Newton Stewart, Wigtown and Whithorn RC Churches

Catholic Churches in the Machars of Galloway

Prayer of Communion.   (4th November ‘07)

PRAYER OF COMMUNION

 

When you become more in touch with your deepest self, that “still point” within, where you are most truly yourself, and when you have begun to experience, even a little, the joy and peace which come from praying for inner healing, one frequent effect of all this is that you become freer to reach out to others.

 

When different parts of you are “running mad” within the house of your soul, and fighting with one another, it’s almost impossible to relate meaningfully to other people. For, although we may sometimes try to hide it, our inner commotion and brokenness can be sensed by those around us. Even our face can reveal it, or our body language. We may even take out our inner frustration on others.

 

It can be hard to even talk to others when we are caught up or weighed down within ourselves. Even when we pray for others, our prayer may amount to a passing, distracted thought which we “throw” in their direction. We need inner freedom and peace to take time to be present to the other, to be engaged with them, to dwell upon them, to pray for them by “holding them” spiritually in our hearts and minds.

 

So, inner fragmentation or chaos often leads to the same in our relationships. Loneliness is an isolation within ourselves before it is between us. So many people who are estranged from others are often first estranged from themselves, from their deeper self. Some often live on the edge of their own hearts, unable or afraid to go deeper because of some pain or fear – maybe even the fear of loving themselves. Of course, this is itself often the result of not being or feeling loved unconditionally by a mother or father, or of having been abused physically, mentally or sexually by someone they had trusted.

 

As a bird is made to fly and sing, a lion to roar, God made the human being to be loved and to love. Love is our vocation. Love is our deepest need. Love is our “genetic code.” God made us to be in love with one another, in ways which correspond to who we are and what relationships we have with others. The love of a mother is not the love of a wife. Whatever love we give or receive, it must, if it is true, fit in with God’s love. For God, love means the sincere gift of self to the other. To give yourself, in whatever way it is done, provided it is true and sincere, that is to love as God loves. The “network” of love between all human beings and God, and even the “network” of love within God himself (between Father, Son and Holy Spirit), is what God from before time began destined us to receive. Another word for this “network” is “communion.”

 

Communion is applicable, then, to any true situation of love, and this is also true in prayer, because prayer is by definition an act of love. In prayer we are asking God to love us, so that we in turn can love Him and one another. Just as there is “centering prayer” and “healing prayer” (and many other kinds), there is also prayer of communion. Let me offer you, then, two simple methods of such prayer which you can hopefully exercise in the light of the above and, indeed, in the light of any other insight or understanding of your own. You will need at least 15 minutes to do this properly. Try! The first method is more contemplative; the second is prayer of petition:

 

A.

 

1. Find a place that is comfortable, quiet and dark. Light a candle in front of you.

 

2. Gaze at the candle as if you were gazing upon Jesus, risen from the dead. Repeat slowly a phrase like, “Light of the World, enlighten my deepest heart”, or “Fire of God, consume my being.”

 

3. Close your eyes, and imagine the candle separate into three candles, one before you, one to your right and one to your left. Imagine them increase in size and brightness. In your mind you turn to one, then the other, and pray, “Father of love, burn within me; Son of love, burn within me; Spirit of love, burn within me.”

 

4. Let all three candles, now consumed with light and fire, gradually move towards you. Imagine you yourself now become transparent and the three candles enter into you and form one candle again with you.

 

5. You are now on fire with God, the Trinity. Remain a few minutes in this wonderful state.

 

6. Now turn your mind to someone for whom you want to pray, or to some group of people, perhaps especially people from whom you have been separated because of some problem. Let them draw near to you, standing before you. Gaze on them with the love of the Trinity on fire within you.

 

7. Now reach out your hand to touch them, individually or as you wish. Now imagine they catch fire from your hand or your embrace. Try to see the problem between you being consumed by the flames. Feel the Trinity draw them into you and you into them in one blazing communion of love.

 

8. If you can, let there appear on the horizon other burning candles. Recognize in them the same Trinity who is on fire within you. Draw closer and closer together until all stand together, like layer upon layer, united in God.

 

9. It may help, when you are in this state of communion, to say prayers, such as, “Bless him/her/them, Lord! Love them! Heal them! Strengthen them! Etc..”

 

B.

1. Write down a list of people you want to pray for, or with whom you want to be in a better relationship. To help you write the list, go through in your mind the places you have lived, gone to school or work, etc.. If there’s one person in particular you want to pray for or about, write down the reasons for it. It does not have to be a long statement – may be just one or two words.

2. Take a few minutes to see the person(s) in your mind’s eye. Allow your feelings for them to emerge. Maybe you could bring a photo of them to prayer?

3. Turn to the Lord or to Our Lady or any saint. Say very simply, “Lord, I come to you to pray for/about N.. Here, I have in my hand what I have written about N. (and I have a photo of him/her/them). I offer all of this to You” As you bring them into the presence of the Lord, the way you might invite someone into your home, try to let go of what you see in this person and put yourself in the mind of Jesus (Mary, or saint). How does the Lord see that person? What does He desire for them?

4. Ask the Lord to give you the grace, now, to understand that person as He does, His care for them, His hope for them.

5. Now ask Him to help you see how He looks upon you; now, how he looks upon you in relation to that person. Ask Him to help you want for your relationship with that same person what He Himself wants for it. Ask Him to give you the love and courage and humility to reach out, even if it is only at first in your heart and mind. Ask Him to help you find the right words and approach.

6. As an encouragement to action, ask yourself the following: with regard to this person, how would I have wanted to act when I stand before Jesus at the hour of my death? What you would then have wanted to have done, try to do now.

7. It is good always to end with a prayer of thanksgiving or an Our Father.

 

These are only small attempts to help you in your prayer, and to find greater peace and joy in your relationships. You may have your own methods and approaches: thank God for them!

Through Holy Communion especially, may we learn that in truth Christ, the Father and the Spirit are in us and we in Them. No-one escapes their loving embrace – if they want it.

 

God bless your families, your friendships and all your efforts to love and to be loved!

 

Mgr. Peter Magee