Artwork by Darlene Thulson
Poem by Kaley Rodda
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.
Today we wanted to take some time to talk about why we have structured these practices the way we have. We know that our universal experience is made up of our sensory experience - our touch, our taste, our smell, sight, hearing - and sometimes that can feel overwhelming. The physical environment that we’re in, the sensory experience that we have, often has an internal or spiritual impact on our lives as well. It can become difficult to regulate that experience, especially when that “noise” is internal.
With each week’s episode and practice, we’ve been inviting you to find a comfortable posture, notice and release tension in your body, and take a few deep breaths. It is so significant to make sure that your body is in one place, and your mind is in one place, when we’re engaging with scripture. Our bodies are a direct reflection of where our mind is at. We have moments in life where we might be physically present, but not mentally present, not emotionally present. So we want to intentionally take time to align our body and mind in the same place, in the present moment.
Our hope is that by creating a space and inviting us together to do something that’s centering, that we can set aside some of the noise in our lives and step into a place of stillness and silence that is more restful, rejuvenating, and healthy. Our breath is a meaningful and powerful way to help us get into that more reflective, present, and healthful space.
With that, let’s turn our attention to Station 9 - Jesus falls for a third time.
Take a few deep breaths.
Try to relax your tension from the day into just this moment, where you are right now.
Now read these words from Tony Jones:
Utterly broken and devastated, Jesus falls again. This time, even the soldiers know he can’t rise by his own power. They roughly grab the Son of God and half-drag, half-push him up the rest of the hill. Is the cross getting heavier? Is Jesus getting weaker? The life that has raised the dead, healed the lame, and given sight to the blind is draining from him.
Take a minute to sit with the image in front of you, taking in all of its rich details.
Notice where in the image your eyes are drawn. Let your attention rest on those details.
Why does that detail capture your attention?
What emotions or other responses are stirred inside of you?
Read again the words of Tony Jones:
Utterly broken and devastated, Jesus falls again. This time, even the soldiers know he can’t rise by his own power. They roughly grab the Son of God and half-drag, half-push him up the rest of the hill. Is the cross getting heavier? Is Jesus getting weaker? The life that has raised the dead, healed the lame, and given sight to the blind is draining from him.
This week’s written reflection by Kaley Rodda:
3.
A small number, just after two, just before 4.
Cannot be divided evenly,
They say a cord of three strands is not easily broken.
Neither is the trinity.
3. The number of times he fell
3. The number of times he predicted it would happen
3.The number of times he prayed before being arrested
3. The number of nails holding his body to the cross.
My God is a God of 3. 3 parts that are whole.
There is complexity to three.
God is 3
As you continue to reflect on this Station, perhaps you can unite your body and your mind in your reflection. Maybe you document, or journal, your responses - but also notice your body, your posture, your tension, and use those in your reflection as well.
As always we welcome your comments, conversation, and responses here on the website. We are excited to see you again for the next practice.