This meditation is based on the story of Jesus' passion on the cross. It follows the story as it is found in the Book of John, Chapter l9.

We ask ourselves: why? Why was it necessary that our Lord should have to be sacrificed in order to save mankind? It seems like such a waste; not just the waste of a human life but of a life that could have taught us so much more, had He only been given a chance. Here was the greatest opportunity in the history of mankind for the human race to learn directly from God and what did we do? After less than three years of ministry we crucified Him. Why? Man is an intelligent being. He can think and reason. Why does he kill that which is good and beneficial? It makes no sense at all.

In order to help you to understand the sacrifice and the glorification of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, this Meditation is designed to have you experience the passion of the cross with feeling and compassion. To feel the deepest meaning as it affects your own inner spiritual growth and life.

I would ask you now to relax and be comfortable and journey with me to Israel at the time of our Lord's crucifixion and death. Picture your self in Jerusalem. See yourself walking among the people as you wend your way through the adobe style homes, and past the temple towards the distant hills. Your footsteps are taking you out of the city and up towards the place called Golgotha, the place of the skull.

As you climb the rock strewn path, you see the sky is dark and cloudy, and you sense an air of sadness all around. A small knot of people is standing huddled on the hillside. And then you see three crosses in their midst. Slowly, you approach the fringe of the group, and as you look intently at the crosses you see men hanging from them; the two men on the sides are gripped in pain and mournful soul wrenching moans issue forth from their pain-racked bodies. You shrink back from the sheer horror of what you see there before you. But then you see the man in the center, and He is smiling down at you. He has a look of peace and strength about him and his eyes shine like pure love is emanating from their depths. Above His head you see a sign written, "Jesus the Nazarine, The King of the Jews." As you look at the grace and beauty of the man you feel that truly He is a King, and more than just a King, He is the Lord of all mankind, the Christ, The Messiah, The Son of God.

He seems to be oblivious to the pain that surely must be coursing through his hands and feet and air starved lungs, and as He sees the fear and horror in your eyes He says, "Fear not, little one, I have come into this world for this purpose; that you might be saved." How can this be? How can He be so concerned with my feelings and our miserable selfish condition when He hangs there in such a pitiable state? Then looking round He sees a woman who is filled with grief and pain, a woman whom He knows so well, His mother, Mary. And seeing the hurt she is suffering for His sake, He gently tells her to look to John His beloved disciple; and He kindly asks John to protect her as he would his own mother. John says, "yes, of course Lord, I will care for her."

A heavy sigh escapes His lips and barely able to speak, He asks for a drink of water. The cruel soldiers soak a sponge in sour wine, mixed with gall, and force it to His lips, but He refuses to take into his dying body any foul thing, as He is nearing the point of His glorification and His body will soon become Divine.

With one last sigh He says, "It is done," and from His body His Soul rushes forth to be one with the Divine Soul which is the Father. His head droops down and there is no life to be seen in the empty shell that once contained the vibrant life of God and man. His side is pierced and the stream that once was lifeblood seeps from the wound and down His waist, so that an ancient prophecy might be fulfilled.

The sky rolls out a peel of thunder and the earth trembles as if it had been struck a mighty blow and is calling out in fear. But the body of Christ does not stir as the spirit is gone and soon it will be taken down, to be anointed with myrrh and aloes and placed in a tomb. And there it will await the final resurrection and total union with the Divine.

Lord; I am so sorry that we are such course unfeeling beings, that we cannot recognize you when you come into our presence. We are so blind in so many ways and yet you offer us your unconditional love and truth even though it pains you to see our wretched condition. Forgive us Lord, for the hurt and pain we caused you as we drove the nails through your hands and feet, and raised you on the cross. Forgive us for the humiliation we subjected you to when we scourged you and mocked you with robes of purple, and placed a crown of thorns upon your brow. We know now that the shame and the humiliation are ours and not yours. Yet even now today, we continue to disrespect and abuse your Divine Love and Divine Wisdom as it manifests itself in our lives; in the lives of unborn babes and in the poor and the weak, and the sick and the oppressed. Still we continue to abuse and ignore your Divine Word, which is so beautiful in the way it can guide us and support us and teach us to live with one another in harmony and peace. Lord, we pray that your love will reach the hard hearts of mankind and soften them so they will dream of peace and not of war.

Lord Jesus, help us to understand that evil is nothing but the absence of good and falsity is naught but the absence of truth, and where love and truth reigns in the hearts of men, then evil and falsity, with its pain and sorrow cannot abide and soon departs; and what is false and foolish cannot affect the mind that rests in you.

Oh Lord. Reach out to me and take me in your arms, enfold me with your love, and clothe me in your truth. I love you Lord. I am so thankful for every act of love that I can share, and I feel so blessed with all I have. Be with me God, for now and evermore. Amen

Meditation on the Resurrection of the Lord

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