STAGE I: Our journey in life, is it a Wisdom journey? 3rd MEETING

STAGE I: Our journey in life, is it a Wisdom journey?

3rd MEETING

TITLE OF THE MEETING: Our journey in life, an invitation to happiness // LET US LOVE

1. Welcome all greet one another; share any news since the last meeting.

link with last session: How did I proceed with my daily review? Was it helpful, in what way?

2. Theme of Meeting: Luke 18, 35 – 43: the blind man on the roadside.

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind

man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

Luke 19, 1-10: greeting of a tax collector, Zacchaeus in Jericho

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So, he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now, I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Two passages which tell us of the desires of Jesus and the way in which He makes them known. Imagine yourself in these two situations by taking the place of the beggar or the rich tax collector.

Before our meeting spend time in silence meditating on how this relates to your life.

Who are the beggars on our roads whose cry I am looking for?

When will we be ready to:

· Cry out ourselves to Jesus?

· Climb up into the sycamore tree to see Jesus better when He passes in my life?

I make a note of my own feelings, emotions.

3. Quiet prayer and reflection

In this meeting with Jesus, we discover joy.

It is the experience of the gift of self, sharing, trust which leads to happiness.

Let us listen to the song Love changes everything

As we listen to it, we can bring to mind a recent experience of this kind for which we want to give thanks for in our hearts. It is a gift to help us go forward on our way, a way of happiness.

Hymn by Montfort: 18 Cries of the Poor

You rich, wake up and hear our most pitiful sobs,

Alas! Come to our aid, for we are desolate.

All of us are Christians, we are all your brothers and sisters

Help us with your riches, answer then our prayers.

God made you important but to be our fathers,

God made you powerful to alleviate our woes.

Yet you enjoy yourselves, always amidst abundance

While leaving us aside, always in dire need.

You are richly clothed and sleep on feather beds,

We are almost naked consumed by lack of food.

Everyone blesses you honours and accepts you

While we are cursed by all, mistreated and despised.

O dear poor of heart, I hear your just complaints

And deeply feel your sorrow, I suffer the same blows.

Have patience for a while, then you will see my anger,

Though I am almighty God I also am your Father.

Þ We finish by saying the prayer Jesus taught us, a prayer of trust, acceptance, sharing which brings us together in the One from whom we receive everything.

4. ‘Going further’ : time to integrate