Praying Through Breathing: God Among Us | A Virtual Pilgrimage for Advent & Christmas

Erin shares how an Ignatian practice of prayer breathing centered on the word “among” helped her experience anew the mystery of the Incarnation — Jesus, the Word made flesh, dwelling among us and drawing us into deeper connection with God and one another.

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Transcript

Recently, I started a program offered by the Jesuits of Australia. It involved an ancient Ignatian prayer method called praying by breath. I hoped the practice might help me slow down, to pause, to listen, and to more deeply connect with God.

We started in October, the month of Mary, segmenting each word of the Hail Mary prayer. I’ll try to describe it.

We received a daily video with a beautiful image of Mary and the word of the day. We prayed with one word each day, contemplating that word for three long breaths. Then we concluded the prayer period with the full Hail Mary.

The effort for me was threefold. First, noticing God’s presence and seeking a deeper understanding of the meaning of the word. Next, allowing it to move from my mind into my heart. And finally, carrying the word throughout the day and savoring the feelings that arose during the prayer time.

The prayers were simple, and the experience profound.

A word that has remained in my heart and mind for weeks now is among — defined as amid, alongside, in the company of, or within.

As I reflected upon Mary, who was blessed among women, another verse from Scripture arose in my prayer — from John, chapter one: “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

Jesus, God and man, came into the world and was among multitudes of people. He gathered friends to support him in his ministry, and with them he was eating and drinking, teaching and noticing, healing and feeding and praying.

In my contemplation, I felt comforted and deeply consoled by the way Jesus was — and is — among us. I returned to this word again and again, day after day. In doing so, I felt a deeper sense of gratitude for the people I am blessed to be among: my family, my parish community, health care providers, the Men Retreat House team, Jesuits, volunteers, and retreatants — so many beloved of God.

At the retreat house, we often hear people comment, in surprise, that within the silence of a retreat there is a sense of connection to each other. We witness the act of being among one another in quiet prayer, and how that opens something within us. The sense of belonging to God and to each other can be felt.

It is visceral. We see that being among one another brings out the Christ light in us. What a gift.

Now I invite you to practice this breath prayer with me. The hope is to notice God’s presence, move the word from your mind to your heart, and then carry it with you throughout the day.

For three breaths, we will focus on the word among.

First, let’s return to the Scripture passage:
 “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

Now call to mind an image of Jesus.

Slowly inhale the word among.
Slowly exhale among.

Slowly inhale among.
Slowly exhale among.

Slowly inhale among.
Slowly exhale among.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. And we saw his glory.

Amen.