Susanne Timpani's Blog, page 12
March 23, 2016
Holy Thursday Night Reflection
10 Minute Daily Retreat - Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.By Malcolm Davies (No.195) Reading: John 13:14-15"You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you."
Seminary - Foot washingJesus came into the world to show us in his own person that God is love. He is willing to experience pain, rejection and finally to die for us to show us that love.
Normally, at formal meals to which guests were invited, the washing of feet would be done by a slave. Here Jesus himself performs the menial task which is a symbolic prefiguring of the ‘washing’ from sin that he will shortly accomplish for believers, as the Lamb of God, who in his death takes away the sins of the world.
Jesus washes us clean us through his Word and his Love, through the gift of himself. Over and over again he washes us with his Word.
If we accept the gift of salvation in an attitude of meditation, prayer and faith, there will be a deep experience of the cleansing grace and mercy of God in our life.
Jesus the Lord kneels again at our feet today and wishes to wash us clean. Say yes to him in a new way today.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Malcolm Davies
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
Seminary - Foot washingJesus came into the world to show us in his own person that God is love. He is willing to experience pain, rejection and finally to die for us to show us that love.Normally, at formal meals to which guests were invited, the washing of feet would be done by a slave. Here Jesus himself performs the menial task which is a symbolic prefiguring of the ‘washing’ from sin that he will shortly accomplish for believers, as the Lamb of God, who in his death takes away the sins of the world.
Jesus washes us clean us through his Word and his Love, through the gift of himself. Over and over again he washes us with his Word.
If we accept the gift of salvation in an attitude of meditation, prayer and faith, there will be a deep experience of the cleansing grace and mercy of God in our life.
Jesus the Lord kneels again at our feet today and wishes to wash us clean. Say yes to him in a new way today.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Malcolm DaviesRead the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
March 19, 2016
Palm Sunday Reflection
10 Minute Daily Retreat - Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.(No.186) By Susanne Timpani
Reading: Luke 22:14-23:56
…and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial." 22:46
I once watched a National Geographic documentary on Jerusalem's annual Palm Sunday procession. How thrilled was I to recognize myself, along with a group of fellow travellers, right in the thick of the crowd!
A number of years ago, I travelled to the Holy Land, with a group of young friends, to celebrate the events of Easter. The Palm Sunday procession heralded the beginning of an amazing pilgrimage experience.
On Good Friday we joined hundreds of Christians processing along the path believed to be that of Jesus’ final steps, the Via_Dolorosa.
The Old City of Jerusalem has changed very little in appearance since Jesus’ time. As we weaved our way through market stalls and back streets, the locals largely ignored us. The residents of the City are mostly Jews or Muslims and for them Good Friday has no religious significance.
I wondered if Jesus had felt ignored. Criminals carried crosses through the streets on a regular basis. How many people actually cared? What went through Jesus’ mind as vendors went about their business? Surely He would have questioned the meaning of His suffering?
The night before this procession – Holy Thursday – we joined a group in an ‘Upper Room’ and re-enacted the Last Supper. When the meal finished we left the room and followed ‘Jesus’ and his ‘disciples’ outside and travelled to the Garden of Gethsemane.
As we entered the Garden we passed a group of ‘soldiers’ laughing while they stood and warmed their hands around a bonfire.
The Gospel re-enactment continued. ‘Jesus’ pleaded with us to stay awake and wait with Him. My heart ached as the irreverent laughter from the soldiers penetrated the silence in the Garden.
How utterly alone Jesus must have felt. In His moment of dire need, no one stayed awake with Him.
I treasure the memories from that Easter pilgrimage. Each year they help me to enter into the spirit of Holy Week. But we don’t have to physically visit ‘holy sites’ to experience the meaning of this special time.
We have the Word of God that draws us into that experience. Holy Week is a time to stay awake with Jesus as He prays. Being faithful to ten minutes of quiet prayer a day is one way to help us prepare for Easter.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne Timpani
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
Reading: Luke 22:14-23:56
…and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial." 22:46
I once watched a National Geographic documentary on Jerusalem's annual Palm Sunday procession. How thrilled was I to recognize myself, along with a group of fellow travellers, right in the thick of the crowd!
A number of years ago, I travelled to the Holy Land, with a group of young friends, to celebrate the events of Easter. The Palm Sunday procession heralded the beginning of an amazing pilgrimage experience.
On Good Friday we joined hundreds of Christians processing along the path believed to be that of Jesus’ final steps, the Via_Dolorosa.
The Old City of Jerusalem has changed very little in appearance since Jesus’ time. As we weaved our way through market stalls and back streets, the locals largely ignored us. The residents of the City are mostly Jews or Muslims and for them Good Friday has no religious significance.
