A PRAYER FOR THE SEASON OF LENT (from Celebrate God’s Presence)

O God, we come in worship wanting to be true disciples as we walk the Lenten road with Christ.
But we falter: Are we there yet?
God, you have called us to be pilgrims.
But we falter: Are we there yet?
We grow weary of the journey, and seek the security of what we know, rather than the open road.
But we falter: God, forgive us.
We are afraid that the risk of the journey is too great.
But we falter: God, forgive us.
Holy God, grant us pilgrim spirits, we pray. Forgive us, heal us, and renew us. Lead us to the new life of Easter. Amen.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Some churches celebrate this day as Palm Sunday, marking the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to face his final days on earth (Matthew 21:1-11). “Hosanna” translates Greek and Hebrew words of praise that mean “save now, we pray.”

Other churches observe today as Passion Sunday, marking the beginning of the trials and suffering Jesus endured during those final days. The term “Passion” is used to encompass the events of Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, trial, suffering, and crucifixion. Matthew 26:14 to 27:66 forms the passion narrative.

The scripture readings for Passion Sunday pull us into the movement of Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter Sunday). We begin with the “Triumphal Entry” of Palm Sunday, and move through the emotional roller coaster of denial, betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion. The intent of this movement is to help us prepare for the Good News of the Resurrection. In order to fully appreciate Easter, we need to be fully present to the events leading up to it.

I invite you to consider how you will best experience that progression, using one or more of the following paths.

Whichever path you choose, begin with a short prayer (such as the one above), read the passage, and reflect quietly on the passage. Close with a prayer of thanksgiving for the time spent.

Path 1: Online Worship

Check the St. David’s website (stdavidsleduc.com) for a worship service you can watch at home. Or, follow one of the links provided on the “COVID-19" page to watch a service at another United Church. I also plan to post on-line reflections for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Path 2: Read the Gospel of Matthew, Chapters 1 to 27
If you have a couple of hours, you could read the entire Gospel of Matthew. Take your time as you read, and pause along the way to reflect on the various experiences and encounters. Remember to stop at the end of Chapter 27, to save the Resurrection for Easter Sunday.

Path 3: Read the Gospel of John, Chapters 1 to 19
Similarly, if you have a couple of hours, you could read the entire Gospel of John, which follows a different time-line than the other three Gospels. Take your time as you read, and pause along the way to reflect on the various experiences and encounters. Remember to stop at the end of Chapter 19, to save the Resurrection for Easter Sunday.

Path 4: Read the Gospel of Matthew, Chapters 17 (or 21) to 27
This should take half an hour or so, allowing some time for pauses and reflection.

Path 5: Daily Readings
This path involves setting aside some time each day in Holy Week, preferably at the same time, to help form a habit. You could incorporate a walking meditation (see Path 5) after reading the scripture, selecting a short phrase from the passage you just read.

Sunday, Apr. 5--- Matthew 21:1-11
Monday, Apr. 6 – Matthew 21:12-27
Tuesday, Apr. 7 – Matthew 21:27-46
Wednesday, Apr. 8 – Matthew 26:1-56
Maundy Thursday, Apr. 9 – John 13:1 to 17:26
Good Friday, Apr. 10 – Matthew 26:57 to 27:56
Holy Saturday, Apr. 11 – Matthew 27:57-66

Path 6: Walking Meditation
For some background material, read the article (link: Walking Meditation.pdf, or below) by the Rev. Sharon Moon, who also provided this guided meditation.

Close your eyes … Become aware of this body-self that is you, as you come to meditation today … Focus on your breath … Notice the pattern of your breathing … as it moves in … as it moves out … Notice how fast are you breathing … Notice whether you are breathing deeply or shallowly … Notice where your body moves when you breathe … Is the movement in your chest, or in your belly?..

Watch your breathing for a few minutes and notice any changes that occur … You may find that just attending to your breath will allow you to relax … As you focus and breathe let your breaths become slower and deeper … Let your body relax and move to a sense of peace …

Notice where your body is sore or tense … Imagine the breath moving to that place … and gently massaging the tightened knots of tension … or fear … or anger … Simply allow the breath to open up your body so that your life energy can flow freely … You are preparing yourself for prayer …

As you focus on your breathing … you may notice thoughts coming and going … Just notice the thoughts, and then let them go … You may want to imagine them as clouds floating across the horizon, or have some other image that allows you to let them go … As thoughts arise, gently return your focus to your breath … Notice the space that opens inside you as you relax … as you gradually come into your sacred centre …

Ask God to bless your walking meditation and to use it for your highest good of mind, body and spirit …

Choose any one of the following scriptures, or any other short scripture that you would like to focus on. Repeat the phrase about 5 times slowly, then get up and move. As you walk, allow the scripture to resonate in your mind … in your body … in your spirit … and in your experience.

“The earth is full of your goodness, O God.” Ps. 33:5

” You show me the path of life, O God. In your presence there is fullness of joy.” Ps. 16:11

“Be still and know that I am God.” Ps. 46:10

” You turn a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. Ps. 107:35

[Jesus said,] “I have come that you might have life, and have it abundantly” John 10:10

“With you is the fountain of life.” Ps 36:9

When you feel ready to stop, thank God for being present during your walking meditation.

 

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