FIFTH GATHERING The theme for this month speaks to the heart of our Little Design Community way of life in the world. The paragraphs 19-25 of The Eucharistic Letter will guide us in our lived experience of seeing how LOVE within us does all the uniting of ourselves with all others, with God and with all creation. Truly these 'Beams of Love' are continuously embracing us in"the lavish grace!" The phrase coined by Fr. Medaille - THE TOTAL DOUBLE UNION - is our theme for this gathering. Trust how these gatherings where we "eat, pray and love" really bring us into a deeper communion. Share your heart's desires and experiences with us online.
May we all be one!
FIFTH LITTLE DESIGN COMMUNTIY GATHERING
Words of Welcome
Opening Song Fire of Love
Gathering Prayer of the Little Design Communities
Holy One, evidence of your self-communication in love is all around, everywhere.
In the inner depths of my own heart, in the world, in all creatures around me,
you live and move and have your being. I am not separate from you,
and because of your wondrous love I am not separate from all creation.
Help me to live with eyes wide open to your self-communication.
Help me to be open to your lavish grace, to receive it without fear and
with the conviction that you want nothing more than for me to receive it.
In turn, may I be gracious to others, an instrument of your lavish grace to all I meet.
-from Judy Cannato, Field of Compassion
Scripture: A reading from the Gospel of St. John 17:18-24
As you sent me into the world,
I have sent them into the world,
and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.
I pray not only for these, but for those also
who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realize that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
The Word of the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. Pause for silent prayer (5-7 minutes)
Guided reflection on The Eucharistic Letter – total double union – paragraphs 19- 25
Download these pages from the website or…
See section in the white binder commentary for these paragraphs.
One person reads the original text – Medaille’s written words.
Another person is prepared to speak from the commentary.
Open conversation and responses from the gathered community.
Sharing the State of the Heart – see notes and coloured cards in the white binder.
Everyone chooses ONE of the cards from the plastic folder. Choose a WORD that just seems to resonate with the state of your heart. Sit in silence with it awhile and let your story reveal itself to you. Then…
Spend as much time as is needed to have everyone share their story. Just listen to each other. No one needs to comment, fix, or resolve the situation. Let the Spirit work in your midst! Listen to each other and observe the shifts, growth, insights, changes all occurring within the other person’s journey over the past month. There is a ‘spiritual direction’ emerging in and through all the situations. Most of all listen to your own insights as you share from your own heart. Be receptive and obedient to the Spirit promptings within you.
Pray for each other as the individual coloured cards are placed around the Christ candle. Imagine everyone being touched by the light and love of the Great Lover God.
Closing Prayer
O God, who through your servant, Jean-Pierre Medaille, have deigned to call a great number of souls to the imitation of the Word Incarnate. In his great love for God and humanity, we beg of You, glorify Your name and glorify your servant, by granting us through his intercession the favors which we ask. We pray also that by his intercession the whole family of “the little design” may be continually renewed in his spirit and hasten with joy along the way which he has traced out for them towards this greatest love. Amen.Refreshments - enjoy a cup of tea with scones and jam. Table friendship bonds us!