Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 44

Meditation for Thursday 24 March
... from the readings of the day:

This day shall be a memorial feast for you: a pilgrimage to the Lord.
Exodus 12:14


WASHING FEET WITH PETER
I came to bring you to Life. You think you are alive, but you walk in dreams. That is not the Life you were born for. You need to wake up.

You cannot come to Life unless you can sacrifice each of the things in yourself you think define you. You will Live only when you can take into your heart your crosses, your shames and poverties.

You must be humble; let go your pride and wash feet with me. You think your little list defines who you are, and why you are loved. God knows you are so much more. Let go your rank and stature; they are unheeded shackles, worn so long you think they are part of you! Kneel with me.

I will show you how to be born again, how to be resurrected into a full new Life. 

You must be your Father's little child - not rapt in your own glory beginning to think you are all-powerful, knowing all. I am on my knees washing your feet, my friends, so that you stay my friends and do not become my worshippers, pushing me away - no longer one of you. We are brothers and sisters: what I do, you can do - you must do - to gain Life.

I submit to whips and thorns, pain and shame so that I do not become the angry man leading a revolution of spears and swords and breaking. I go tonight to those who hate me and show them, and you, that I love them. I forgive them. They too are my brothers and sisters. 

My cross, my death, will set me free and give me Life - will show you how to free yourself too, and how to wake the world. 

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 13:1-8 ... 

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father.
He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.
So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power
and that he had come from God and was returning to God,
he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.
He took a towel and tied it around his waist.
Then he poured water into a basin
and began to wash the disciples’ feet
and dry them with the towel around his waist.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered him,
“Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with 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 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.