These meditations create a reflective journey from Advent to the end of the year. They have been written to help the reader slow down for a few minutes each day and find a time for silence and reflection.
The centuries old pattern for guided meditations known as “Lectio Divina” meaning “Divine Reading” forms the frame for the meditations. They follow the four stages for silent meditation: Reading the Text; Reflecting on a key word or sentence; Responding with mind and heart to the written reflection; Praying “God & I”.
Each meditation takes about 10 minutes out of a 24 hour day (which has 1440 minutes in it). Clear a little space each day and let silence flow through as you reflect. Although the meditations are seasonal the reflections raise issues that we encounter throughout the year. Therefore there is no reason as to why they cannot be used out of season as well.
The meditations can also be used at group meetings. By following the same process a group can become centered in quietness before a main activity begins. Members of the group may take turns to read aloud the Scripture portion, the reflections and the prayer. They may be encouraged to share some of their insights or thoughts that were triggered by the reflective segments.
The Bible passages used are from the Contemporary English Version (CEV). The language is user-friendly and can be understood by readers and speakers of English as well as by those to whom English is a second learned language.
© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera
For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.
When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.
The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.