“Praying the Scriptures” is an Ignatian spiritual practice that helps people to reflect on their experiences, to nurture their spiritual lives, and to discern direction for their lives through entering into a biblical story. It works something like this: alone or in a small group, a passage of scripture is read slowly, deliberately and usually more than once. Participants are invited to enter into the story as much as possible – being there, feeling the feelings, smelling the smells, hearing the sounds. They are then invited to name the character in the story with whom they identify, and to think about why that is.
Our Gospel reading for Sunday, the parable of the Prodigal Son, is a perfect story to read in this way, because it’s filled with such interesting characters: the father, the younger son, the older son and servants.
I’ve found this to be a very revealing and helpful exercise, and I think you will too. So come on Sunday with an open mind and heart to enter into this ancient parable.
See you on Sunday!
Rev. Warren McDougall
Like to read the scripture ahead?
This week our scripture reading will be:Luke 15:11b-32
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