Month: March 2019

Posted on

Mar 31 to Apr 6: Jesus . . . IX. Falls Third Time; X. Stripped; XI. Nailed to Cross

 Reading: Walk With Jesus, Chapter IX, X, XI (pages 55-72)

It has been another week of deep and meaningful sharing with rich and supportive comments being exchanged among the members of our Lenten community. It’s a blessing for all of us–those actively posting and those present in silence–to walk with Jesus among the vulnerable this Lent.

This week we are brought closer and closer to the suffering Jesus. First we see him from a distance as he falls. Then our focus narrows and we observe him being stripped and personally exposed.  Finally, we zoom in on his hands and feet and can almost feel the pain and anguish as he is nailed to the cross.  All this really happened in Jerusalem nearly 2000 years ago and it is right that we recall it today. As Henri and Sr. Helen David continue to make clear,  Jesus’ suffering has not ended and it continues in the lives of God’s people in our world.

In the ninth station we come upon a man who has stumbled and fallen in the city, and it could be your city. He has extended his hand in loneliness seeking assistance. It is a most human gesture; it can be life-giving if  met by an outstretched hand in response or it can lead to despair if people ignore the plea for help. In the background, a man walks by. Will he help?  Next we meet a woman who, although covered by a blanket, suffers the true nakedness of having lost her dignity. Jesus willingly accepted the loss of his dignity on Calvary to show us the immense compassion of God’s love. Where can we bring compassion to others? Finally, we encounter a suffering man dying alone, his difficult and painful life coming to an end. Yet, this man is at peace. He has given everything and has done the best that he could in his trying circumstances. Jesus gave everything on the cross so that this man, and all of us, can have hope in living and in dying. How can we live our lives so that our dying brings hope to others?

We have three beautiful paintings and meditations to ponder. Perhaps the comments and questions above may get you started.  Or you might want to refer to the reflection guide below.  And, as always, it is most important that you follow the prompting of the Spirit, wherever it may lead.  Please share with the group whatever is on your heart to the extent you are comfortable.  We look forward to hearing from many of you as we continue our Lenten journey this week.

Here in Maryland the daffodils and forsythia are in full bloom; in Washington the cherry blossoms are reaching their peak. Although it is still Lent, the changes in nature remind us we are we are heading toward Easter, a time of resurrection and joy.  May you be blessed this week.

Peace and all good.
Ray

Reflection Guide:
Henri follows a threefold approach at each Station. First, he places us in Sister Helen David’s picture. He then transports us to Jerusalem to join Jesus on his way to Calvary. Finally, Henri challenges us walk with Jesus and to build God’s Kingdom here and now.

At each Station (or in each chapter) you might:

  1. Ponder on Sister Helen David’s drawing.  Take note of your observations, impressions, reactions, and any questions that my arise.
  2. Read Henri’s reflection.  How does Henri’s reaction to the drawing compare to yours?  Does Henri’s description of Jesus’ suffering at this Station give you new insight into your life and faith journey? How do you respond to Henri’s challenge to walk with Jesus? What concrete steps will you take and when?
  3. How you will respond? Carefully (prayerfully) consider how your heart responds to the insights gained during your reflection. Are there small steps you can take to incorporate these insights to strengthen your spiritual life
Posted on

Mar 24 to Mar 30: Jesus . . . VI. Meets Veronica; VII. Falls Second Time; VIII. Meets Women of Jerusalem

Reading: Walk With Jesus, Chapter VI, VII, VIII (pages 37-54)

It is a joy to be sharing this Lenten journey with such Spirit-filled companions in a warm, supportive, and compassionate community. Thanks to each of you for being here, those who are posting comments and those walking with us in silence.  As we begin this week, I would ask that we pray for Ernie’s grandson Luke and his family and all the other intentions that we hold quietly in our hearts.

This week as we continue to walk with Jesus on the way to Calvary, we encounter an anguished woman whose husband has disappeared without explanation, a desperate farmer losing his way of life due great economic forces, and women weeping over the destruction of their people, their land, and and their homes due to war and violence. As tragic as each of these situations would be on their own, each one also calls to mind the many uncounted similar situations occurring every day in countries around the world.

Clearly, we live in a world where there is often great pain and suffering.  Yet Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (Jn 10:10) Henri’s reflections that that link Sr. Helen David’s contemporary images to Jesus’ way of the cross help us to reconcile these seemingly insurmountable differences. As Henri writes in Jesus Meets Veronica, “Jesus looks at me and seals my heart with the imprint of his face. I will always keep searching (for a new life), always waiting, always hoping. His suffering face does not allow me to despair.” (p.42)

How have these reflections given you greater insight into the paradox of a world of both great pain and suffering and one of abundant life? Jesus also says, “I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (Jn 10:11)  Does the image of Jesus as the good shepherd who lays down his life aid in reconciling this paradox.  Why or why not?  In addition to considering these questions you may refer to the reflection guide at the end of this post.

