What is Sacred Reflection?
Naming Grace as Sacred Reflection
Sacred Reflection takes its shape from theological reflection. “Theological reflection is a
way of doing theology that starts from the experience of life and leads to searching in
faith, for deeper meaning, and for the living God.” 1 The experience must contain a
“depth dimension,” 2 an experience that points to the presence of God or the apparent
absence of God. Parents as first preachers reflect on the child’s experience to lead “into
that larger world of meaning.” 3
Sacred Reflection begins with an accurate description of the experience, and then asks
critical questions for deeper and richer meaning. This search for theological meaning
continues by recalling scriptural texts, personal and communal stories, as well as
historical events. Utilizing the sacramental imagination, the preacher expands the way we
view the experience. Because every experience holds multiple meanings, the preacher
must determine exactly which meaning to convey. Parents as first preachers apply the
appropriate meaning to the situation, enabling the child to glimpse a new reality or to
create a new possibility—inner peace or joy, a thirst for justice, or increased charity.” 4
Preaching as Sacred Reflection may occur with an event as traumatic as the death of a
loved one or as ordinary as a fight between siblings. A child eventually forms meaning
through a series of experiences and grows in faith as the parent gently and wisely guides
the child in interpreting these experiences through the Scripture.
Naming Grace as Sacred Reflection proceeds through the following steps:
1. Chooses an experience that is particular, current, personal, and meaningful.
2. Garners an accurate description of the experience.
3. Searches for the theological meaning of the experience.
4. Interprets the experience in the light of the story of Jesus.
5. Decides on the one pearl to convey.
6. Anticipates questions.
7. Engages the child in meaningful conversation.
8. Names Grace.
9. Leads the child in worship and action.
Sacred Reflection takes its shape from theological reflection. “Theological reflection is a
way of doing theology that starts from the experience of life and leads to searching in
faith, for deeper meaning, and for the living God.” 1 The experience must contain a
“depth dimension,” 2 an experience that points to the presence of God or the apparent
absence of God. Parents as first preachers reflect on the child’s experience to lead “into
that larger world of meaning.” 3
Sacred Reflection begins with an accurate description of the experience, and then asks
critical questions for deeper and richer meaning. This search for theological meaning
continues by recalling scriptural texts, personal and communal stories, as well as
historical events. Utilizing the sacramental imagination, the preacher expands the way we
view the experience. Because every experience holds multiple meanings, the preacher
must determine exactly which meaning to convey. Parents as first preachers apply the
appropriate meaning to the situation, enabling the child to glimpse a new reality or to
create a new possibility—inner peace or joy, a thirst for justice, or increased charity.” 4
Preaching as Sacred Reflection may occur with an event as traumatic as the death of a
loved one or as ordinary as a fight between siblings. A child eventually forms meaning
through a series of experiences and grows in faith as the parent gently and wisely guides
the child in interpreting these experiences through the Scripture.
Naming Grace as Sacred Reflection proceeds through the following steps:
1. Chooses an experience that is particular, current, personal, and meaningful.
2. Garners an accurate description of the experience.
3. Searches for the theological meaning of the experience.
4. Interprets the experience in the light of the story of Jesus.
5. Decides on the one pearl to convey.
6. Anticipates questions.
7. Engages the child in meaningful conversation.
8. Names Grace.
9. Leads the child in worship and action.
1 Kathleen McAplin, Ministry that Transforms: A Contemplative Process of Theological Reflection
(Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2009), 7.
2 Hilkert, 49.
3 Robert L. Kinast, Let Ministry Teach: A Guide to Theological Reflection (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical
Press, 1996), 2-4.
4 Kinast, 149.
(Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2009), 7.
2 Hilkert, 49.
3 Robert L. Kinast, Let Ministry Teach: A Guide to Theological Reflection (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical
Press, 1996), 2-4.
4 Kinast, 149.