In this episode Iffa Willis is joined by Sian Short and Alice Hall as we discuss the idea of fascination, and the story of the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple.
Scripture
Luke 2:22-40
Image
In our conversation we reflected on two images:
Anna & Simeon by Jan Van’t Hoff
http://www.atelierjanvanthoff.nl/wp-content/gallery/bijbels/15591-001.jpg
Simeon’s Moment by Ron Dicanni
https://www.tapestryproductions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Ron-DiCianni-Simeons-Moment-1.jpg
Music
We have a Spotify playlist to accompany the podcast. This will grow with each episode. Check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/46HvR2rtPn1TwP6QPvDc8o?dl_branch=1&si=PIZ_r5jyQMup6Ril5h8O-A
Quotes from Popes
https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2009/november/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20091121_artisti.html
“Beauty can become a path towards the transcendent, towards the ultimate mystery; towards God” Pope Benedict 16 2009
“Too often the beauty thrust upon us is illusory and deceitful, it imprisons man within himself and further enslaves him; depriving him of hope & joy” Pope Benedict 16 2009
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2020/documents/papa-francesco_20200201_omelia-vitaconsacrata.html
“There is always the temptation to have a worldly gaze, one devoid of hope. But let us look to the Gospel and see Simeon and Anna: they were elderly, alone, yet they had not lost hope, because they remained in communion with the Lord. Anna “did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day” (v. 37). Here is the secret: never to alienate oneself from the Lord, who is the source of hope. We become blind if we do not look to the Lord every day, if we do not adore him. To adore the Lord.
Pope Francis 24th Day for Consecrated life 2020
https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1999/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_23041999_artists.html
https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/speeches/1965/documents/hf_p-vi_spe_19651208_epilogo-concilio-artisti.html
Journaling Prompts
PAUSE to GAZE
What are you fascinated by? What am I giving my attention to? What takes your gaze away from the Lord? What helps you to gaze upon the Lord? Why is my gaze on this thing that fascinates me?
GAZED UPON
When people encounter you, what do you think they’ll notice about what you’re fascinated by?
GAZING ON THE WORD
Spend some time reflecting on the account of Jesus’ Presentation at the Temple (Luke 2:22-40).
What word or phrase stands out to you in particularly? What might God be trying to say to you through this word or phrase or this Scripture as a whole?
Get in touch
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Support
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The next Beloved retreat is taking place 11th-13th February. At the time of writing places are still available. Bookings for the follow up Desired retreat in June are now open too, for those who have already attended a Beloved Weekend. Visit https://sioncommunity.org.uk/adults/ for more information and to register.
