Matthew 26:17-22 * *

Contemplation with Scripture

step one

I prepare myself for prayer.
I remember that God is here.

step two

I read the gospel story:

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?”  He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, “My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”  So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.  When it was evening, Jesus took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?’ (Matthew 26:17-22)

step three

I picture the room where the story takes place.
I ask God to speak to me through the story.

step four

I imagine that I am one of the people at the table.

What do I see?
What do I smell?
What do I feel?
What do I taste?
What do I hear?

I remain there in the scene.

conclusion

I respond to God in my own words.
I take time to rest in God.

* * Feeding Judas, a woodcut by P. Solomon Raj (from The Christian Century, February 17, 2016).  A Lutheran pastor, Raj is director of St. Luke’s Lalitkala Ashram in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India.