Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 43

Meditation for Wednesday 23 March
... from the readings of the day:

I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving
Psalm 69:31


Man of Sorrows 1

You people, you who who yearn in your hearts for 

the Lord, to you I speak. To you whose hearts long 
for peace, for completion, for home, for you who 
are weary of shadows and masks: only to you I come. 

My word is a bell to awaken you that my psalm may 
sing in your heart and dance among your dreams.

My song is not my own: the whole universe resounds 
in harmony. The Lord sings to me each morning 
when I wait; the Lord has given me ears to hear
God's song - and a voice to sing God's words. 

My word is a bell to awaken you that my psalm may 
sing in your heart and dance among your dreams.

Rely only on the Lord. Listen to the Lord's words in 
your heart and walk in the light first made. Rebuff 
your thoughts that seem to light your path: they are 
flares that blind, their shadows hide stones to trip. 

My word is a bell to awaken you that my psalm may 
sing in your heart and dance among your dreams.

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, Isaiah 50:4-5

The Lord GOD has given me
a well-trained tongue,
That I might know how to speak to the weary
a word that will rouse them. 

Morning after morning
he opens my ear that I may hear;
And I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.

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 LIGHT or SONG.

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.