, visit their website at: http://wccm.org/home


Background:
Meditation is one of the oldest traditions in the Christian faith, both east and west.  Many contemplative men and women's orders continue to incorporate silent meditation into their daily lives as a means of increasing their knowledge of God, his love, and their response.  Examples of great Christians that have helped the Church learn more about this practice include St. Teresa of Avila, Hans Von Balthasar, St. John of the Cross, Thomas Merton, St. Gregory of Sinai, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Frances de Sales, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Padre Pio, and many more. 

Unlike the meditation used in New Age practice, Christian meditation is as the name indicates, Christo-centric.  The Second Vatican Council called for "meditation on the Word of God" for all seminarians.  Meditation can be practiced under various forms, such as meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, Lectio Divina (meditation on the Word of God), and using a word or phrase that points to a particular truth about God's love.

Padre Pio: "The person who meditates and turns his mind to God, who is the mirror of his soul, seeks to know his faults, tries to correct them, moderates his impulses, and puts his conscience in order."

St. Teresa of Avila: "By meditation I mean prolonged reasoning with the understanding, in this way. We begin by thinking of the favor which God bestowed upon us by giving us His only Son; and we do not stop there but proceed to consider the mysteries of His whole glorious life." (Interior Castle)

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church encourages meditation as a form of prayer: "Meditation is above all a quest. The mind seeks to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to adhere and respond to what the Lord is asking" (Catechism section # 2705) and that Christians owe it to themselves to develop the desire to meditate regularly (# 2707). Emphasizing union with God, it states: "Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him" (#2708).