Hello St. Mark’s family and friends,
These are rough and uncertain times for all of us. Consumables are expensive, and nature is going awry. Our country is profoundly divided. There are wars and rumors of wars, and the cold war is on again. We experience almost everything in real-time, giving us little rest from the world. My grandson Ethan used to look at me when a problem had him stumped; he would say, “what to do?” My suggestion, pray.
Last Sunday was the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who founded the Society of Jesus or Jesuits. Ignatius was born in Spain in 1491 and died in 1556. Ignatius promoted what is known as “imaginative contemplation,” or “composition of place.”
Imagination is a gift from God, and God draws us to him through our imaginations. William Barry said, “Trust in the Holy Spirit of God who dwells in our hearts through our imaginations, to reveal the truth of God to us.” (As quoted in Learning to Pray, A Guide for Everyone by James Martin, SJ. p. 354). In the first century Palestine, the story of Jesus spread through oral tradition and imagination. People heard the stories of Jesus, put themselves there, and believed.
There are different ways of praying. Episcopalians think of prayer as not only intentional (as opposed to spontaneous) but formal as well, like the four Daily Offices in the Book of Common Prayer. Imaginative Contemplation is not “formal” prayer, yet it is undoubtedly intentional. This method of prayer requires one to find a quiet place and time, pick a scene from scripture on the life of Jesus, and become one of the characters if one wants. Then turn yourself over to God and allow God to use your imagination to put you “on-site” as any character you choose or watch the scene like a fly on the wall.
In this journey, you can choose to get involved, ask questions, and get answers. It feels a little strange at first, but you will likely become a part of that scene at some point. It takes practice.
Doing this prayerful exercise accelerates your connection with God because you are giving yourself to God. In time you, as I did, will be able to play a part. I have caught myself talking out loud, commenting, “don’t do that!” or “are you nuts” like I am watching a TV show. I have also had experiences of the “mysterium tremendum,” experiencing God as the kind and loving God who is also all-powerful and terrifying, all at once.
All of us need to connect with God. Give yourself ample space and time. Be patient with yourself but give it a try. I recommend the book referenced above. It is a wonderful guide to understanding prayer and, in particular, imaginative contemplation.
Pax Christi,
Br. Michael