I wondered if Jesus had felt ignored. Criminals carried crosses through the streets on a regular basis. How many people actually cared? What went through Jesus’ mind as vendors went about their business? Surely He would have questioned the meaning of His suffering?
The night before this procession – Holy Thursday – we joined a group in an ‘Upper Room’ and re-enacted the Last Supper. When the meal finished we left the room and followed ‘Jesus’ and his ‘disciples’ outside and travelled to the Garden of Gethsemane.
As we entered the Garden we passed a group of ‘soldiers’ laughing while they stood and warmed their hands around a bonfire.
The Gospel re-enactment continued. ‘Jesus’ pleaded with us to stay awake and wait with Him. My heart ached as the irreverent laughter from the soldiers penetrated the silence in the Garden.
How utterly alone Jesus must have felt. In His moment of dire need, no one stayed awake with Him.
I treasure the memories from that Easter pilgrimage. Each year they help me to enter into the spirit of Holy Week. But we don’t have to physically visit ‘holy sites’ to experience the meaning of this special time.
We have the Word of God that draws us into that experience. Holy Week is a time to stay awake with Jesus as He prays. Being faithful to ten minutes of quiet prayer a day is one way to help us prepare for Easter.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne TimpaniRead the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
March 16, 2016
Wednesday Reflection by Malcolm Davies
10 Minute Daily Retreat - Read the Daily Gospel with a prayerful heart.By Malcolm Davies (No.185) Reading: John 8:31-32Jesus said: ‘If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples, you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free.’
The primary truth that is revealed in the scriptures is God’s total, complete and unconditional love for each one of us.
If you have not had that experience of love, if you see God as a taskmaster in the sky, then every other truth that flows from the Gospel will be distorted.
The call to prayer, worship, service and ongoing conversion can only be understood in the light of the primary revelation that God is love.
Our call to be a disciple is more than a one-off experiential high but is instead based on a steadiness in faith. We are called to abide in the love of God revealed to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
By abiding in the love of God and living committed steady lives of faith we will continue to experience the love of God in deeper ways throughout our life.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you
Malcolm Davies
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
The primary truth that is revealed in the scriptures is God’s total, complete and unconditional love for each one of us.
If you have not had that experience of love, if you see God as a taskmaster in the sky, then every other truth that flows from the Gospel will be distorted.
The call to prayer, worship, service and ongoing conversion can only be understood in the light of the primary revelation that God is love.
Our call to be a disciple is more than a one-off experiential high but is instead based on a steadiness in faith. We are called to abide in the love of God revealed to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
By abiding in the love of God and living committed steady lives of faith we will continue to experience the love of God in deeper ways throughout our life.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you
Malcolm DaviesRead the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
March 12, 2016
Sunday Reflection by Susanne Timpani
10 Minute Daily Retreat - Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.(No.184)
Reading: John 8:1-11
10 Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, sir.”[b] And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”]
"How I wish that there was some wonderful place Called the Land of Beginning Again, Where all our mistakes and all out heartaches And all our poor selfish grief Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door, And never put on again."
'In Jesus, there is the gospel of the second chance. He was always intensely interested, not only in what a person had been, but also in what a person could be.
He did not say that what they had done did not matter; broken laws and broken hearts always matter, but He was sure that every man has a future as well as the past.' Barclay
That is Good News.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen to God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne Timpani
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
Reading: John 8:1-11
10 Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, sir.”[b] And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”]
"How I wish that there was some wonderful place Called the Land of Beginning Again, Where all our mistakes and all out heartaches And all our poor selfish grief Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door, And never put on again."
'In Jesus, there is the gospel of the second chance. He was always intensely interested, not only in what a person had been, but also in what a person could be.
He did not say that what they had done did not matter; broken laws and broken hearts always matter, but He was sure that every man has a future as well as the past.' Barclay
That is Good News.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen to God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne TimpaniRead the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
March 8, 2016
Wednesday Reflection by Louise Crossley
10 Minute Daily Retreat - Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.By Louise Crossley (No.183)
Reading: John 5:17-30
19 Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father[a] does, the Son does likewise."
Surrendering to God with a trusting heart
gives us more power, not less.
‘I can do nothing on my own…’ A powerful statement. A comforting one. A confronting one. On reflecting on John 5:17-30, that statement echoes in my heart. In this world where success is often measured by what we can control and the level of authority we have over others, it is calming to embrace the reality that John writes about in this Gospel.Ambition and pride sometimes deflects the power of knowing this and it can be mistaken for the loss of power. In truth, surrendering to God with a trusting heart gives us more power, to do what has to be done and accept what is not meant to be. By accepting, we let go of the responsibility of trying to make things happen for ourselves. Instead, we can concentrate on our purpose in this world, which the Lord reveals in a timeframe in which the He sees necessary. In essence, by surrendering control to God we become free to live in the now and accept our life experiences as part of our growth and not a way to measure ourselves against others.Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen to God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Louise Crossley
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
Reading: John 5:17-30
19 Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father[a] does, the Son does likewise."
