Ignatian meditations for Education Sunday 2004: Putting out into the deep

Education Sunday will be celebrated on 8 February 2004. The theme is 'Putting out into the deep', referring to Luke 5.1-11. The resource material below is provided to supplement and complement the leaflet (PDF, 105 KB).

The following two meditations, on Luke 5.1-11 and Isaiah 6.1-8, have been written in the style of an Ignatian exercise by Rupert Kaye. An outline for a children's address is also available.

Ignatian meditations

The form of Ignatian meditation chosen is lectio divina: a response to scripture. The three elements involved are:
i) reading (the Bible passage);
ii) meditating (upon the themes and images in the passage);
iii) praying (in response to the passage and one's own meditations upon it).

An lgnatian meditation on Luke 5.1-11

Step 1: Bible reading

Read Luke 5.1-1 1.

Step 2: Guided meditation

Read the following:

You are at your place of work or study. You see and hear the people you know going about their normal business. But everyone looks tired and disheartened. It's been a long day, in fact it's been a demanding week! You've all tried your best... but it seems your best isn't good enough! Work that needed to be done on Monday still hasn't been finished - and now it's Friday.

How do you feel? (PAUSE)

Everyone is starting to pack things away ready for the weekend when suddenly Jesus walks into the building. Jesus looks at each person in turn and smiles. He asks you to open a window for him so he can speak to the crowd of onlookers who have gathered in the street outside.

What do you see and hear? (PAUSE)

Jesus is in your place of work! And you have just opened a window at his request! You notice that everyone around you has stopped what they were doing and has pulled up a chair to listen to Jesus. They sit, cradling their mugs of coffee and cups of squash, hanging on every word.

What does Jesus say that speaks to them most? (PAUSE)

As you listen to Jesus you feel the stress easing from your body; your neck and shoulders feel less tense; your worries and concerns don't seem such a burden anymore. As you listen to Jesus you begin to laugh and smile.

What worries and burdens do you most want to be released from? (PAUSE)

When Jesus has finished speaking to the crowd he closes the window and turns to face you and your workmates. He tells you to unpack everything you have packed away for the weekend and says he wants to help you do your work right now. 'Put out into the deep,' says Jesus. You reply, 'Lord, we've worked all week and haven't accomplished a thing. But because you say so, we will start again.' Suddenly all the things that didn't go your way before begin to work! In fact, people who work at the school, shop, or factory next door have come to lend a hand!

Picture the scene: what happens? What is the reaction of your workmates now? (PAUSE)

Then one of your friends falls to their knees and says, 'Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful person!' Jesus replies: 'Don't be afraid; from now on you will be working for me.'

What is your friend's response? What is your response? (PAUSE)

Step 3: Prayer

Use the following prayer:

Loving God,
Help us to welcome you into our place of work without feeling embarrassed.
'Do not be afraid!' says the Lord.
Help us to invite you into every situation, especially when we can no longer cope; when we feel stressed out or inadequate; when our best no longer seems good enough.
'Do not be afraid!' says the Lord.
Help us to cast all our worries and burdens onto you and listen for your guidance in the things we do day by day.
'Do not be afraid!' says the Lord.
We pray that we might become bold enough to obey your call and 'put out into the deep' - trusting that you will bless us generously and, through us, bless those around us.
Help us to hear and answer your call to us.
Amen.

An lgnatian meditation on Isaiah 6.1-8

Step 1: Bible reading

Read Isaiah 6.1-8.

Step 2: Guided meditation

Read the following:

You are transported with Isaiah to God's heavenly temple. Although you are unseen you see everything. You see the fabric of God's robe all around you. The robe is so enormous it fills the room, obscuring the floor, the walls and the ceiling. You feel the robe's texture; you see its marvellous design; you hear the sound it makes as it billows and swirls around you; you smell it as it brushes against you.

How do you feel? (PAUSE)

You see Isaiah. You hear the fear in his voice. You see his body trembling. You see him covering his eyes. (PAUSE)

You look up and see what Isaiah sees. A sudden burst of light temporarily blinds you. You squint and shade your face with your hands and there, in front of you, is a huge throne. You attempt to focus your eyes on the figure seated on the throne because you want to see God for yourself.

What do you see? (PAUSE)

Your eyes can only see the angels - each with six wings - flying back and forth in front of the throne of God. Your ears are filled with the sound of the angels praising God. Your nostrils are filled with the smoke that fills the room. You can hardly stand upright because the temple is shaking so violently. (PAUSE)

You hear Isaiah cry out, 'Woe is me! I am doomed, for my own eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts, I, a man of unclean lips, I, who dwell among a people of unclean lips.'

What do you want to say to God? (PAUSE)

You see an angel take a hot coal from the altar and fly towards Isaiah. You see the angel place the coal onto lsaiah's lips. You see the miracle of healing take place before your very eyes. You hear the angel say, 'Your sin is wiped out.' You see Isaiah's joy.

What sin do you want wiped out? (PAUSE)

You then hear God say: 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?' (PAUSE)

You hear lsaiah's response: 'Here am I. Send me!'

What is your response? (PAUSE)

Step 3: Prayer

Use the following prayer:

Lord,
You see the needs of children and young people and you ask:
'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?'
You see the needs of those who work in nurseries and playgroups; schools, colleges and universities and you ask: 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?'
You see the needs of those who inspect, audit and advise places of learning and you ask: 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?'
You see the needs of the policy makers and politicians who shape education policy and allocate resources to fund learning and you ask: 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?'
You see the needs of those who support, minister and pray for those engaged in education and you ask: 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?'
Help us to hear and answer your call to us
Here am I! Send me!
Amen.