Pilgrimage to Easter: Fifth Sunday of Lent

Meditation for Sunday 13 March
... from the readings of the day:

Return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful. 

Joel 2:13

HE SAID TO ME: "GO AND SIN NO MORE"

Live! Go, and sin no more. This is something new.
Each one of us has dark moments of shame and guilt 
in the past: the past is behind you. Live each moment 
of your future in the light. Go home. Start anew.

Turn again to me with your whole heart; for I am kind and merciful.

Let go your anger for betrayal, and your Father 

will wash you clean of guilt and blame, fear and anger.
Put your life of accumulation and pleasures behind 

you. Step away - take your next step to new life.

Turn again to me with your whole heart; for I am gentle and merciful.

Your past is a path already walked, a wandering path
without your deliberate aim or choice. Walk on.
This is something new, a new life, a new way to live. Go home. Start anew. I am with you.

Turn again to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.

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 8:6-11

Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.  

But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them,
“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 

Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. 

And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. 

So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her,
“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 

She replied, “No one, sir.” 

Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

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 NEW or FORGIVE.

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 32

Meditation for Saturday 12 March
... from the readings of the day:

   

Then each went to his own house.

John 7:53

I stand bound to my brothers and sisters: 

we thrive or fall together!

We think we stand alone: separate beings, separate
destinations, living solitary lives in separate houses.
We believe we think singly, make private decisions, and act alone, creating our own paths. 

I stand bound to my brothers and sisters: 

we thrive or fall together!

Too many stand alone, believing they are alone,
not understanding our unity in the incarnation, or our intimate connection as the body of Christ. 
Even religious people think they are saved separately.

I stand bound to my brothers and sisters: 

we thrive or fall together!

Pharisees manipulate words, people, history, thinking
they control events, believing they limit effects to
others, often too late in seeing that their own 
house stands alone at the top of a house of cards.

I stand bound to my brothers and sisters: 

we thrive or fall together!

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 7:45-53

So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees,
who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?”
The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.”
So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived?
Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?
But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.”
Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them,
“Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him
and finds out what he is doing?”
They answered and said to him,
“You are not from Galilee also, are you?
Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” 

Then each went to his own house.

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 phrase ONE or UNITY.

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: Your word is a lamp to my feet (Psalm 119)

Blessed are all alert to the word of God,

who seek God with all their hearts,
who are always aware of their Creator's dream, 
and walk the ways of our God!

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

With my whole heart I seek you;
let my mind not wander from you!

Open my eyes, that I may always see
your lamp lighting the path to my home.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

I am a passer-by on the earth;

a stranger here, observing human ways, 
seeking always your milestones, searching 
for signposts to direct me to my home.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

Your hands have made and fashioned me, 

you informed my mind, taught my heart to love;
give me in-sight that I may walk your path.

I am yours; guide me, I walk your road barefoot.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

Each of us hears your command, sees your path, 

if we but open our eyes and ears. 
The path is lit, the map is clear.
Boldly walk on, the way is straight. 

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

Let my soul live and praise you,
and your rules guide my way.
Distracted, I may miss my step, but your word
will guide my feet and always light my way.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

Psalm 119 is a long acrostic poem, each stanza beginning with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. I have not attempted this. This psalm is focused on the best-known verse, and, like the real psalm, is a song thanking God for his word and guidance.

Suggestions for meditation
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.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a Bible reading I suggest Psalm 119, 105-112

Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
    to keep your righteous rules.
I am severely afflicted;
    give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
    and teach me your rules.
I hold my life in my hand continually,
    but I do not forget your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
    but I do not stray from your precepts.
Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
    for they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes
    forever, to the end.

1. Read this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.
2. What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?
3. Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
4. Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the word LIGHT. 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.