"Ignatius was convinced that God can speak to us as surely through our imagination as through our thoughts and memories. In the Ignatian tradition, praying with the imagination is called contemplation. In [this tradition], contemplation is a very active way of praying that engages the mind and heart and stirs up thoughts and emotions (note that in other spiritual traditions, contemplation has quite a different meaning: it refers to a way of praying that frees the mind of all thoughts and images)." - Kevin O’Brien
This Biblical meditation is perfect for stories in the Gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But it can be used with other narratives throughout the entire Bible.
We encourage you to journal your senses, thoughts, insights and responses. Write in your journal as if you were having a dialogue with God about what you sensed and experienced, and what it revealed about yourself and about God, in this Biblical meditation.
This practice can be done all by yourself, or in a discipleship group or a small group, and even in larger groups!
Before starting the Gospel Meditation, choose a passage/story from the Gospels, though other Biblical narratives will also work well. (see below for a few passage suggestions)
Gospel Meditations (Ignatian Biblical Meditation)
Listen > Visualize > Experience > Process > Respond
make sure to journal, pray, & share
1. LISTEN to the Biblical story
Your job in the first read is to listen to the story attentively as the passage is being read aloud, slowly.
Your job is to take in the story attentively.
2. VISUALIZE the Biblical story
Your job in the second read is to visualize and lose yourself in the story, then ask yourself: "What am I seeing and noticing in this story? What part of the story am I drawn to? Which character do I identify with?" Don't seek intellectual insights, just stay with the imagery and be present to the Holy Spirit as He is leading you.
In this step, people are given ample time to visualize or imagine this story. Remind them that the Holy Spirit is actively helping and leading them in this experience.
3. EXPERIENCE the story in the role of a character to which God led you, using all your senses
Now for the third read, experience the story as if you were one of the characters in the story. Let Holy Spirit lead you in the choosing. After the third read, ask yourself: "What do I sense through the point-of-view of my chosen character?" Journal what you noticed, sensed, thought, and pondered.
"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." - Kevin O'Brien
"We might initially worry about going beyond the text of the Gospel. If you have offered your time of prayer to God, then begin by trusting that God is communicating with you. If you wonder if your imagination is going “too far,” then do some discernment with how you are praying. Where did your imagining lead you: Closer to God or farther away? Is your imagining bringing you consolation or desolation?" - Kevin O'Brien
4. PROCESS what's going on inside of you and how God is speaking to you, through this story
Ponder these: "What is this bringing up in me related to my own struggles, issues and longings? What new revelation and insights about myself is being highlighted? What is God saying to me?" Talk to the Lord about these in prayer.
Process how the things you noticed from this Bible story relate to what's going inside of you.
What longings that you have are showing up because of this story?
What personal issues did you find yourself struggling with, including your feelings and emotions, because of this story?
What new revelation and insights have now come from doing this spiritual practice with this story?
5. RESPOND to your new insights as it relates to your world today
Respond to this: "What is God directing me to do as a response to my life's circumstances?"
Some Good Verses & Passages To Get You Started Using This Spiritual Practice:
remember the Bible is loaded with many more of these...
Luke 5:17-26 - Jesus heals a paralytic brought in by friends
Luke 15:11-32 - The parable of the prodigal son
Luke 17:11-19 - Ten lepers and Jesus
Luke 18:9-17 - The parable of the pharisee and the tax collector
Luke 18:18-30 The rich young ruler
Matthew 8:5-13 - A centurion’s servant is healed
Matthew 18:21-35 - The parable of the merciful king and the unmerciful servant
John 8:1-11 - A woman caught in adultery
John 13:3-17 - Jesus washing feet
Mark 5:24-34 - The healing of a woman who touched Jesus’ cloak
GOSPEL MEDITATIONS Reference Image to download & keep in your smartphone/laptop (right click and "Save As")
Journal, Pray, & Share!
Journal - Write down your chosen character, and then add the experiences, senses and insights, what you learned about yourself, what God has revealed to you, and how it applies to your context today.
Pray - Pray out of the insights you received and its application to your life's situations. Ask God for help and strength to step into these with obedience to what He has spoken to you.
Share - 1) Share in the context of a group: Have people share their chosen character, and the experiences, senses and insights, what they are learning about themselves, and what God has revealed to them. 2) Share with a friend, family member, or anyone else that would be interested in this practice and in learning more from Scripture. The point of sharing with others is to breakout of a private faith and into a transparent faith. It is to become comfortable bringing up God and what He is doing and showing you, wherever you are at and wherever you go.