EXERCISE OF THE WEEK: / Ask a few of your close friend, you spouse, your partner, your family, how they
are experiencing your listening and how you can improve. Also spend some
time in prayer just listening.

RHYTHM OF LIFE - ORDER OF MEETING
Connection RhythmWeek 1

SAVOURING – Enjoying to the full

BECOMING FULLY PRESENT (I-III)

I. OPENING WORDS

We gather with one purpose—to grow together in love as we learn to follow the way of Jesus with all of our lives. This is a space where every voice matters and where everyone has something valuable to contribute. We celebrate with those who are celebrating and mourn with those who are mourning. Through sincere listening, support and open questions we honour each other.

II. OPENING QUESTIONS

  • What are one of your characteristics that people often complement you on?
  • What are some of the things that distracts you from being fully present today?

III. STANDING STILL AND COMMUNALLY CONNECTING WITH GOD

Teach me to listen O God, to those nearest to me, my family, friends, co-workers. Teach me to listen, my caring God, to those far from me– the whisper of the hopeless, the plea of the forgotten, the cry of the anguished. Teach me to listen, O God, to myself. Help me to be less afraid to trust the voice inside — in the deepest part of me. Teach me to listen, Holy Spirit, for your voice — in busyness and in boredom, in certainty and doubt, in noise and in silence. Teach me, Lord, to listen. Amen.

Read this prayer together of John Veltri S.J

IV. LISTENING AND LEARNING TOGETHER

Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:1-23

“Our failure to hear His voice when we want to is due to the fact that we do not in general want to hear it, that we want it only when we think we need it.” ―Dallas Willard

V. WHAT DID YOU HEAR?

VI. DISCUSS

What role does listening play in your relationship with God? What are some of the ways you listen to yourself? What is the role that listening plays in the parable of the sower?

VII. REFLECTION TIME

What stood out for you about the conversation? Did you have any insights? Is there anything practical you would like to do this week as a response? Is there any support that you would like this week?

VII. BLESSING

May you increase in your capacity to listen to yourself, God and others. And may you be wonderfully surprised at what you hear. Amen