The passion and resurrection of Jesus emphasizes his incarnation—his presence on earth as a body that suffers, dies, and returns to life in a transformed, but still physical, body. Our prayer practices this month are intended to help us acknowledge our own embodiment and use our physicality to help us deepen our prayer life.
This week we will practice using postures to more deeply understand and pray the scriptures. Read Matthew 28: 1-10 and pause to embody words that speak to you. These may be obvious action words from the passage, such as shaking or running or more abstract words like joy. Some suggestions are given to help you get started, but move as you feel led.
Incarnate Lord, help me to feel your presence in my body, mind, and soul as I pray the scriptures.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
[Sit as the angel in the midst of the earthquake.]
For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men.
[Shake or be paralyzed as if with fear.]
But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
[Bend down to look in the tomb.]
"Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you."
[Embody a posture of listening.]
So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
[Embody a posture of joy mixed with fear.]
Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
[Grasp the feet of Jesus and worship.]
Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
[Embody a posture of courage.]
Creator God, thank you for the gift of physicality. May I use my body to spread your love and message of hope in that I do. Amen.