Hello friends and welcome to this Lectio Imaggio.
Today telling the story of the crucifixion and death of Jesus taken from the book of Matthew in the Bible.
Lectio Imaggio is different to Lectio Divina as it invites you to enter the story in a different way.
As you listen to the words of this reading allow yourself to be immersed in the story.
Are you an observer of Jesus standing a little way off?
Are you right there at the cross?
Do you find yourself connecting with one of the soldiers keeping watch or placing lots for Jesus clothing?
Are you one of Jesus's faithful women friends who watch from a distance?
Are you one of the two criminals hanging either side of Jesus?
Something else may capture and invite your imagination as you listen to the words.
Notice how you feel inside as you enter this story.
How does your body respond to what's happening around you?
How do you feel?
What stirs within?
Is God inviting you to anything through this reading?
Let yourself be led and see where these words take you and what they offer.
I'm going to slowly read the passages twice giving you time to become part of them.
As we begin I invite you to settle and come to stillness.
It may help to have your feet connected to the floor as a way to feel grounded and rooted.
You may want to close your eyes and take a few deeper wider breaths allowing the out breath to bring a sinking,
A letting go.
Let yourself be held and supported and welcome the grace to be here and now in this moment.
Where nothing is required you are simply invited to be here,
Letting go of all other distractions and demands.
They brought Jesus to Golgotha which means skull hill and there the soldiers offered him a mild painkiller,
A drink of wine mixed with gall but after tasting it he refused to drink it.
Then they crucified Jesus nailing his hands and feet to the cross.
The soldiers divided his clothing among themselves by rolling dice to see who would win them and the soldiers stood there to watch what would happen and to keep guard over him.
Above his head they placed a sign that read this is Jesus of Nazareth,
King of Israel.
Two criminals were also crucified with Jesus,
One on each side of him and those who passed by shook their heads and spitefully ridiculed him saying we heard you boast that you could destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days.
Why don't you save yourself now if you're really God's son come down from the cross.
Even the ruling priests with the Jewish scholars and religious leaders joined in the mockery and kept on saying he saved others but he can't even save himself.
Israel's king is he.
He should pull out the nails and come down from the cross right now then we'll believe in him.
He says he puts all his trust in God so let's see if it's true and see if God really wants to rescue his favorite son.
Even the two criminals who were crucified with Jesus began to taunt him hurling their insults on him.
For three hours beginning at noon darkness came over the earth and at three o'clock Jesus shouted with a mighty voice in Aramaic Eli Eli Lema sabathani that is my God my God why have you deserted me.
Some who were standing near the cross misunderstood and said he's calling for Elijah.
One bystander ran and got a sponge soaked it with sour wine then put it on a stick and held it up for Jesus to drink but the rest said leave him alone let's see if Elijah comes to rescue him.
Jesus passionately cried out took his last breath and gave up his spirit.
At that moment the veil in the Holy of Holies was torn in two from the top to the bottom.
The earth shook violently rocks were split apart and graves were opened then many of the holy ones who had died were brought back to life and came out of their graves and after Jesus's resurrection they were plainly seen by many people walking in Jerusalem.
Now when the Roman military officer and his soldiers witnessed what was happening and felt the powerful earthquake they were extremely terrified.
They said there is no doubt this man was the son of God.
Watching from a distance were many of the women who had followed him from Galilee and given him support.
Among them were Mary Magdalene Mary the mother of Jacob and Joseph and the mother of Jacob and John.
So returning to these words for a second time they brought Jesus to Golgotha which means skull hill and there the soldiers offered him a mild painkiller a drink of wine mixed with gall but after tasting it he refused to drink it.
Then they crucified Jesus nailing his hands and feet to the cross.
The soldiers divided his clothing among themselves by rolling dice to see who would win them and the soldiers stood there to watch what would happen and to keep guard over him.
Above his head they placed a sign that read this is Jesus of Nazareth king of Israel.
Two criminals were also crucified with Jesus one on each side of him and those who passed by shook their heads and spitefully ridiculed him saying we heard you boast that you could destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days why don't you save yourself now if you're really God's son come down from the cross.
Even the ruling priests with the Jewish scholars and religious leaders joined in the mockery and kept on saying he saved others but he can't even save himself.
Israel's king is he.
He should pull out the nails and come down from the cross right now then we'll believe in him.
He says he puts all his trust in God so let's see if it's true and see if God really wants to rescue his favorite son.
Even the two criminals who were crucified with Jesus began to taunt him hurling their insults on him.
For three hours beginning at noon darkness came over the earth and at three o'clock Jesus shouted with a mighty voice in Aramaic Eli Eli Lema Sabachthani that is my God my God why have you deserted me.
Some who were standing near the cross misunderstood and said he's calling for Elijah.
One bystander ran and got a sponge soaked it with sour wine then put it on a stick and held it up for Jesus to drink but the rest said leave him alone let's see if Elijah comes to rescue him.
Jesus passionately cried out took his last breath and gave up his spirit.
At that moment the veil in the Holy of Holies was torn in two from the top to the bottom.
The earth shook violently rocks were split apart and graves were opened.
Then many of the holy ones who had died were brought back to life and came out of their graves and after Jesus's resurrection they were plainly seen by many people walking in Jerusalem.
Now when the Roman military officer and his soldiers witnessed what was happening and felt the powerful earthquake they were extremely terrified.
They said there is no doubt this man was the son of God.
Watching from a distance were many of the women who had followed him from Galilee and given him support.
Among them were Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of Jacob and Joseph and the mother of Jacob and John.
I invite you to remain with this passage to linger a while in the story and then maybe it would help to be with whatever's stirred within you whatever you sense the invitation or the offering is.
To maybe spend some time journaling and writing letting your words pour out and letting the words of these passages bring the gift that they are for you.
I offer you blessing and grace today.
Amen.
