There’s this way of engaging with Bible stories shared from the Ignatian tradition called Ignatian Contemplation.  It’s basically reading Bible stories and engaging with those stories through the usage of our imaginations.  You begin with a text (stories from the Gospels/the life of Jesus are particularly helpful).  From there you allow yourself to imagine yourself as present in the scene.  There’s a great resource from the Jesuits in the U.K. if you are interested in learning more: https://www.jesuit.org.uk/spirituality/imaginative-contemplation

The basic steps of Ignatian Contemplation are: 

1.) Imagine the Place
What is the location? How does it look? What details do you see?

2.) Engage your Senses
What do you see, smell, hear, taste, and touch in the scene?

3.) Let the scene play out
Allow the action of the story to unfold as if you are watching a movie, though you are part of the movie! Imagine that you are a character within the story watching the scene unfold before your eyes.

4.) Open your heart to Jesus
Have a conversation with Jesus as if you are speaking to a friend. Express what is on your mind and heart. Listen for how Jesus may respond.

5.) Reflect on your experience
As you take time to reflect on the experience, what did you think and feel? Did anything change the way you see God, yourself, or others? 

I was thinking about Ignatian Contemplation when looking at images in the news from Israel and Palestine.  As I shared, this spiritual practice stems from engaging with Bible stories.  Though I wonder in these increasingly divisive and complex days if this could be a way to imagine ourselves in someone else’s shoes.  The images were so moving and powerful.  Israeli hostages freed and reunited with loved ones.  Palestinian prisoners freed and reunited with loved ones.  Though the scenes unfolded differently in the West Bank and Gaza and Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.  Perhaps imagining how we would think and feel if we were part of those scenes helps further our compassion for one and all.  

Love,
Pastor Lauren

Photo by Parrish Freeman on Unsplash

Thursday Thoughts 10/16/25