Christ Church Rockville Lenten Devotion
Isaiah 50:4-9
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 15:1-47
Materials needed: a Bible, Book of Common Prayer, and writing materials.
Today marks the beginning of the last week of Jesus’ earthly life, the week when crowds turn from eager supporters to blood thirsty opponents, a disciple betrays him, his closest friends fall asleep when he most needs them, others abandon him, one denies him, the religious leaders sink to abuse and slander, the civil authorities become agents of injustice, soldiers beat him, and passers-by hurl indignities. I invite you in this meditation to spend 15-30 minutes giving him what he did not have then, companionship as he turns his face towards Jerusalem. Here is a way to do that. Read Mark 14.1-9, a portion of the text appointed for today. Move through a prayerful meditation on this story in the following way.
- Close your eyes for a moment and become aware of Jesus with you, right where you are. Notice him looking at you with great love, with gratitude for your willingness to be with him. Return the gaze communicating your desire to befriend him however he needs that.
- Ask God to gift you with the ability to enter into the story and be Jesus’ friend.
- Review the story again slowly, pausing as noted, closing your eyes, and letting your imagination gift you with a sensory experience of the scenes.
Read verses 1-2. See the chief priests and scribes…where they are, the looks on their faces, how they are dressed, the sounds of their voices, the gestures they make, the words they speak while looking for a way to arrest and kill him. Close your eyes, imagine.
Read verse 3. Notice what Simon’s house is like, who is there, where people are, what they are doing. What do you imagine they are thinking? Watch and listen as the woman arrives, approaches Jesus, breaks open the jar, and anoints him. How does Jesus respond to this action? What is the woman feeling as she does it? And you? What is your response? Close your eyes, imagine.
Read verses 4-5. Be a participant in the story. As some guests angrily question the woman’s actions and scold her, how are you feeling? Remember your desire to be Jesus’ friend. How do you do that here? Let yourself be engaged, a real presence. Be his friend. Close your eyes, imagine.
Read verses 6-9. Listen and watch as Jesus speaks. On whom do his eyes fall? What gestures does he make? What is the tone of his voice? How are people reacting? Where are you? What do you do and how is it for you to experience all this? How do you befriend him? Close your eyes, imagine. - Let the story close. Return to a one on one time with Jesus as in step 1. Talk with him about all that has just happened. Tell him your thoughts, feelings. Ask your questions. Listen to his thoughts, feelings. Did he sense your friendship? Let him tell you. Close your eyes, imagine.
- Reflect on this meditation. Perhaps write a review of it, especially any Guidance about how to be his friend. What can you do in the next 24 hours, or perhaps throughout the week, that honors this intention? Take a moment as the prayer time closes to pray the collect for Palm Sunday, BCP p.219.