Last evening was the first of three Journey Bible Classes I'm leading, Spiritual Disciplines: Meditation on the Cross. Thomas Merton notes: "True contemplation is not a psychological trick but a theological grace." The practice of meditation from a Christian world view centers on Jesus. It's not merely a pathway to relieving stress or sorting through anxiety (although the scriptures attest to the beyond-understanding peace that comes through Jesus).
As any spiritual discipline, the goal of practicing meditation is not to become "good" at meditating. As Richard Foster puts it, "What happens in meditation is that we create the emotional and spiritual space which allows Christ to construct an inner sanctuary in the heart."
The goal is spiritual transformation. The goal is a paradigm shift that impacts our living, behaviors, thoughts and attitudes. It's intended to help us shift from our myopic focus on the stuff in our lives that so easily distorts and distracts and defines us to a focus on Jesus' kingdom agenda where we experience intrinsic worth and value; where we shift from self absorption to selflessness.
In the class we considered prayers from the passion of Christ, that can be used as centering prayers as we meditate on Jesus, allowing him to meet with us personally. For those who have not begun a regular reading of the passion week of Christ's betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and burial, here is a schedule of reading that will allow you focused meditation on the cross for these few weeks leading up to Easter.
- Thurs, March 12: Matthew 21.1-11
- Fri, March 13: Mark 11.12-14
- Sat, March 14: Mark 11.15-18
- Sun, March 15: Luke 20.1-8
- Mon, March 16: Mark 12.1-44
- Tues, March 17: John 12.2-11
- Wed, March 18: Matthew 26.14-16
- Thurs, March 19: Mark 14.10-11
- Fri, March 20: Luke 22.3-6
- Sat, March 21: Matthew 26.17-29
- Sun, March 22: Mark 14.12-25
- Mon, March 23: Luke 22.7-20
- Tues, March 24: John 13.1-38
- Wed, March 25: John 14.1-16.33
- Thurs, March 26: Matthew 26.36-46
- Fri, March 27: Mark 14.32-42
- Sat, March 28: Luke 22.40-46
- Sun, March 29: Matthew 26.47-27.26
- Mon, March 30: Mark 14.43-15.15
- Tues, March 31: Luke 22.47-23.25
- Wed, April 1: John 18.2-19.16
- Thurs, April 2: Matthew 27.27-56
- Fri, April 3: Mark 15.16-41
- Sat, April 4: Luke 23.26-49
- Sun, April 5: John 19.17-30
- Mon, April 6: Matthew 27.57-66
- Tues, April 7: Mark 15.42-47
- Wed, April 8: Luke 23.50-56
- Thurs, April 9: John 19.31-42
- Fri, April 10: Isaiah 53
