Lent Art Station #7-Jesus cares for His mother

And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. (John 19:25-27)

Who is your family? Our families are precious gifts from God, and we should value and care for them under all circumstances. What can you do to show your love to your family?

Lent Art Journey Station #6-Jesus is nailed to the cross

When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:35-37, 45-46)

Jesus raised his voice to God with words from Psalm 22. When we feel the sting of rejection we too must keep in mind the hope and victory that God promises us.

Lent Art Journey Station 5-Jesus is stripped of His garments

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it." This was to fulfill what the scripture says, "They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots." And that is what the soldiers did. (John 19:23-25a)

A prayer suggested by the writings of St. Augustine

Father, we pray on behalf of those

who cannot reach out to you at this moment.

Protect those who are facing adversity.

Strengthen those who need courage.

Keep watch over those who weep.

Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering.

Dear Lord, let the victims of cruelty and oppression

know that you are with them at this moment. Amen.

Lent Art Journey Station 4-Jesus Speaks to the Women

A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us'; and to the hills, 'Cover us.' For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?" (Luke 23:27-31)

The tears of the women were nothing compared with what was to come. How can we assist in giving life to all, developing individual natures and encouraging each person’s inner strength? May the Lord grant us freedom from our selfish concerns and let us join with our sisters and brothers in a partnership of living.

Lent Art Journey Station 3-Simon Helps Carry the Cross

They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means the place of the skull. (Mark 15:21-22)

Jesus always welcomed the help of very ordinary people.  And yet we remember that he said to take up our own cross and follow him. He said something about becoming a servant of all, of putting ourselves last and others first.  Is this what it means to be a servant?  Is this man from Cyrene modeling for us the path of discipleship? How can we be useful to our Lord?

Lent Art Journey Station 2-Jesus Accepts His Cross

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"  They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.  After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:27-31)

Contemplating the suffering which is unbearable to us, and is unbearable to others, too, can produce awake mind, which arises from the compassion that wishes to free all living beings from suffering. (Dalai Lama.) 

Lent Art Journey Station 1-Pilate Condemns Jesus to Die

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so." But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer.Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?" But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. . . .So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." . . . and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. (Matt 27:11-14, 24, 26b)

We find it easy to condemn the moral cowardice of Pilate. Have you ever given into pressure from others to take the easy path rather than the right path?

This is the first piece in a Lent series. Read about the series here.

World Day of Prayer

"In Christ There Are Many Members, Yet One Body" is the message that is constant each year at the World Day of Prayer worship service. I had an opportunity to attend my local worship service on Friday. I look forward to these ecumenical community wide services each year that provide focus on areas of the world that I'm usually not familiar with. This year the focus was on Papua New Guinea and it allowed us to learn about the strength of women and their many needs. The Old Testament focus was the story of Moses being resuced as a baby...women coming together from different cultures and different levels in society to work together for a common goal.

Beyond the message I always look forward to worshiping in the sancutary of the church that this service was held at this year. The space was designed with all the senses in mind. It is circular, has multicolored stained glass surrounding half of the spacewhich is a visual feast. The other part of the circle is surrounded with bas relief scultpure. You can't actually touch it but you can easily image what it would feel like. But, my favorite aspect is the baptismal font that has running water in it that you can hear throughout the service. A gentle reminder of living water and the sacrament that is so near and dear to our faith.

Lenten Art Journey

One of my favorite volunteer activities is curating the Gallery at my home congregation, Westminster Presbyterian Church. It's a wonderful challenge to seek out local artists that are willing to share their work. The goal is to encourage artists, individuals, and the congregation to engage the visual arts with the spiritual life of the church.  I'm thankful that this congregation values the significance of visual imagery in spiritual formation and the development of faith. The exhibits change monthly and I've put myself out there this month by sharing a series of Lenten art quilts (they're like small worship banners) from my own studio.  Each piece is accompanied by scripture and a prayer, a thought provoking quote or a life application question. Beginning next week I'll be posting each piece on this blog--several each week.  I hope that they will enhance your Lenten journey.