MEDITATION:
Written by Ruth Grendell.
My mother gave me the book, Christ and the Fine Arts, by Cynthia Maus for my sixteenth birthday. It contains stories, poetry, music, and pictures/paintings describing many aspects of Christ’s life. Throughout the years the book has become a valuable resource for exploring the meaning of God’s presence in my life. The contents have been used for quiet reflections, presentations to groups and to prepare comments in the classroom.
The book has strengthened my relationship with God. It has a prominent place available on our bookcase. Stories are one of the oldest arts and Jesus used the parables to reveal important lessons about our interactions with God and with others. Poetry and music are so closely aligned and revealed comments related to many of my favorite hymns. In my piano lessons, I learned to value the works of famous authors… Some of my favorites include: Savior Like a Shepherd Lead us, Love That Will Not Let Me Go, I come to the Garden Alone, Abide with Me, and I Need Thee Every Hour. I keep a hymn book on my piano. Descriptions of favorite gospel songs include: He Never Said a Mumbling Word, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, and Standing in the Need of Prayer.
The three pictures/paintings and explanations of Hofmann’s Christ in Gethsemane depicting Him as a man of prayer and acquainted with grief; Ruben’s depiction of Christ on the cross; and the famous Rafael’s portrayal of the Transfiguration are so meaningful to me during this Lenten Season and at this time in my life.
PRAYER:
Written by Marcia Meier, a contemporary writer and artist.
O, great Creator
Guide my hand
Open my heart
Quiet my mind
Allow your inspiration to flow to and through me
Make me your instrument for creativity
Allow my words to move and touch others
To soothe, to bring awareness, to make life easier for others
To bring about justice and foment peace
May I always work in a way that brings your Holy Spirit and love to others
May your vast love hold me safe and keep me whole as I create and write in service to you and the world.
MUSIC MEDITATION:
Lamb of God Most Holy: Wells College Choir. This hymn was written by Nikolaus Decius about 1541 and translated to English by Arthur Tozer Russell in the mid-1800s.
Pathways Press.com 