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.

Pilgimage to Easter: Day 39

Meditation for Saturday 19 March
... from the readings of the day - the Feast Day of St Joseph:

It was not through the law but through the righteousness that comes from faith.

Letter to the Romans 4:13
  

Joseph didn't know what he was in for - but he was 
a good man, a sensitive man, able to hear advice and
accept help. It is his humility that astounds us: not  
standing once on pride or the claims of role.

Where most would feel let down, betrayed, hurt, 
blaming, his response seems always to have been 
quiet acceptance, and care for others. There is 
no hint of anger, censure, or even disappointment.

We know so little. Was he a hard worker? an active 
father? church-going? political? a good carpenter? 
We just don't know - but any one so unjudging, so 
supporting, so aware will be trusted, heard and loved.

Saint Joseph, thank you for your life. Pray for us.

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, Matthew 1:18-20

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.”

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 FAITH or HUMBLE.

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 21

Meditation for Tuesday 1 March
... from the readings of the day:

But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received;
Daniel 3:39

Before you I stand, head bowed, palms open, feet 
bare on holy ground. Waiting. Remembering.

My brother is myself. I am washed ashore dead 
or near, fleeing hatred, or greed, or persecution.
Will you carry my body, bathe my wounds, feed me?

Before you I stand, head bowed, palms open, feet
bare on holy ground. Waiting. Remembering.

My sister is myself. I am sold or stolen to work 
in factories, houses, brothels. No escape.
Will no-one love me, hug me, play with me?

Before you I stand, head bowed, palms open, feet
bare on holy ground. Waiting. Remembering.

The deformed beggar is myself, not employable,
not loveable, dirty, alone, angry or desperate.
Will you catch my eye, touch my hand, speak to me?

Before you I stand, head bowed, palms open, feet
bare on holy ground. Waiting. Remembering.

My colleague, neighbour, parishioner is myself, knows 
everything, interrupts, all about himself, herself.
Will your eyes smile when you share peace with me?

Before you I stand, head bowed, palms open, feet
bare on holy ground. Waiting. Remembering.

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, Matthew 18:32-35

Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.  

His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ 

Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.

Focus on a significant word or phrase 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 word EMPTY or TRUST.

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 16

Meditation for Thursday 25 February

... from the readings of the day:

Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. Jeremiah 17:5

We grow like trees: struggling, rooted 
in the lava field, or we flourish in good soil
near the running stream.
Rooted in God and love, or
trusting in myself, my own strength and grit.

The rich man was not doomed. He was in hell because he relied on himself: in his mind he'd become
all-powerful, all-knowing, all-controlling: god.
God was irrelevant to him: 
he relied on the power of his wealth and position.

We each make our choices: humble before God, or gradually becoming a god, trusting 
the complete power of my wealth and my class.
Rooted in God and love, or
trusting in myself, my own status and strength.

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, Luke 16:19-24

Jesus said to the Pharisees: There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. 

And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scrapsthat fell from the rich man’s table. 

Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. 

When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. 

The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 

And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’

Focus on a significant word or phrase 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 word CHOOSE or the word 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.