Sharing of Hearts

Our founder, Father Jean-Pierre Medaille SJ gave us a wonderfully simple and effective way to gather in community and do spiritual sharing of the heart … so that it doesn't become counseling, a twelve steps recovery meeting, a bible sharing, a book club, or just idle conversation. This simple graced way of conversation facilitates getting to the 'heart of the matter' in great simplicity, candour and gentleness.

 
Sharing of hearts
 
Every four weeks the women/men of The Little Design Communities will plan to meet in small gatherings in each other's homes. Ideally, the groupings will be of three to six persons (maximum) so as to more easily deepen trust and ease in communicating with each other the interior stirrings of their hearts.
 
After an opening prayer and/or song, there may be a reading from Scripture or some other sacred text (e.g. Eucharistic Letter, contemporary spiritual author, a Maxim) … which is followed by a period of contemplative silence. (5-7 minutes or more if your small community wishes) Go to the website link for 8 Monthly Gatherings for Year One to print. Or, if you have the complete BINDER, everything is included that you need for your home meetings.
 
Sharing of the hearts will flow in great gentleness and peace as each person is invited to share from the heart:
 
 
Choose the card from the package that speaks to your State of Heart

Each of the 9 coloured cards represents a ‘state of heart’. One side of each card speaks of ‘a struggle’ in our spiritual journey and the other side speaks of ‘the grace’ that grows from it. Both are essential to maturing in the spiritual life.

cards 1

The different coloured cards on one side speak of a gratitude for some growth in grace/virtue that I have experienced over the past few weeks in some area of my life.

(e.g. endurance, courage, faith, transformation, living in the present moment, conversion, independence, surrender, limitations)

 

                                                                                                              OR...
 
cards best 2The different coloured cards on the other side speak of a struggle with some vulnerable area that invites a new challenge to grow in some virtue or mature in some area of functionality that is impeding my inner freedom.
 
(e.g. fear, isolation, change, boredom, exhaustion, pain, darkness, vulnerability, powerlessness)
 

 

 
 
At each gathering, sit in silence for a short while to choose the sacred WORD that represents a particular spiritual space that YOU have been experiencing over the past month. Let it arise from within you. The ‘WORD’ will draw you. Simply let it speak to you and your present situation.

Share your story in your own words with your small faith community. Be mindful of how you feel as you manifest from your heart to listeners who receive your story with respect and love.

Place your card around the Christ candle. Pray for each other. Celebrate your uniqueness.

At the end of the meeting, be sure to return your card to its plastic folder. Observe the MOVEMENT of the SPIRIT within you over time. You will see how God working within you will be emptying you of all that is false, illusory and wounded within yourself and “at the same time” God will be filling you with Great Love and all the other virtues.  Yes, we will ALL be made able to “Bear the beams of LOVE”… and radiate that compassion to all others.

 

A meaningful sharing

This little way demonstrates how God delights to: "Empty me and fill me with Great Love." The small community simply listens to each other's story with love and deep respect for God's work within each one's unique journey. There is no need to comment, advise or make suggestions. The Spirit alive within the sharing will instruct and counsel and each will come to "a knowing in their heart" that God's infinite love is calling them into 'the more'.
 

Enjoy these special times together for mutual support and friendship … always with a cup of tea and some refreshments.

Cherish each other in your hearts and pray daily for God's Love to deepen and expand within our homes and neighbourhoods and cities... yes, all around the world.