Praying with Scripture in the way of St. Ignatius of Loyola, by imaginatively placing yourself inside the Gospels, is a powerful way to encounter Jesus and receive His peace.
1. Place yourself in His presence. Be still. Simply notice God noticing you. Remember who He is and who you are.
2. Make some act of reverence. He is the Lord of the Universe. We use our bodies to acknowledge His presence (i.e. the Sign of the Cross, bow, etc.)
3. Offer yourself to Him. Jesus, I give You all I am. I give You all my actions, thoughts, and desires this prayer time. I give You this place in my heart, this relationship, this desire, this fear, this thing that is troubling me …
4. Read the passage: Mark 4:35-41
On that day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took Him with them in the boat, just as He was. And other boats were with Him. And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care if we perish?” And He awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?”
5. Set the scene. For example: Imagine the hills of Galilee hushed around you, the soft lap of water pink in the evening sun, the breeze warm against your face. Hear the heavy breath of the men as they push off from shore, the heave and slide of water against wood. See the birds brush across the fading sky like a ribbon, like black arrows.
6. Ask for the grace you desire. i.e. Peace, love, hope …
7. Enter into the scene. Who are you? An apostle? Someone in another boat? See, taste, touch, hear, and smell. For example: Feel the dark water rising in a panic about you, the wind cutting sharp against your face. See the frightened eyes of the disciples, and the waves that batter and swallow and thunder. Hear the muffled cries, the disciples shaking Jesus, “Teacher, do You not care if we perish?” See Him rise in the darkness and speak, firmly, gently, “Peace! Be still!” Feel the great silence envelop you. Hear a water drop fall from the sails, and the sound of your breath, loud against the clear expanse of stars, the sea encrusted with diamonds. See Him stand before you, the water glistening in His beard, His eyes kind and clear. Rest in His presence. Stop and savor when you feel your heart move.
8. Talk to Him. Imagine yourself talking face to face with Jesus, your clothes soaked against your skin. How does He look at you? Let yourself meet His gaze. What do you want to say to Him? What does He say to you? Jesus, what word do you have for me? Listen with the ears of your heart.
9. End with an Our Father.
Originally printed in IMPRINT Magazine Winter 2022.
