Meditation for Sunday 20 March
... from the readings of the day:
... the whole multitude of his disciples
began to praise God aloud with joy ...
Luke 19:37
BETRAYAL
Betrayal has been coded into our DNA. Literally. It is most often seen in our little lies of self-protection, or when we lie to make ourselves look good.
Our protective mechanisms, survival instincts hard-wired by 40 million years dodging threats and defeating enemies, always demand we protect ourselves. And suddenly - before we realise - we have denied the person we most love and admire three times.
Peter, man of action, willing - maybe even eager - to draw his sword and strike, was snared by a serving girl with words that might make him an easy scapegoat for the soldiers.
No-one's proud of it, don't mean it, just happens.
But it wasn't the kiss of betrayal - a much more cynical act.
And it wasn't the betrayal of tired bodies at the end of a long and emotion-filled day, suddenly at rest in a garden.
And it wasn't a betrayal hidden by darkness and the swarming bloodlust of the pack.
Peter's survival instincts take over his thinking: regret it, weep, make up for it for the rest of your life. Easy.
And there are two crowds in action this week, or maybe one crowd with two faces.
One - in the light - welcoming Jesus, smiling, spreading palms, singing blessings and praise, hoping for one of their own to stand up to the priests and make trouble for the occupying army; a charismatic spokesman making them forget poverty.
They welcomed Jesus in daylight, but later in the week, chanted his death in darkness and shadows.
We might have been there: lazy, going with the flow, on the wagon with a band (always better than in the wagon with the bars!).
A crowd often turns human beings created in the image of God into faceless puppets: too lazy to think, too cowardly to stand alone, too motivated by stereotype and fear to make ethical decisions, enthralled by the bloodlust of the hunt.
We thank God there was third group, almost a congregation. Luke notes them: within speaking distance, not hiding wrapped in ego, just there. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him.
We thank God there is a place for us this week, maybe with Peter (near but ruled by fear), certainly not with Judas, we pray not with the Passover night pack - but maybe standing quietly, steadfast, true, grieving: the congregation on the way to Calvary.
Betrayal has been coded into our DNA. Literally. It is most often seen in our little lies of self-protection, or when we lie to make ourselves look good.
Our protective mechanisms, survival instincts hard-wired by 40 million years dodging threats and defeating enemies, always demand we protect ourselves. And suddenly - before we realise - we have denied the person we most love and admire three times.
Peter, man of action, willing - maybe even eager - to draw his sword and strike, was snared by a serving girl with words that might make him an easy scapegoat for the soldiers.
No-one's proud of it, don't mean it, just happens.
But it wasn't the kiss of betrayal - a much more cynical act.
And it wasn't the betrayal of tired bodies at the end of a long and emotion-filled day, suddenly at rest in a garden.
And it wasn't a betrayal hidden by darkness and the swarming bloodlust of the pack.
Peter's survival instincts take over his thinking: regret it, weep, make up for it for the rest of your life. Easy.
And there are two crowds in action this week, or maybe one crowd with two faces.
One - in the light - welcoming Jesus, smiling, spreading palms, singing blessings and praise, hoping for one of their own to stand up to the priests and make trouble for the occupying army; a charismatic spokesman making them forget poverty.
They welcomed Jesus in daylight, but later in the week, chanted his death in darkness and shadows.
We might have been there: lazy, going with the flow, on the wagon with a band (always better than in the wagon with the bars!).
A crowd often turns human beings created in the image of God into faceless puppets: too lazy to think, too cowardly to stand alone, too motivated by stereotype and fear to make ethical decisions, enthralled by the bloodlust of the hunt.
We thank God there was third group, almost a congregation. Luke notes them: within speaking distance, not hiding wrapped in ego, just there. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him.
We thank God there is a place for us this week, maybe with Peter (near but ruled by fear), certainly not with Judas, we pray not with the Passover night pack - but maybe standing quietly, steadfast, true, grieving: the congregation on the way to Calvary.
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".
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, Luke 19:35-38
So they brought it to Jesus,... and/or read Luke 23:20-23
threw their cloaks over the colt,
and helped Jesus to mount.
As he rode along,
the people were spreading their cloaks on the road;
and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives,
the whole multitude of his disciples
began to praise God aloud with joy
for all the mighty deeds they had seen.
They proclaimed:
“Blessed is the king who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest.”
Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus,Focus on a significant word or phrase in this passage or the meditation for a few moments.
but they continued their shouting,
“Crucify him! Crucify him!”
Pilate addressed them a third time,
“What evil has this man done?
I found him guilty of no capital crime.
Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.”
With loud shouts, however,
they persisted in calling for his crucifixion,
and their voices prevailed.
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 TRUE or ALONE.
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.
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