Blog

As a Religious Education Teacher, you are expected to know a lot about the person of Jesus Christ. Who is He? What did He teach? What did His life look like? The list goes on. For today, we thought we could invite you to take a step back from the Junior and Leaving Cert Jesus. Not needing to worry about curriculums or lesson plans that have a clearly defined image of Him, rather consider this: if it’s true that the Word of God is alive and active, what is the Living God saying to you, personally, through His Word?

Biblical Meditation 101

There are many ways to meditate on Scripture – all of which are used as a means to more personally encounter God and who He is to us.

Today, we want to take you through a simple method that can help you experience Jesus from a fresh, not-so-academic, perspective.

It will be drawn from the widely used Ignatian-style meditation. St. Ignatius (who developed this format) was something of a meditative master, who crafted profound spiritual prayer exercises that invite individuals to get to know God more personally through imagination, reflection, and interior listening.

Four Steps:

1. Preparation:
   • Grab your Bible and choose a passage! (We already have one below, if that’s helpful)
   • Invite the Holy Spirit to come. This is as simple as saying “Come, Holy Spirit”.
   • Take a moment to become aware that God is here with you. He sees you and loves you.
   • Ask God for what you hope to receive in this time of prayer, E.g. “I want to know You more, Jesus”, or, “I want to hear what You are saying to me personally in this passage”

2. Read the Scripture
   • Read the passage a few times. Familiarise yourself with the scene and what is happening.
   • Slow down. After getting a sense of the context, read it again a few times again – slower, more thoughtfully.
   • Note (mentally or on paper) any words or sentences that stand out or particularly resonate with you.

3. Engage Your Senses
   • See –  What is Jesus wearing? What does His face look like when He is speaking? Who is there? Where is it taking place? Is it indoors or outdoors? Are you in the scene too? Who else is there?
   • Hear – Is Jesus the only one talking? What does His voice sound like? What way are the words being said? Is there any background noise? Do any of the voices or noises sound familiar?
   • Taste – Are you sitting at a meal? What are you eating? Does it remind you of anything?  Are you outside where there is a lot of dust in the air? Are you beside the sea? Is there a salty taste from it?
   • Smell – Do you recognise any scents? Can you smell flowers or incense? Is there a familiar smell? Is there a scent of something you don’t recognise?
   • Touch – Are you holding anything? What do your surroundings feel like? Has Jesus put a comforting hand on your shoulder?  What does that feel like? Are you walking or sitting or standing? What can you feel under your feet?

These questions are just prompts. Feel free to let your own senses and imagination lead you instead, as God may want you to experience something else that isn’t listed there!

4. Speak with God about what is happening.
   •  Talk to God about what you have found in this Gospel, but also what is happening within you. Whether it’s lots of things arising or nothing, talk to Him. Be open and honest.
   • Take some minutes to listen to God. Letting yourself sit in silence. Remember that God loves you and wants you to hear His voice, you don’t have to strive. He created you to hear Him!
   • What can you practically apply to your own life from  what you have received in this time of prayer? E.g. I saw Jesus inviting me to physically place my cares in His hands. At the end of each day, I will prayerfully go through the worries of that day and imagine myself putting them into Jesus’ hands.
   • To end this time of prayer, take one minute to sit and be still. This is a time of placing yourself in God’s loving gaze and receiving it. You don’t have to see or feel anything here, but just “Be still and know” that He is God and He loves you. (Psalm 46:10).

The Scripture we chose is Matthew 11:25-30, but you can apply this method to any piece of Scripture! (I personally find it most helpful for the Gospels). This could be a handy resource for your students in the classroom too, as all that is needed is the Gospel passage and a little bit of guidance.

The Father Revealed in the Son (Matthew 11: 25-30 NIV)

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Other Gospel Passages to Pray With:

• Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world…”
• John 10: 11-18 “I am the Good Shepherd…”
• Matthew 25: 14-30 The Parable of the Talents
• Mark 14: 3-9 The Woman Pouring Perfume on Jesus’ Feet
• Luke 19: 1-10 Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

SAOL

Our website SAOL by An Tobar Nua Retreats offers engaging video series, lesson plans, and discussion questions designed for the Junior and Leaving Certificate RE curriculums. From personal development tools to faith-informed educational content, SAOL supports teachers and students alike! Make sure you look at the Teachers Resource Document for loads of activities (some not unlike this one) you can incorporate into your class too!