Surrendering to God with a trusting heart gives us more power, not less.
‘I can do nothing on my own…’ A powerful statement. A comforting one. A confronting one. On reflecting on John 5:17-30, that statement echoes in my heart. In this world where success is often measured by what we can control and the level of authority we have over others, it is calming to embrace the reality that John writes about in this Gospel.Ambition and pride sometimes deflects the power of knowing this and it can be mistaken for the loss of power. In truth, surrendering to God with a trusting heart gives us more power, to do what has to be done and accept what is not meant to be. By accepting, we let go of the responsibility of trying to make things happen for ourselves. Instead, we can concentrate on our purpose in this world, which the Lord reveals in a timeframe in which the He sees necessary. In essence, by surrendering control to God we become free to live in the now and accept our life experiences as part of our growth and not a way to measure ourselves against others.Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen to God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Louise CrossleyRead the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
March 5, 2016
Sunday Reflection
10 Minute Daily Retreat - Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.By Jane Borg (No.182)
Reading: Matthew 5:17-19 'but whoever keeps and teaches [these commandments], he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.' (v 19)
We can live as lighthouses shining light into
the life of others
We teach others by the way we live our own call as disciples of Jesus. The whole law of God by which disciples live is underpinned by the greatest commandment of all, as given to us by Jesus:
"Love the Lord your God with your whole heart, mind and soul; and love your neighbour as yourself." Mark 12:30
That is very hard to do unless we are constantly drawing from the source of all love. In our busyness, we need time to connect with Jesus.
We need to call on the Holy Spirit to pour God's love into our hearts. We need to ask Him to remove the scales from our eyes that prevent us seeing Jesus in all we meet.
If we can love each other with the power of the love of Christ who sacrificed all for us, we can live as lighthouses shining light into those who do not feel the love of Christ in their lives.
What a challenge for us all. Yet the grace is there for us if we ask.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen to God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Jane Borg
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
Reading: Matthew 5:17-19 'but whoever keeps and teaches [these commandments], he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.' (v 19)
We can live as lighthouses shining light intothe life of others
We teach others by the way we live our own call as disciples of Jesus. The whole law of God by which disciples live is underpinned by the greatest commandment of all, as given to us by Jesus:
"Love the Lord your God with your whole heart, mind and soul; and love your neighbour as yourself." Mark 12:30
That is very hard to do unless we are constantly drawing from the source of all love. In our busyness, we need time to connect with Jesus.
We need to call on the Holy Spirit to pour God's love into our hearts. We need to ask Him to remove the scales from our eyes that prevent us seeing Jesus in all we meet.
If we can love each other with the power of the love of Christ who sacrificed all for us, we can live as lighthouses shining light into those who do not feel the love of Christ in their lives.
What a challenge for us all. Yet the grace is there for us if we ask.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen to God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Jane Borg
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
March 1, 2016
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 6:1-6
10 Minute Daily Retreat - Read the Daily Gospel with a prayerful heart.By Malcolm Davies (No.181) And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house.'
A prophet is one who stands for the poor and marginalized and anyone who has no one to speak for them. Each one of us is called to be a prophet in word and action in our society.
We are each challenged to move from apathy to speak for those who are silenced in our society. That may include refugees and asylum seekers who are often vilified and lied about.
In a society torn by conflicting points of view, we are called to be steadfast in our role in protecting the sacredness of human life.
I have stood in prayer outside Parliament house for the lawmakers to have a change of heart. I have at times marched with peaceful demonstrators to express my deep concern. Other people I know write regularly to their MPs and Senators.
It's critical that we do not ignore the movement of grace which empowers us to be that prophet in our world, whether through expressing concerns publically or through personal prayer.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen to God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Malcolm DaviesFebruary 27, 2016
Colin Sutton Rest in Peace
10 Minute Daily Retreat - Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.By Colin Sutton (No.5)
Colin left to be with the Lord on Sunday, 21st February 2016. Colin was on our team of Retreat Writers and this is his first reflection.
May his soul rest in peace.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colin Sutton shares a reflection written in October 2014.
'Many things that are known cannot be explained, they are not seen except in the effects.'I read this many years ago and wrote it in my Bible.
There is much in the Bible that I don’t understand, but as Mark Twain said, “it's not what I don’t understand in the Bible that concerns me, but what I do understand.”
The Bible is the Word of God, where God speaks to us about His ways that guide us as His children, so that we can live life as a child of God.
