Lent: Be Held By the Water: Mark 1:9-15
Mark 1:9-15
9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
12And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
- Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
- Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent mediation paying attention to the deep breath.
- This week we contemplate our baptism. Remember once again the waters blessing you.
- As you remember the seal of baptism, notice the temptation(s) which surround you.
- What strength do you need to keep you from the temptation(s)?
- Believe that Christ’s love is strong enough to keep you from the temptations.
- Allow Christ to send angels into your life to wait on you.
- What do you need to let go to let the angels surround you?
- What is keeping you from letting go?
- Remember the water blessing you. Allow the water to wash away the things keeping you from letting go.
- Be held by the water.
- Believe the good news.
- Give thanks to God for this time to remember baptism and for any new insights you have received.
- Share as you feel led in the reply box below.
Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, February 18, 2024, the First Sunday in Lent (Year B)
Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15
If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings. (c) 2024 The Rev. Dr. Lil Smith, DASD
Rev. Dr. Lil Smith is a trained spiritual director, supervisor, and co-founder of Retreat House Spirituality Center in Richardson, TX. Upon completion of her spiritual direction certification, Lil began Praying the Lectionary in 2011 as a spiritual practice for her morning prayer time. Instead of reading about someone else’s experience of God, it was important for her to create a prayer practice that would encourage felt sense experience of the Holy emerging from within. It dawned on her others might enjoy the practice, as well. So she began to share them on this site.
As you experience the practice of Praying the Lectionary, adopt a loving, caring, and compassionate stance. If the end of your prayer and meditation time is not pointing to love and hope, there is more work to do. Keep wrestling. God is faithful to your journey. Love and hope will emerge. Be gentle with yourself and befriend any judgment that arises in you.
