"Frälsarkransen" (Swedish)
A Spiritual Lifebuoy, a little Rosary.
Texts by Claes-Georg Hansson
This is a tool for tactile prayer, reflection and meditation.
It was invented by the Swedish bishop Martin
Lönnebo.
The first version was given to us in 1996 and
is now widely used in Scandinavian countries.
In the bishop's own words it is meant for
spiritual exercises
in
"Courage in facing life, zest for life, self-control and a life close to
God".
The word "Frälsarkransen" in Swedish
refers to
a Lifebuoy, which is
to be used when needed.
(The "Frälsar"-part of the word has
also – in Swedish –
some interpretational connection to Our Lord
and Saviour).
This spiritual Lifebuoy contains 18 pearls, each
of which has a special meaning.
The pearls can be used either in continuous
order or separately (in relation to content).
I have written a few
usable thoughts and quotations
as a start for your own reflections and prayers.
You may charge the
pearls with many other suitable thoughts,
which are of value to you.
The golden pearl representing GOD
You are the Triune God:
You are boundless
You're the closest
You are Light
and I am Yours
Amen
A pearl of Silence
This is a pearl for meditation.
It is meant for the
"in-between-moments" you need in life.
The pause is important.
Look at the sentences "God
is nowhere"
and "God is now
here".
What is the difference?
Yes, the interval, the pause,
which changed the feeling of an absent God into
the God who is present.
"For in him we
live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28)
The pearl about me (and the human race)
This is a small pearl to remind me of our place
in the creation.
We are small. We are just one part of it all.
But we are precious in the eyes of God.
He created us in his own image!
When feeling this pearl between your fingertips
you can reflect about human dignity and
responsibility,
and pray for compassion and empathy.
The pearl about baptism and a new beginning
When a child (or an adult) is baptised. Grasp
this pearl and pray:
"Watch over him/her and
me and keep him/her and me safe from harm!"
This is the pearl also for regenerating.
Use it in your prayers for committing yourself
and your life to God.
Over and over again.
"Lord, if you want
to create a new miracle,
recreate myself into a decent person!"
A pearl of Silence
The desert pearl
Sometimes we live like in a desert.
Here I face the trials of life, the fight and
the everyday struggle for life.
I have to live it through. I can't avoid the
desert of life.
I become aware of the temptations, my
shortcomings, my doubts and fatigue.
Sometimes I hurt others. Often I fail in my
good intentions. I feel dirty and full of scars.
Oh, Lord, I live as if in a desert!
I can grasp the desert pearl and pray:
Lord, cleanse me – that I will be clean!
Heal me – that I will be whole!
Draw me tight to you – that my soul will find
peace!
A pearl of Silence
The pearl of Lightheartedness and Happiness
Touch this pearl often. You need it!
It is said that "fear not", and other expressions with the
same meaning,
are mentioned 365 times in the Bible.
That is one such encouragement for each day of
the year!
May this thought be in your heart and in your
thinking
that every day God is telling us not to fear!
Pray for lightheartedness in your life.
"Don't worry – be happy!" and thankful!
A pearl of Silence
The pearl of the Love we receive
This is the place were we thank God for his
infinite love.
Thank him for the greatest gift of all (John
3:16)
in which he has shown us the fullness of his
love.
This is also the place to give thanks to the
Lord for every gift of love through others
– for everything in my life – for life itself.
The pearl of the Love we give
"Freely you have
received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8).
The love we have graciously received,
we are as Christians duty-bound to pass on to
our neighbour.
”Christ has no body on
earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through
which he is to look out Christ’s compassion to the world.
Yours are the feet with
which he is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with
which he is to bless men now.”
(Teresa of Avila)
Pray that you will discover all the
opportunities
you have to be a tool of Gods love to others.
Three Secret pearls
In the secret pearls you store all your prayers
and wishes
that are for nobody else to know but God.
These are your innermost dreams and hopes.
Just touch the pearls. God knows.
"Even before a word
is on my tongue You,
O Lord, know it
altogether" (Psalm 139:4)
The Night pearl
Go to – and go through – the black night pearl
in times of darkness in your life.
Here you can cry out: "Why?!" and
say: "I don't understand!"
Similarly, Jesus went through a night pearl
type experience and cried:
"My God, my God,
why hast thou forsaken me?"
But God did not forsake Jesus – and he will not
abandon you.
He is still there and he creates the
anticipation of light.
"Blessed are those
who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
(Matthew 5:4)
A pearl of Silence
The pearl of Resurrection
THANK GOD!
This is morning light after darkness!
Springtime after winter!
Sunshine after rain!
A new beginning in life!
This is the resurrection from the dead!
(Surrexit Christus, alleluia!)
A pearl of Silence
GOD
"Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord almighty,
who was, and is, and is
to come."
(Revelation 4:8b)
Go to:
http://www.andiesisle.com/Blessings.html