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.

Meditation: Become a passer-by

There was a saying in the early Church, attributed to Jesus, that we must "become passers-by" (Thomas 42). And that fits really well with our preparation for Easter. 
This is the month we remind ourselves that we are spiritual beings and that the little comforts of the material world are, in fact, without meaning. Traditionally we give things up for Lent, mostly to remind ourselves that we can survive very well without our pleasures and luxuries.
Created by a spiritual master, we are not to be a people tied to luxuries, or consumer or material goods. We are window-shoppers, passers-by. We are visitors, tourists, temporary residents. 
We are here on a visa.
We look, maybe admire the craftsmanship, but we know we do not own or possess, and must never treasure. This land was never ours. 
Creation belongs to only one: its creator.
And we need to work to become the person imagined by that Creator; and we do the work because we know that where our treasure is, there will be our hearts too.

Step aside, it is not yours. 
The things we are taught to covet,
nice to touch - but never ours.

Security, bank accounts, best house: 
never ours, but make us believe 
we are safe, secure, need never die.

Be passers-by. Look, use, 
but let them go. When I move on, 
they must stay. Ownership passes. 

Look, but pass it by.


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.
These are things that I have coveted in the past or still. What do you need to make you feel secure and safe?
If you would prefer a Bible reading I suggest Luke 12, 22-34.
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 word Passing-by. 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.