Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 41

Meditation for Monday 21 March
... from the readings of the day:

I have grasped you by the hand

Isaiah 42:6

In an incredible moment of extravagance in a country
sunk in poverty, Martha's sister Mary is yet again
lost in the moment with Christ, lavishly
pouring exotic Eastern oil on Jesus' feet.

Do not fear for I am with you;
do not be dismayed,
for I am your God, who gives you strength;
I will help you always.

More than Judas would have been confounded by
Mary's extravagant thoughtlessness, but all breathe
air rich in the musky memories of far-off
places, palaces and wealth, and death.

Do not fear for I am with you;
do not be dismayed,
for I am your God, who gives you strength;
I will help you always.

As the world watched the arrival in Jerusalem,
Jesus scouring the Temple, Passover, betrayal, trial
and crucifixion play out, waves of the lingering
scent from Mary's hair filled their house and prayer.

Do not fear for I am with you;
do not be dismayed,
for I am your God, who gives you strength;
I will help you always.

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, John 12:1-5,7-8

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany,
where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served,
while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him.
Mary took a pint of costly perfumed oil
made from genuine aromatic nard
and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair;
the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples,
and the one who would betray him, said,
“Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages
and given to the poor?”
So Jesus said, “Leave her alone.
Let her keep this for the day of my burial.
You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

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

Is there a word or 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 LOVE or the phrase LOST IN JESUS.

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.