Pilgrimage to Easter: Day 37

Meditation for Thursday 17 March
... from the readings of the day:

Yahweh brought his people out with joy, God's chosen ones with shouts of triumph.

Psalm 105:43

Psalm 105 
God keeps promises through all of history 

Yahweh brought his people out with joy, 
God's chosen ones with shouts of triumph.

Our Lord plants us here, waits the ages for the 
sapling to grow, then grafts to us the root of 
covenant, a seal of holiness, and waits again ...

Yahweh brought his people out with joy, 
God's chosen ones with shouts of triumph.

The Lord watches the small tree flourish, providing 
water, manure, carefully pruning wayward branches,
tenderly loving us, forgiving us, cherishing us.

Yahweh brought his people out with joy, 
God's chosen ones with shouts of triumph.

Serve the Lord at all times remembering the good 
things God has given, the miracles won, the many,
many times our God has forgiven us when we asked.

Yahweh brought his people out with joy, 
God's chosen ones with shouts of triumph.

The Lord knows us and watches the ages as we grow 
to our God. Our God holds us, our world, our whole 
universe in being, but still waits patiently, for us.

Yahweh brought his people out with joy, 
God's chosen ones with shouts of triumph.

Our Father loves the work of his hands, remembering 
his promises, waiting a thousand generations as we 
thrive and grow, patiently waiting for us to bloom.

Yahweh brought his people out with joy, 
God's chosen ones with shouts of triumph.

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 105:4-9

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations –
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

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 PROMISE or COVENANT.

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.