This week we are considering the 2nd temptation of Jesus in the desert as we walk the labyrinth. Do you
have easy access to a Labyrinth that you could walk? If not, you
can take this Link to a finger Labyrinth that you can download and print: PDF File/Labyrinth. If you prefer, here is a link to an online virtual labyrinth. If you didn't experience the text through Lectio Divina last week, you may want to take this link: Lenten Lectio 2
before considering the text as you walk the Labyrinth. If not, you may
simply want to read the foundational text and let the words embrace you
as you read.
When you are ready, read Matthew 4:5-7 from The Message:
For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, “Since you are God’s Son, jump.” The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: “He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone.” Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: “Don’t you dare test the Lord your God.”
Jesus has been on a 40-day spiritual journey in the desert, just as we are in the midst of our own 40-day Lenten journey. He is tested 3 times and each time, he responds to the "test" with words from the Jewish scriptures. These words are his "Lanterns in the Desert."
Jesus relies on Deuteronomistic history of Moses and Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. As Jesus relived the tests of his ancestors, we live these same tests in our daily lives. The 2nd test that Jesus encounters in his own wilderness wanderings is what I call "control." Satan is calling upon Jesus to take control of his own life. It is quite a dare-devilish thing to do, to throw oneself from a building to see if God will act ... in effect, "testing" God.
Take a few moments to think about your life and your desire to control the things in your life. Have you ever bargained with God. In the past, I have said this kind of prayer ... God if you will just do this for me, I will go to church every week for a year! Have you?
Now, settle into a place of loving openness within yourself with a simple Breath Prayer. Use this one or allow one to emerge as you breathe in and breathe out for 5-10 minutes.
Breathe in ... God, my Refuge
Breath out ... Let me enter your Rest
Pray: Holy God, your Word is my light and my lantern! Sometimes I feel like I am wandering in the desert with Jesus, struggling with the same issues he is confronting. Help me to accept my struggles as a chance to grow closer to you. Amen.
When you are ready, read Matthew 4:5-7 from The Message:
For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, “Since you are God’s Son, jump.” The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: “He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone.” Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: “Don’t you dare test the Lord your God.”
Jesus has been on a 40-day spiritual journey in the desert, just as we are in the midst of our own 40-day Lenten journey. He is tested 3 times and each time, he responds to the "test" with words from the Jewish scriptures. These words are his "Lanterns in the Desert."
Jesus relies on Deuteronomistic history of Moses and Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. As Jesus relived the tests of his ancestors, we live these same tests in our daily lives. The 2nd test that Jesus encounters in his own wilderness wanderings is what I call "control." Satan is calling upon Jesus to take control of his own life. It is quite a dare-devilish thing to do, to throw oneself from a building to see if God will act ... in effect, "testing" God.
Take a few moments to think about your life and your desire to control the things in your life. Have you ever bargained with God. In the past, I have said this kind of prayer ... God if you will just do this for me, I will go to church every week for a year! Have you?
Now, settle into a place of loving openness within yourself with a simple Breath Prayer. Use this one or allow one to emerge as you breathe in and breathe out for 5-10 minutes.
Breathe in ... God, my Refuge
Breath out ... Let me enter your Rest
Pray: Holy God, your Word is my light and my lantern! Sometimes I feel like I am wandering in the desert with Jesus, struggling with the same issues he is confronting. Help me to accept my struggles as a chance to grow closer to you. Amen.
Jesus carries Jewish scripture in his heart as his Lantern in the Desert. Allow yourself to be drawn deeply into God’s Presence as you read and pray and listen for the whispers of God through the text. "Read" Deuteronomy 6:16, Exodus 17:1-7 slowly. Imagine yourself as one of the Israelites wandering in the desert. What do you hear? What do you see?
You must not test the Lord your God as you did when you complained at Massah ... At the Lord’s command, the whole community of Israel left the wilderness of Sin and moved from place to place. Eventually they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water there for the people to drink. So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded. “Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?” But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!” The Lord said to Moses, “Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you. I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on. Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not?”
Read the passage again. Is there a word or phrase that captures your attention as you read? It may even be an image that will emerge for you. Perhaps this word or phrase or image will shine light into your life. Let it illuminate your life as you walk the labyrinth and "Reflect" on what you are hearing.
When you are on your way, turn your word or phrase or image over in your mind. Let God speak into your heart as you listen. Take time to "Release" anything that emerges that you need to let go of in order to move on in your prayers.
Come to a time of pause … at the center of the Labyrinth or wherever you are. Take time to "Receive" and welcome God's word for you. Consider these questions or others that may arise in your time of pause: Where is God speaking into my desire to control my life and make things go my way ... through my word, phrase, or image? How is my life touched by the word of God today?
As you walk or move out of the center along the same path you took that brought you to your pause, know that you are gaining strength for your continuing journey of life. How is God inviting me to see myself differently? How is God calling me to trust more deeply? As you walk, take the time to "Respond" to God ... it doesn't have to be in words, it may be in a body prayer or in simple silence or ... however it seems right to you!
As you reach the end of the Labyrinth pathway, it is time to "Rest" in the silence of God's Presence. Allow God to light your lantern in the desert with simplicity and healing grace.
Simply BE with the God who always hears your prayers.
Be aware that you may find a desire to express what you have received. This is a wonderful time to journal. Write about your experience, thoughts, feelings, and insights. Some persons find that God’s voice is clarified through the writing process.
To end your time of Labyrinth Prayer, stand a the edge of the Labyrinth and repeat the lectionary Psalm 95 for it is another Lantern in the Desert!
O come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
The sea is his, for he made it,
and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
O come, let us worship and bow down,
O come, let us worship and bow down,
let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture,
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice!
Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,
when your ancestors tested me,
when your ancestors tested me,
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
For forty years I loathed that generation and said,
For forty years I loathed that generation and said,
"They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they do not regard my ways."
Therefore in my anger I swore, "They shall not enter my rest."
Therefore in my anger I swore, "They shall not enter my rest."
Amen ...
If art is a pathway to God for you, you may want to gaze upon the image below and engage in Visio Divina with it...
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Receive the Image ... Take a deep breath and gaze with soft eyes and a receptive spirit. After receiving, close your eyes and reflect by allowing your imagination to form that image in your consciousness ... what are you receiving from God through the image? How does this illuminate your life right now?
Respond to God ... Now take a deep breath and gaze with soft eyes and a grateful spirit. How do you sense yourself desiring to respond to God through the image you have received? What would you say to God about what you are hearing, seeing, feeling? Allow yourself to pray with gratitude ...
Rest in God ... Now take a deep breath and rest ... notice how your body feels. Is there something more here? Then go back and repeat your "gazing" prayer. If you feel that you have received all you need in this moment, simply rest in the silence and come to a place of shalom, peace, wholeness ...
To end your time of Visio Divina ... Join Jesus in lifting up his Lantern in the Desert:
Don’t you dare test the Lord your God.
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