Completeness
Here is the first collage and transcript: the theme of ‘Completeness’ has been taken from the group’s discussion.
“So, we shared our stories, our experiences, of making our oblations, and we kind of shared them and then looked for a common theme. And the common theme was completeness, so we’re moving, we’re really all moving towards, towards completeness. This one here was about being sort of almost compartmentalised, bound to it, but now with God and more completeness, the oblate is here, and enjoying that much more that she can draw on in life, so that’s that one. This one is sort of about how God draws so many different people … diversity at its best, because God just loves everyone, so that’s about that, and completeness, and drawing people together. This is about God as the foundation, and, in travelling towards completeness, this oblate has travelled a lot more as a consequence, and has had lots of people being really supportive towards her in life, and that’s represented by that, and the treasure is God and then this is about again moving towards completeness, being far off and being drawn in, and being drawn in beautifully towards completeness.”
Meditation and Activities
Meditation: Luke 15: 1-10 – The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin
The following thoughts are taken from ‘Interrupting the Silence’ Michael K Marsh.
In these parables, we often make the sheep and the coin the focus, but what if we think of them as parables of completeness, of searching, finding and recovering parts of ourselves. The lives of the shepherd and the woman were complete until they lost their sheep or coin, and not just any sheep or coin, they lost a specific sheep, a specific coin – without them their lives were incomplete, diminished. They were not commodities that could be replaced, but unique aspects essential to a complete life. The shepherd refused to settle for a 99% life, the woman a 90% life, and God does not want this for us: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10).
Consider using Ignatian contemplation / imaginative prayer to engage with the parables, reflecting on what completeness looks like in your life, what you have lost, what you have settled for, and importantly, what you have already found, and when you have persevered and found yourself.
Other Scriptures for Meditation, perhaps using Lectio Divina
James 1:4 (NRSV) And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.
Philippians 1:6 (NRSV) I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ
Hebrews 13:21 (NRSV) make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, as he works among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whim be the glory forever. Amen.
Art Activity and Meditation: Completing a drawing or painting
Andy Warhol: Do it yourself (Violin) 1962
This link will take you to a painting by Andy Warhol that appears to be incomplete. It is based on the ‘painting-by-numbers’ popular in the 1960s, and the viewer appears to be invited to finish it!
One suggestion is to reflect on our lives as incomplete paintings: How much freedom do we have? Do we create? Can we complete ourselves? What if we allow God to complete us? What are the implications of thinking of ourselves as ‘painting-by-numbers’?
Another suggestion is to take the photo of this group’s collage, match the transcript statements to the different elements, and then add your own words, drawings etc. to complete it.
Music / Dance meditation: Way Maker (Leeland)
The words of this song reflect on God always being with us, and is our “Way Maker” to completeness. The first link is simply the song to listen to, perhaps following one of the other meditations, whilst the second link is a dance version from Nextgen Dance Academy. If you copy any of the moves (they can be done sitting down), reflect on what your body is saying about our ‘dance’ with God towards completeness.
