Welcome to this guided meditation based on Mark 16:1-8, in joyous anticipation for Christ’s resurrection. Find a comfortable seated position, and take a deep breath in. As you exhale, let go of any tension in your body. Take another deep breath, and as you exhale, release any worries or distractions. Allow yourself to be fully present in this moment.

Listen to the sacred words within this scripture:
16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Imagine yourself standing outside the tomb where Jesus was laid. Picture the stone that was rolled in front of the entrance, sealing it shut. This stone represents the finality of death, and the weight of sorrow and loss. Take a moment to acknowledge any stones in your life – challenges, fears, doubts – that feel heavy and burdensome.

Now, imagine the women approaching the tomb. Preparing to anoint Jesus' body, they are carrying spices. They are coming to honor him and to show their love and devotion. As they draw near, they see that the stone has been rolled away. The tomb is open, empty.

Reflect on the moment when the women hear the words of the angel: "Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been raised! He is not here. See the place where they laid him."
Consider the significance of these words. Jesus is not in the tomb. He has conquered death. He has been raised to new life. The stone has been rolled away, not to let Jesus out, but to show that he is already gone. The tomb is empty, which is a sign of hope and resurrection.
 
As you sit with this image, imagine the weight of your own stones being lifted. Imagine the possibility of new life, of transformation, of resurrection. Allow yourself to experience the joy and wonder of Easter morning, when the world was changed forever by the power of God's love. Carry this sense of hope and resurrection with you. Know that the stone has been rolled away, and new life awaits.
 

I hope you have enjoyed these guided medications during this season of Lent. My regular weekly reflection will resume next week. May God’s grace and peace surround you as we live our lives as if we truly believe in the resurrection.

​*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. 

Welcome to this guided meditation, inspired by Mark 11: 1-11 in anticipation for Palm Sunday. Let us take a moment to center ourselves and open our hearts to the message within these sacred words.

11 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this: ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5 some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They told them what Jesus had said, and they allowed them to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple, and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.*

Let us reflect on the word "untie.” The colt that Jesus needed was tied down or bound. Jesus instructed for the colt to be untied, so he could use the colt for his purposes.

Have you ever felt tied down? Perhaps Jesus has wanted to use you for a special purpose, yet life seemed to keep you bound to other things. Maybe you felt limited due to your schedule or responsibilities, or maybe your physical challenges make you feel as if Jesus couldn’t use you. Consider what it would mean to release the bonds that bind your heart.

What could you do if you were set free from these challenges? Jesus can untie the knots of your heart. 
Imagine Jesus standing before you, gently untying the cords that bind you. With the slip of each knot, embrace the freedom that comes with being unbound.

May we walk with Jesus and say yes when he says that he needs us.

 *New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. 

Welcome to this guided meditation, drawing inspiration from John 12: 20-33. Let us take a moment to center ourselves and open our hearts to the message within these sacred words.

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew, then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say: ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.*

In this passage, Jesus speaks of his impending death on the cross and the purpose it serves. As he is lifted up on the cross, he will draw all people to himself. He says, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." The word "glorified" here speaks to the divine purpose and fulfillment of Jesus' mission on earth.
As we meditate on the word "glorified," let us consider what it means to surrender ourselves to the divine and embrace the fullness of God's glory or purpose for our lives.

What are the areas of your life where you struggle to see God's glory shining through? Is it in moments of suffering or uncertainty? Is it in times of grief or loss? Is it in the midst of challenges or trials?

Allow any doubts or fears that may be clouding your vision to surface. Make no judgments about these thoughts or feelings. Release them to God. Invite the light of God's glory to illuminate your path. Imagine the radiance of divine glory or presence surrounding you, filling you with peace and reassurance.

What have you done in the past when you struggled to see God’s glory? Did you wait for God to return? Did you surrender your inability to hear or see? Did you seek God through prayer and study or sit in quiet contemplation? Could those things help you now to embrace the fullness of God’s glory?

May we be reminded of the beauty and majesty of God's glory, shining brightly in the darkest of times. May we open our hearts to receive the streams of light to enter the darkness. May we praise God for all of God’s glory. 

*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. 

Welcome to this guided meditation, inspired by John 3: 14-21. Let us take a moment to center ourselves and open our hearts to the message within these sacred words.

John 3:14-21:
14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned, but those who do not believe are condemned already because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”*
 
In this passage, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the transformative power of belief. He says, "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." The word "believe" is central to this passage. It is a call to trust in the divine presence and to embrace the light that shines in the darkness.

As we reflect on the word "believe," let us consider what it means to have faith in the midst of uncertainty and doubt. What are the areas of your life where you struggle to trust in God's presence and guidance? Is it in times of adversity or suffering? Is it in moments of decision or transition? Is it in the face of injustice or conflict? Where do you struggle to believe? Take a moment to reflect on these questions in the quietude of this sacred space. Allow yourself to acknowledge any doubts or fears that may be weighing on your heart, and invite the light of God's love to shine upon them.
 
As you breathe deeply and center yourself in the presence of God, imagine the light of Christ surrounding you and filling you with warmth and reassurance. The peace that comes from Christ is something that we can believe in. The certainty of this belief has the power to transform us.

With each breath, feel the peace that comes from trusting in God's promise of eternal life. Allow yourself to let go of any doubts or uncertainties, and surrender to the truth that God's love never fails.
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As we conclude this meditation, may we be reminded of the power of belief to transform our lives and illuminate our path. Trusting in God's unfailing love and grace, may we walk in the light of Christ.

*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.