That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and what you are to wear. (Matthew 6:25)
Set your hearts on His kingdom first and all these things will be given you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
The effect of trusting God in this Word is peace; peace that comes from living in the kingdom. God strongly encourages us not to worry, as worry does not bring peace.
Right now let us place our lives in God’s hands, asking for the grace to hear His word, and the courage to follow His ways.
Colin Sutton
May his soul rest in peace
Colin left to be with the Lord on Sunday, 21st February 2016. Colin was on our team of Retreat Writers and this is his first reflection.
May his soul rest in peace.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colin Sutton shares a reflection written in October 2014.
'Many things that are known cannot be explained, they are not seen except in the effects.'I read this many years ago and wrote it in my Bible.
There is much in the Bible that I don’t understand, but as Mark Twain said, “it's not what I don’t understand in the Bible that concerns me, but what I do understand.”
The Bible is the Word of God, where God speaks to us about His ways that guide us as His children, so that we can live life as a child of God.
That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and what you are to wear. (Matthew 6:25)
Set your hearts on His kingdom first and all these things will be given you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
The effect of trusting God in this Word is peace; peace that comes from living in the kingdom. God strongly encourages us not to worry, as worry does not bring peace.
Right now let us place our lives in God’s hands, asking for the grace to hear His word, and the courage to follow His ways.
Colin SuttonMay his soul rest in peace
"Peace." Written by the late Colin Sutton 20th October, 2014
10 Minute Daily Retreat - Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.By Colin Sutton (No.5)
Colin left to be with the Lord on Sunday, 21st February, 2016. Colin was on our team of Retreat Writers and this is his first reflection.
May his soul rest in peace.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today Colin Sutton shares a reflection and one of his favorite scriptures.
'Many things that are known cannot be explained, they are not seen except in the effects.'I read this many years ago and wrote it in my Bible.
There is much in the Bible that I don’t understand, but as Mark Twain said, “it's not what I don’t understand in the Bible that concerns me, but what I do understand.”
The Bible is the Word of God, where God speaks to us about His ways that guide us as His children, so that we can live life as a child of God.
That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and what you are to wear. (Matthew 6:25)
Set your hearts on His kingdom first and all these things will be given you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
The effect of trusting God in this Word is peace; peace that comes from living in the kingdom. God strongly encourages us not to worry, as worry does not bring peace.
Right now let us place our lives in God’s hands, asking for the grace to hear His word, and the courage to follow His ways.
Colin Sutton
May his soul rest in peace
Colin left to be with the Lord on Sunday, 21st February, 2016. Colin was on our team of Retreat Writers and this is his first reflection.
May his soul rest in peace.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today Colin Sutton shares a reflection and one of his favorite scriptures.
'Many things that are known cannot be explained, they are not seen except in the effects.'I read this many years ago and wrote it in my Bible.
There is much in the Bible that I don’t understand, but as Mark Twain said, “it's not what I don’t understand in the Bible that concerns me, but what I do understand.”
The Bible is the Word of God, where God speaks to us about His ways that guide us as His children, so that we can live life as a child of God.
That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and what you are to wear. (Matthew 6:25)
Set your hearts on His kingdom first and all these things will be given you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
The effect of trusting God in this Word is peace; peace that comes from living in the kingdom. God strongly encourages us not to worry, as worry does not bring peace.
Right now let us place our lives in God’s hands, asking for the grace to hear His word, and the courage to follow His ways.
Colin SuttonMay his soul rest in peace
February 6, 2016
W...
Welcome to the 10 Minute Daily Retreat.
The Retreats are on hold during the month of February due to the release of my debut novel, Twice stolen.
The 10 Minute Daily Retreat, encourages prayerful reflection of scripture, similar to the ancient Christian practice of Lectio Divina. The verses are not so much studied as read slowly with a 'listening' heart.
The Gospel readings follow the Liturgical Calendar. A brief reflection is provided, either written by a volunteer on Wednesdays or myself on Sundays.
If you would like to receive the Retreats via email please submit your details in the box on the right.
I would love you to visit again in March, 2016.
Blessings, Susanne.
10 Minute Daily Retreat:
5 Minutes: Read and Reflect
5 Minutes: Listen & Pray
The Retreats are on hold during the month of February due to the release of my debut novel, Twice stolen.
The 10 Minute Daily Retreat, encourages prayerful reflection of scripture, similar to the ancient Christian practice of Lectio Divina. The verses are not so much studied as read slowly with a 'listening' heart.
The Gospel readings follow the Liturgical Calendar. A brief reflection is provided, either written by a volunteer on Wednesdays or myself on Sundays.
If you would like to receive the Retreats via email please submit your details in the box on the right.
I would love you to visit again in March, 2016.
Blessings, Susanne.
10 Minute Daily Retreat:5 Minutes: Read and Reflect
5 Minutes: Listen & Pray
