Becoming What You Admire – Reflecting on Jesus

“Listen to the noise around us” a friend suddenly blurted out as we sat in a Starbucks. “I need to find a few minutes of silence” in my life. This booklet is an invitation to that very idea.

Find 10 minutes to create silence and try four simple steps to experiencing God in the silence – add one step each day and create a practice for moments when you long for silence.

“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4: 8 NRSV)

In the past, I’ve heard these words from the Apostle Paul as a burden rather than a simple encouragement for better vision that nurtures my true humanity at its best. I’m inviting you to take 10 minutes on four occasions to explore “imitative” prayer in this positive spirit. 

St. Francis’ influential prayer companion was a woman named Clare. Her passion to know Jesus deeply led her to what she called “Imitative Prayer”.

Clare focused her desire to imitate Jesus on the crucifixion stories. The mystery and accessibility of God in Jesus captured her, particularly his humility in his arrest, trial and execution.

GAZE what do we see, hear experience? Quietly and undistracted we look at one we love.

CONSIDER the character and love of God in Jesus Christ. How am I drawn to his ways? What do I notice about Jesus in this story?

CONTEMPLATE where does the Jesus of this story connect with my life now? How am I challenged and encouraged by his humble and sacrificial love?

IMITATE “We become what we love, and who we love shapes what we become”. Let what I have seen shape who I become.