Artwork by David Dillon. Oil on 12" x 24" canvas
Written reflection by Karl Helvig
Welcome to the website for Centennial Covenant Church’s podcast Centered. This podcast was created by Karl Helvig, David Dillon, and Kaley Rodda, with the help of many other wonderful people. The content below is a guide for the prayer practice known as The Stations of the Cross, and this website was designed particularly with our friends in the D/HH community in mind. You can use it on its own without the audio podcast, or you can use the website while listening to the podcast to create a more immersive experience. The content here is exactly the same as that on the audio podcast. In other words, this website and the podcast can function either independently or together.
This episode is focused on Station 13- The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross.
As always, we encourage you to take a minute to think about your body position.
Focus on the very simplicity of breathing, and being alive.
Allow that thought to unite your mind and your body.
Take a couple deep breaths. In and out.
Take your time, reading the scripture - John 19:33-34
But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
Take some time next to reflect on the artwork.
Reflections:
What do you notice about use of color? What do you notice about the light, and the dark, and the shadows in this painting?
What do you notice about the style?
Why do you think the painting captures your attention in the way that it does?
How does this piece of art communicate the emotion of this station of the cross?
Many authors throughout history have observed how reflection on ourselves and our own lives is intertwined with our reflection on and understanding of God. As you continue to spend time with this piece of art, what thoughts or ideas does it prompt about your understanding of the character of God?
This week’s creative written reflection is by Pastor Karl Helvig:
Carrying My Son
My son fell asleep
On the sofa the other night.
He’s ten years old
And weighs about a hundred pounds.
Carrying his sleeping body down the
Stairs to his bedroom
It’s tricky
The body of a sleeping boy
Is limp
It folds and flops
In ways that make then
Hard to carry.
My two year old son?
Sure, he’s easy to carry
Up to bed and plop in his crip.
Even my four year old is no problem.
But, my ten year old,
That’s a task.
It’s hard to carry a sleeping body.
At the same time, whenever I carry
One of my kids like this,
However easy or hard it is,
I cherish the moment.
Seeing them resting peacefully
Feeling their chest rise and fall.
Feeling their breath.
Selah
When they took Jesus’ body down.
Lifted it from its place of execution.
His chest did not rise and fall
There was no breath to feel
His body was limp not because he was asleep.
When his mother looked at him
Held his body
Saw his face
There was no sweetness to cherish or savor.
Only sorrow.