A Gospel Apprenticeship

‘As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.’ (Matthew 4: 18-20)

The journey of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises is a sustained journey of personal prayer, much of it based on meditating on Gospel scenes and incidents, leading the pilgrim through Jesus’ earthly ministry, his passion, death, and resurrection, always challenged by the question: How does this passage speak to me? What does it ask of me?

In journeying prayerfully through the Gospels, we become apprentices to the Master, following him closely, observing him in action, and learning to emulate his attitudes and values in our own lives. As we follow him, we also learn that this comes at a cost and will provoke opposition in some form, but that, with the Master beside us and his Spirit within us, we will, with him, transcend the darkness. Meditating on a Gospel scene or event as a form of prayer is a powerful way to connect our own life to the example of Jesus.

Reflection

As I read through the Gospel passage suggested for today, I ask for the grace to enter into it imaginatively, as if I were there. 

Where do I find myself in the story, and what touches me more deeply? In what way does it speak to my own life and circumstances?

If I feel drawn to enter into conversation with Jesus, what do I wish to share with him?

Prayer for today

I ask for the grace to engage deeply and personally with Jesus in his earthly ministry and learn from him what it means to live true to the person you created me to be. May I stay faithfully alongside him through his suffering and death. May my own heart and mind be conformed more and more closely to the mind and heart of the One I follow.

Novena prayer

Lord, I come into your presence, drawn by your Holy Spirit, inspired by the life and teaching of your servant Ignatius and bringing before you my own intention in this time of prayer (name your personal intention). Like Ignatius, I desire to know you more clearly, to follow you more nearly and to love you more dearly. Echoing his words and in the power of your Spirit, I dare to pray: Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours, dispose of it according to your will. Give me only your love and grace. This is enough for me.’