Prepare for MAGiS'09

At the beginning of this New Year, we set out together on a pilgrimage towards Magis ’09 with its theme: Dancing with God in an African Pot.

What is a pilgrimage? In our Catholic tradition, going on pilgrimage, often a journey to a holy place was a way of deepening faith and expressing devotion. People went together.

To help us on our pilgrimage you will receive, each week, some material for reflection and prayer. In this way, we hope that when we meet in August we will have not only prepared our own hearts but have built up ‘friendship in the Lord’.
Please note that the reflections from the previous months can be accessed by Clicking here.

Week 29 (July Week IV)

Drawing Strength from God and trusting ourselves.

‘With an age old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy towards you. Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt; carrying your festive tambourines, you shall go forth dancing.’ (Jer31:3-4)

God makes this promise through the prophet Jeremiah. The joyful exodus continues in the life of each pilgrim.
We step out in Faith and look to the future with hope and trust.
Travelling together calls us to trust ourselves and also our companions on the journey.
To believe in our own strengths and goodness. Even when clouds come on the horizon we know the sun is not far behind.
Let us look forward with hope to the experience which can leader us to even greater life and love and joy.

Week 28 (July Week III)

Ready to Serve

People of the MAGiS are men and women for others.

Service, in the Ignatian context, will call us to be attentive to the needs of others,to listen with open ears, eyes and heart and to respond with compassion.

Many different opportunities to serve will come during the days of experiments and throughout the whole experience.
This week we pray with John 13: 1-15.

‘If I then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’

Week 27 (July Week II)

Openness to the ‘otherness’ of others

‘Dancing with God in an African pot’ we will meet people who are very different from us. Different cultures, languages, food customs etc can bring us face to face with what we have always considered the right way to do things. It can even make us aware of prejudices we did not know we had.
Coming with an open mind and heart can prepare us to face this challenge.
This is a challenge Jesus also faced when someone who was not of his own people came to him with a request

This week let us pray with St. Matthew 15: 21-28.
‘Jesus left the place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And suddenly out came a Cannanite woman from that district and started shouting, Lord, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil..and he said in reply, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel’ But the woman had come up and was bowing low before him. ‘Lord, she said,’help me’. He replied, ‘It is not fair to take the childrens food and throw it to little dogs.’ She retorted,’Ah yes Lord, but even little dogs eat the scraps that fall from their masters’ table’. Then Jesus answered her, ‘woman, you have great faith. Let your desire be granted’. And from that moment her daughter was well again.’
This same Jesus understands and helps us move beyond our limits.

Week 26 (July Week I)

Stepping into the unknown

We are now in our final month of preparation and the experience itself draws close.
We have committed ourselves to the journey wherever it may lead.
How do you feel? There are many unknowns to be faced.

Stepping into the unknown can be scary.

A January reflection invited: ‘Put you hand into the hand of God’

We do not travel alone. We also have a companion in Mary our mother. Let us pray this week:
‘Be with us Mary along the way
Guide every step we take
Lead us to Jesus your loving Son

Come with us Mary come’

Remember:the past reflections are available if you Click Here.