Beatitudes for the Passion
Spiritual Practices for Eastertide – Wednesday April 13, 2022
Mary Judge – Poptic 19, Flower Mandala
Preparing for Eastertide
Though there will be offerings of hope throughout the 50 days spanning from Easter Sunday to Pentecost, it’s good to prepare our hearts, souls and minds for the journey ahead.
Last week we did the Stations of the Cross. This week we will focus on the light and darkness of death and resurrection with small simple practices.
Peace and Blessings
Marcie
Beatitudes of the Passion
Blessings upon the heart, mind, soul and body of Jesus who realized his own utter helplessness in the Garden of Gethsemane – and so, poured his whole being into God. His prayer soaked in blood and tears—your will, not mine—gave him the resolve to trust God’s guiding light.
Blessings upon the heart, mind, soul and body of Jesus whose heart ached for: Jerusalem’s non-seeing and unknowing; whose heart broke at Lazarus’ tomb; and whose heart split open for all the world’s suffering. Out of his own sorrow, he soothed and united others.
Blessings upon the heart, mind, soul and body of Jesus who allowed himself to be tempted in every way in the wilderness where all the rigid places within him were softened. Infused with humility, he did not retaliate or strike back. By keeping his every vengeful impulse under control, he overcame the world.
Blessings upon the heart, mind, soul and body of Jesus who hungered and thirsted for physical justice, universal rightness, and stability upon the earth more than food and water. In refusing to drink sour vinegar the world offered him, he became—Manna, Wine, Fish, Loaves and Living Water.
Blessings upon the heart, mind, soul and body of Jesus who knew how to get right inside the heart of others so he could better see with their eyes, think with their thoughts, feel their feelings. Such compassionate exchanges, extensions of grace, and unending mercies were the cosmic force that rolled away the rock from his tomb.
Blessings upon the heart, mind, soul and body of Jesus who motives were so absolutely pure that he made a thief a friend and brought him into paradise.
Blessings upon the heart, mind, soul and body of Jesus who invited everyone to sit at at table that he prepared that had no place of honor, but where everyone was could be Abba’s children—and no one wanted to be King, not even Jesus.
Blessings upon the heart, mind, soul and body of Jesus who was conspired against, scandaled and falsely accused, reproached and driven away for no other reason than being the very nature of love. Such a love like this—a love that extends from the earth below to the heavens above—belongs to the cosmos. It cannot be snuffed out. It is forever. It is boundless. It is never-ending.
Benediction
O Spacious God, have mercy on us.
O Creator hear us.
O Lady Wisdom, have mercy on us.
O Spirit, hear us.
O The Anointed Son, have mercy on us.
O Christ, hear us.
Amen
This is a communal practice. Please feel welcome to add your prayers, thoughts, questions or reflections in the comments below.
Shalom.
Reading this on a beautiful Easter Sunday, He is risen, He is risen indeed, Allelulia!