Lent Meditation Day 23
In this season of lent we think about the life, suffering, and death of Jesus.
A Note from Ruth
These meditations are a reflection of my personal journey through Lent at a time when I was experiencing deep spiritual growth and learning what it means to grow in community as a student at the Academy for Formation and Mission. In part, I wrote them to process my own thoughts, but mainly to share those contemplations, because I felt they were meant to be experienced by others. My hope was to encourage others to go deep, to see God and Lent with a new perspective, and to self-reflect in a way that brings hope.
I find this reflection very real and moving. This man who was also God gave his life to serve and love humanity, all of us, for all time.
The beauty and hope of our faith as Christians is the resurrection. Following the resurrection was the ascension, which means, of course, that Jesus is still alive today. What does it mean in light of that to be followers of Christ in our time? Certainly, it means doing our best to follow the teachings of Christ to love our neighbor and practice radical hospitality, but I think there is more to it than that.
Last night I stood before a beautiful icon of Jesus, with candles all around in the darkened church. I touched the image of Jesus, tracing his hair, his face, and his hands with my fingers. It was an intimate moment, and inside, in my soul, I felt him.
I was reminded that it is these moments of love between Jesus and me and Jesus and you that bring meaning to life. I love the work that I do for God and God’s people, we all have a purpose in life that we value, but the work in and of itself is not enough and is not the point.
Jesus is. Jesus, the one who calls us his friends. Jesus, the one who loves us and walks with us and never leaves us.