Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 21

Meditation for Tuesday 1 March
... from the readings of the day:

But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received;
Daniel 3:39

Before you I stand, head bowed, palms open, feet 
bare on holy ground. Waiting. Remembering.

My brother is myself. I am washed ashore dead 
or near, fleeing hatred, or greed, or persecution.
Will you carry my body, bathe my wounds, feed me?

Before you I stand, head bowed, palms open, feet
bare on holy ground. Waiting. Remembering.

My sister is myself. I am sold or stolen to work 
in factories, houses, brothels. No escape.
Will no-one love me, hug me, play with me?

Before you I stand, head bowed, palms open, feet
bare on holy ground. Waiting. Remembering.

The deformed beggar is myself, not employable,
not loveable, dirty, alone, angry or desperate.
Will you catch my eye, touch my hand, speak to me?

Before you I stand, head bowed, palms open, feet
bare on holy ground. Waiting. Remembering.

My colleague, neighbour, parishioner is myself, knows 
everything, interrupts, all about himself, herself.
Will your eyes smile when you share peace with me?

Before you I stand, head bowed, palms open, feet
bare on holy ground. Waiting. Remembering.

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 now, and 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 18:32-35

Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.  

His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ 

Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.

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

Is there a word of phrase that 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 EMPTY or TRUST.

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.