Staying with 4th Sunday reading. Read in full here Matthew 1:18-25
“Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.“ Matthew 1:19
Joseph incarnated mercy during a time in history when he could have been a j To be merciful is “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” Before Joseph gets an angelic message in a dream, he can choose mercy, and he does. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 NASB) Mercy is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and practicing mercy embodies the Spirit of Christ. Oh, how we need prayers and practices to help us!
“Jesus, have mercy” is a breath prayer that prays in me continuously. Everywhere I look, everything I read and hear, I’m calling on the merciful presence of Christ. Sometimes it’s a bit longer. and deeper breathing—”Have mercy on us and on the whole world.” Breathing this prayer keeps me from choosing other responses that would be much LESS helpful. 😉
Practice Merciful Presence through Breath Prayer. Breath in mercy for yourself and exhale mercy to the people you want to judge or punish.
Breath in
Have Mercy on Me
Breathe out
And on the whole world
*A 2016 study revealed a neural circuit in the brainstem that seems to play the key role in the breathing-brain control connection. The circuit is part of what’s been called the brain’s “breathing pacemaker” because it can be adjusted by altering breathing rhythm (slow, controlled breathing decreases activity in the circuit; fast, erratic breathing increases activity), which in turn influences emotional states.
Take a deep breath” is solid advice; research suggests that slowing your breathing can help regulate blood pressure via your heart rate. The study evaluated the “Relaxation Response,” which refers to a method of engaging the parasympathetic nervous system to counteract the nervous system’s “fight or flight” response to stress.”
Go ahead and practice your breathing and watch mercy triumph over judgement.
(For more short practices with Breath Prayer click here.)
Lord have mercy,
Clare
BONUS
On our Advent 2020 Vlog, Dr. Kelly Wright, Enneagram Style 8, helped us unwrap the presence of mercy. As a pastor, spiritual director, and therapist, Kelly has devoted her professional life to helping people find Christ, who is Mercy personified. As an Enneagram teacher, she gives us a way to see ourselves and others in Merciful Presence.
All guests are Alumni of ©iEnneagram Certification Program
Connect with Dr. Kelly Wright
Kelly.Wright@vu.com
VeteransUnited.com
Veteransunited.com
Vufaith.com
LOUGHRIGE SOURCES AND RESOURCES
- Scott and Clare’s Enneagram books here Enneagram Personality Styles, Motions of the Soul, and Spiritual rhythms for the Enneagram.
- New to the Enneagram? Learn more here.
- Scott and Clare’s Enneagram and Christianity Podcast
- BECOME A CERTIFIED ©iENNEAGRAM PRACTITIONER
*Taken from Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram by Adele Calhoun, Doug Calhoun, Clare Loughrige, and Scott Loughrige. Copyright (c) 2019 by Adele Calhoun, Doug Calhoun, Clare Loughrige, and Scott Loughrige. InterVarsity Press, www.ivpress.com