Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 34

Meditation for Monday 14 March
... from the readings of the day:

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side. 

Psalm 23:4

Today's other readings feature men with authority misusing their power and authority, and their innocent victims relying on the Lord ...

PSALM 23

The Lord knows me and loves me, guides and 
protects me.

The Lord is my lord, and gives me all I need
each day in bread and insight. The Lord quenches
my resentments: brings peace to my heart and mind.
I feel love and joy in all I see: my spirit soars.

The Lord knows me and loves me, guides and 
protects me.

My Lord guides me and opens my ears. Even in
the droughts of my life, I reap peace.
Evil people conspire against me, but I trust in my
Lord standing strong beside me. I rely on my God.

The Lord knows me and loves me, guides and 
protects me.

I see enemies plotting, but my spirit is at peace;
communion with the Lord blesses and protects me,
graces bubbling over. Each day of my life I listen
for my Lord, living always secure in my Father's mind.

The Lord knows me and loves me, guides and 
protects me.

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 23

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side. 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. 

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side. 

He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. 

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side. 

You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side. 

Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come. 

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.

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 SHEPHERD or PROTECT.

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 10

Meditation for Friday 19 February
... from the readings of the day:

... leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:24

We are one in the body of Christ.

But we seem to survive separately, 
waiting for our final end, standing alone,
foretelling others' attack, believing they scheme
and sharpen weapons for our destruction.
Life, alone in our minds, is our nightmare of hell.

   I trust in the LORD; 
   my soul trusts in his word.
   My soul waits for the LORD, 
   more than sentinels wait for the dawn.

When I am at peace with my brothers and sisters,
I am at peace with myself. Only then 
do I have the serenity to share myself with God.
Without peace I am a being of fears, replaying
angry movies of destruction and isolation, 
when I try to bring the gift of myself to the altar.

   I trust in the LORD; 
   my soul trusts in his word.
   My soul waits for the LORD, 
   more than sentinels wait for the dawn.

I will build our unity, and stand strong against 

envy and resentment, regrets and inferiority.

All are attacks on my peace and on my links with God.

I will wash away my jealousies, 

and cleanse my soul from every barrier 

to my brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.

   I trust in the LORD; 
   my soul trusts in his word.
   My soul waits for the LORD, 
   more than sentinels wait for the dawn.

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 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, Matthew 5:23-24

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar. 

Go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

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

What word of phrase 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 ONE or the word PEACE.

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.

Meditation: Psalm 5

Listen to my words, O Lord, and hear my prayers. 

Listen to my cry for help, my God and king! 

I raise my hands to you, O Lord; you hear my voice in the morning;

at sunrise I offer my prayer and wait for your answer. 

Because of your great love you reveal 

yourself to me in these moments of beauty 

and still perfection.

You come to me in your creation. 

I have enemies in the world - but 

they never damage me as my internal demons.

Lord, I resist my distractions and resentments, 
but I call on your help.

Help me deflect my anxieties and fears;

to put to one side thoughts of doom, 

lies to separate me 

from my people and my creator. 

Lord, give me a mind rooted in affection 

and compassion so that your path for me

remains clear and well signposted.

In your love

lead me to do your will; make your way plain for me to follow.

Help me cling to your love and constancy.

I know my false steps - but too

I know that you see me at my birth 

and as the sun sets on my arrival. 

My spirit finds safety in you - my heart lifts in joy.

Protect me. Guide me and all who seek you

my God; your love enfolds me and holds me
and makes me shine. 

Suggestions for meditations
Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you.
Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.
David had plenty of external enemies - but had to fight his internal demons all his life: his hungers and ambitions and the tension between what he could get away with as God's chosen and all-powerful king, and the deep certainties of his heart.
If you would prefer a Bible reading I suggest Psalm 5.
You can begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds.
Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with the phrase Guide me. Every time you drift off the word, gently remind yourself and come back to it ("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.