These questions and the reflection guide are simply offered for your consideration. They may or may not be helpful.  It is much more important for you to follow wherever the Spirit leads you as you reflect on Sr. Helen David’s images and Henri’s meditation. Regardless of how you get started, please share with the group whatever is on your heart to the extent you are comfortable.  We will all be enriched by your thoughts and insights.

May our discussion flower and be fruitful during this first full week of spring.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Peace and all good.
Ray

Reflection Guide:
Henri follows a threefold approach at each Station. First, he places us in Sister Helen David’s picture. He then transports us to Jerusalem to join Jesus on his way to Calvary. Finally, Henri challenges us walk with Jesus and to build God’s Kingdom here and now.

At each Station (or in each chapter) you might:

  1. Ponder on Sister Helen David’s drawing.  Take note of your observations, impressions, reactions, and any questions that my arise.
  2. Read Henri’s reflection.  How does Henri’s reaction to the drawing compare to yours?  Does Henri’s description of Jesus’ suffering at this Station give you new insight into your life and faith journey? How do you respond to Henri’s challenge to walk with Jesus? What concrete steps will you take and when?
  3. How you will respond? Carefully (prayerfully) consider how your heart responds to the insights gained during your reflection. Are there small steps you can take to incorporate these insights to strengthen your spiritual life
Posted on

Mar 17 to Mar 23: III. Jesus Falls 1st Time; IV. Jesus Meets Mary; V. Simon Helps Jesus

Reading: Walk With Jesus, Chapter III, IV, and V  (pages 19-36)

On Saturday afternoon I re-read all of the comments that were submitted last week.  It was a gift and a blessing to read the deep and insightful comments.   I want to thank those of you who have shared and those reading and following along silently for joining us on this Lenten journey. A number of wonderful comments were posted on Saturday; if you haven’t read them yet, you can find them here or by clicking on the Mar 10 to Mar 16 link under Recent Posts in the right margin.

During this second week of Lent, through the artistry of Sr. Helen David, we meet a little Vietnamese boy alone in the world, a Nicaraguan mother who has lost her son to violence, and two men carrying stones to build a hut in Bangladesh. Contemplating the little boy Henri writes, “Nowhere is our fallen humanity set before us as in these little children” as he reminds us that Jesus calls us to be like little children. For Henri, the Nicaraguan mother represents “thousands of women all over the world who keep offering peace instead of war, hope instead of despair, forgiveness instead of revenge” as did Mary, the Mother of Jesus.  The two men in Bangladesh are working together to carry a burden that would be too heavy for either to bear alone and, as Henri writes, “are celebrating their shared humanity and so preparing a new home.”  While the specific details may differ from those in these reflections, there are countless situations of injustice, loneliness, poverty, and suffering that exist in our world today and call for our prayers and compassion.

This week as you consider Sr. Helen David’s image and Henri’s reflection, you are encouraged identify similar contemporary situations. What makes the situations similar? Did the painting and reflection give you a deeper understanding of the current situation?  Are you better able to see God’s presence in today’s world, even in difficult situations?  What small changes might you consider in your life in response to these situations?

You are encouraged to share your reflections and insights with the group to the extent you are comfortable.  You may find it helpful to consider the questions above or to refer to the reflection guide below.  Regardless of how you get started, please share whatever is on your heart.

I look forward to another week of fruitful reflection and discussion.

May the Lord give you peace. (Greeting of St. Francis of Assisi to those he met.)
Ray

Reflection Guide:
Henri follows a threefold approach at each Station. First, he places us in Sister Helen David’s picture. He then transports us to Jerusalem to join Jesus on his way to Calvary. Finally, Henri challenges us walk with Jesus and to build God’s Kingdom here and now.

At each Station (or in each chapter) you might:

  1. Ponder on Sister Helen David’s drawing.  Take note of your observations, impressions, reactions, and any questions that my arise.
  2. Read Henri’s reflection.  How does Henri’s reaction to the drawing compare to yours?  Does Henri’s description of Jesus’ suffering at this Station give you new insight into your life and faith journey? How do you respond to Henri’s challenge to walk with Jesus? What concrete steps will you take and when?
  3. How you will respond? Carefully (prayerfully) consider how your heart responds to the insights gained during your reflection. Are there small steps you can take to incorporate these insights to strengthen your spiritual life