Individual and group use of reflections for the Sundays of Year C

Let us imagine a circle of which you are one member. Also in the circle are the texts set for the day and these have to speak for themselves. Another member of your circle is your personal story. Our life experience is an important aspect of our prayer life.

Other contributors are the events of your daily life, local happenings and world events. These need to be drawn in to our prayer. The reflection that will be offered each week is another contributor. It will offer some insights which may help you interact with the texts. Some of you may be able to bring other people into your circle and share the Word and prayer. You will find this very enriching.

Here is one way of shaping your prayer if you are praying with others. You can adapt the method if you are on your own.

1. Use a simple way to make a transition from everyday activities to your formal prayer time.
   Make a center piece with a candle, flower etc. Something simple to help the group remind itself of what it is about and help it stay focused.
2. Have one person read the texts.
3. Listen to the word and for a few minutes stay in silence allowing the Word to resonate within you.
4. Share the insights, words that are significant for you. Receive these words without comment and without discussion.
5. Read the reflection. Have another period of silence to allow each to hear the Word in their hearts.
6. Allow another period of sharing from the heart. This time is important as it nourishes each with the gift of the other. As this is a prayer time not bible study reverence the contribution each makes without challenge or discussion.
7. You may have some short intercessory prayers for the needs of the world and each other.
8. Conclude with a prayer of blessing.

Introduction to Luke-Acts.

The Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles were conceived as one work. Luke wrote for Christians who were probably Gentiles. His purpose seems to have been to provide a link with the Jewish Scriptures and continue the story of God's fulfillment of the promise up to Luke's own day. For Luke, Jesus is a prophet like Moses. To the outsider of Christian circles the Christian movement is "presented as a philosophically enlightened, politically harmless, socially benevolent and philanthropic fellowship." Johnson, L T p9 The Gospel of Luke.

Luke is above all a storyteller. He creates a single narrative from the common stories of Jesus. He uses the Gospel of Mark as well as other sources including "eyewitnesses".