visio divina; AD the Bible continues; prayer Archives

Visio Divina

Visio divina is latin for “divine seeing.” It is a form of prayer using images or some form media. This past Easter Sunday, as I did on Good Friday, I decided to watch something that was going to help me encounter the day and its meaning. I decided AD The Bible Continues was just that something. Before I go into my experience, I have to give a little background about myself. I can be a bit obsessed with cleaning my house. As a result, I find it very difficult to sit still before a television and watch a movie without moving. During commercials I’m usually up and doing a load of laundry or loading the dishwasher. I may even try a little vacuuming or mopping.

Easter Sunday was a bit different. I say “a bit” because I think I may have gotten up a few times between episodes. The real difference was in how I received the material I was watching. For the first time in my life, I sat still enough to actually meditate on what I was watching. I was able to “see” a message beyond the event that was unfolding before my eyes. The miniseries was chock full – so much so that I started taking notes. Here’s what I got (and I still have 2 episodes left to watch):

Fear Paralyzes

Throughout the miniseries we see a back and forth between the Jews and the Romans. There was a constant struggle between them to maintain control of their people. I guess in their eyes, everything was going quite well until Jesus came along. He was causing a stir in the community. The Jews feared that Jesus’ actions would cause a riot in the streets and would cause the Romans to take control. The Romans feared an insurrection. In a sense, they feared a loss of control as well. As a result, they found it quite easy to kill Jesus even though they had no evidence of any “crime” he committed.

As the events of Jesus’ arrest were unfolding, the disciples feared persecution. They feared for their lives. What I realized from watching the miniseries is that fear comes from attachments. Fear causes us to become irrational. Caiaphas is a perfect example of the irrationality that comes with fear. Fear also clouds our judgment. We saw this with the Apostles as they navigate through life after Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion and resurrection.

Hope is not too far off. Then there’s Mary and the trust she possessed. Watching her helped me understand, in a concrete way, that TRUST CONQUERS ALL FEAR. She was unshakeable because she trusted everything the angel told her before Jesus’ birth. She also trusted everything Jesus said after he was born. Her steadfast trust helped her walk the road to Calvary alongside Jesus with immense grace. Her steadfast trust in her son’s word helped her encourage the Apostles after the Resurrection. She knew in her heart that what He promised would come to pass. Even while his disciples doubted, she stood watching and waiting for her son to appear on that third day. Steadfast trust! Amazing! I can only hope to get there one day.

The reality is we don’t trust enough. The disciples didn’t trust enough either. Even at the empty tomb they doubted He had risen, despite what he promised. Of course John believed he had risen. He trusted his words. No wonder he was the disciple He loved. It’s no wonder He entrusted His mother to him.

Then there’s Peter. His story helped me to see that Jesus gives us every opportunity to right our wrongs. Just look at what he did for Peter. Peter denied Jesus three times. After the resurrection Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to profess his love three times. No coincidence there. In a sense, Jesus was providing an opportunity for Peter to negate his denial. He was preparing him to go forth to preach in confidence.

For me, it was no coincidence that John and Peter were imprisoned together. The one whom Jesus loved was a symbol of faith and obedience. And the one who loved Jesus enough to be transformed into one of unwavering faith and obedience. Unwavering, even to the point of death! Death on a cross!

As I watched the scene of John and Peter escaping from prison I immediately thought of lies, deceit and truth. I realized that lies and deceit had gotten them into prison. Not their own lies, but the lies of the Jews who feared loss of control. They couldn’t handle the truth. So they attempted to maintain their control by the manipulation of others. They attempted to silence the disciples by imprisonment but the Truth, capital T, set them free!

By the end of his life, Simon, whom Jesus named His “Rock”, Peter, became a rock of the faith. He eventually became who he was created to be. He became who Jesus wanted him to be. Jesus had a hand in that. He did what He had to do to transform Peter. That’s just what He does for us.

As we struggle through life, working hard to remain faithful and live holy lives, we shouldn’t be discouraged when we stumble. Jesus is with us every step of the way and we should trust, as Mary did, that what He promised will be accomplished. Open your heart to His will. He’s going to take you places you’ve never dreamed (as Joel Osteen would say). Remember those setbacks in your life are part of the plan. Look what he did with Saul. Imagine what He will do for you!