Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 10

Meditation for Friday 19 February
... from the readings of the day:

... leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:24

We are one in the body of Christ.

But we seem to survive separately, 
waiting for our final end, standing alone,
foretelling others' attack, believing they scheme
and sharpen weapons for our destruction.
Life, alone in our minds, is our nightmare of hell.

   I trust in the LORD; 
   my soul trusts in his word.
   My soul waits for the LORD, 
   more than sentinels wait for the dawn.

When I am at peace with my brothers and sisters,
I am at peace with myself. Only then 
do I have the serenity to share myself with God.
Without peace I am a being of fears, replaying
angry movies of destruction and isolation, 
when I try to bring the gift of myself to the altar.

   I trust in the LORD; 
   my soul trusts in his word.
   My soul waits for the LORD, 
   more than sentinels wait for the dawn.

I will build our unity, and stand strong against 

envy and resentment, regrets and inferiority.

All are attacks on my peace and on my links with God.

I will wash away my jealousies, 

and cleanse my soul from every barrier 

to my brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.

   I trust in the LORD; 
   my soul trusts in his word.
   My soul waits for the LORD, 
   more than sentinels wait for the dawn.

Suggestions for meditation

Always begin by offering your time to God and asking for the grace to grow closer: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time as I reach out to you, and ask that you guide me each day closer to you".

The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!

If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation, try this from one of today's readings, Matthew 5:23-24

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar. 

Go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Focus on a significant word or phrase in this passage or the meditation for a few moments.

What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?

Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.

Then spend 5, or 10, or 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word ONE or the word PEACE.

You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention).

You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds.

After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen.

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock.

At the end thank God, and return to your day.