BEGIN
Welcome to the Desert Files meditation for
the third week in Lent.
Sit comfortably in front of your computer, in
a place where you won't be distracted or
interrupted.
Take the meditation as quickly or slowly as
you like, pressing the "MOVE ON" button to go
to the next page.
RELEASE
Take time to do a brief 'body scan':
Starting at the top of your head, and working
down to your feet, breathe 'into' the different
parts of your body, particularly those that are
tense or sore. As you move from one part to the
next, let go of your awareness of the earlier
parts, focusing only on the area that you are
breathing with at the time.
ATTEND
Be present to the sounds of the environment
you are in. As you sit in silence, notice all
the sounds that come into your awareness and
away again, whether near, or far off. Try not
to judge the sounds as pleasant or unpleasant -
they are simply sounds that you are attending
to.
Where is God in the midst of this
soundscape?
READ
Slowly read the following words from the
Christian tradition:
And whenever you
fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites,
for they disfigure their faces so as to show
others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you,
they have received their reward. But when you
fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
so that your fasting may be seen not by others
but by your Father who is in secret; and your
Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do
not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth,
where moth and rust consume and where thieves
break in and steal; but store up for yourselves
treasure in heaven... for where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also.
[matthew chap 6:16-21 nrsv trans]
Read these words again, slowly, and allow one
word or phrase to stand out for you. Reflect on
the meaning and resonance of that word or
phrase for you today.
CONSIDER
Fasting (going without food or giving up
something we enjoy) is a form of self-denial
that some people practice in Lent.
Spiritual disciplines teach us to 'let go' of
the things ('treasures') that we think are
necessary to our life. In letting go, we learn
that some things we thought were very important
turn out to be obstacles to what we truly
need.
Sometimes, what we need to let go of are
internal things - habits of thought or attitude
that have become safe and comfortable but are
actually impediments to growth.
CONTEMPLATE
Take some time to be silent with God now,
for about 5 minutes, or more. Don't think about
anything in particular, just be as open and
attentive as you can.
When you notice yourself thinking about
something, name that thought as something that
you don't need right now. It is blocking the
open heart between you and God. Gently let go
of the thought, and bring yourself back to the
place of simple 'being.'
Don't expect anything to 'happen' during this
period of contemplation. It is enough that you
are here, being still.
RESPOND
Is there a verbal prayer or action that you
want to make in response to your meditation
today?
