Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 38

Meditation for Friday 18 March
... from the readings of the day:

The LORD is with me, like a mighty champion. Jeremiah 20:11
  

THE STONE 
The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. John 10:31

This stone - forged in the fires of Creation, touched 
by the Creator - might have been used to close a 
corner in a wall or house, might have whirled from 
David's sling, been kicked by kids, hurled at wolves;

... now gripped and arched back by a threatened 
man, eyes wide, face hardened with anger and hate. 

In future this same immortal stone might skip 
over water, be shaped as an arrowhead, be 
aggregated into concrete to build a church or a 
road, or be divided polished and worn, but is today

... still gripped and arched back by a threatened 
man, eyes wide, face hardened with anger and hate. 

In future this same immortal man might sing in 
prayer, become renowned for his poetry or 
woodwork, become a gentle father and begin a 
shining dynasty. But today he holds the stone

... still gripped and arched back by a threatened 
man, eyes wide, face hardened with anger and hate. 

   

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 10:31-33 

The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus.
Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father.
For which of these are you trying to stone me?”
The Jews answered him,
“We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.
You, a man, are making yourself God.”

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 ANGER or the phrase CHILD OF GOD.

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.

Pilgrimage to Easter - Day 29

Meditation for Wednesday 9 March
... from the readings of the day:

Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.

Isaiah 49:15

Psalm 145

Our Creator made us each with care and great love.

Remember first: our God made us and loves us. 

Our God expects us to make mistakes and grow.

Our God, our loving parent, wants the best for us,

forgives us instantly, smiling indulgently as we learn.

Our Creator made us each with care and tender love.

Our God does not lead us into temptation 

or try to trick us. The holiness of our Creator 

is always kind, picking us up when we stumble,

hugging us tight when we fall or cannot cope.

Our Creator made us each with care and healing love.

Our God is always fair, always our loving God.

Our God never manipulates us or plays games - but knows us better than we know ourselves, 

is closer to us than we are to ourselves.

Our Creator made us each with care and intimate love.

 

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, Psalm 145

R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.

The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.

R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.

The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.

R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.

The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.

R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.

Focus on a significant section 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 phrase LOVING FATHER or MY GOD.

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.