Ignatian Contemplation
In contemplative prayer, we are seeking to know God directly rather than seeking to know about God. We are seeking to experience God’s presence.
It has deep roots in the Christian tradition, dating back to the Christian monasticism of the 4th century in Egypt. By the fifth century, St. John Cassian transported the tradition of meditative prayer to the Christian West. St. Benedict (480-547) made extensive use of John Cassian’s collection of teachings, and thus Cassian had a far-flung influence on monastic life in the West where this tradition of prayer remained strong until it was lost at the time of the Reformation.
Shortly before the Reformation, The Cloud of Unknowing was written by an unknown English Catholic writer of the 14th century. Mystics such as Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) and St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) also write of the power of contemplative prayer.
HOW TO DO IGNATIAN CONTEMPLATION
Recall that you are in the presence of God. Ask for an openness and receptivity to all that this encounter may grace you with.
Read through the passage slowly.
Read through it a second time.
Create the scene in your imagination. Pay attention to the details: sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and feelings of the event. Historical accuracy or relevance are of little importance. Feel free to go beyond the text of the Gospel.
Place yourself in the scene. Become a participant in the scene and allow your imagination to run wild. Lose yourself in the story. Interact with the characters.
Return to the passage and read it one more time. How has your understanding changed?
Contemplating a Gospel scene is not simply remembering it or going back in time. Through the act of contemplation, the Holy Spirit makes present a mystery of Jesus’ life in a way that is meaningful for you now. Use your imagination to dig deeper into the story so that God may communicate with you in a personal, evocative way.
