This is an invitation and introduction to a series of reflective exercises helping us to come to God through something called a "contemplative pause". 

There will be four phases of each reflection:

1. STOP
2. BREATHE
3. LISTEN
4. RESPOND

I would love you to join me!

An Invitation + Introduction

A contemplative prayer pause for Psalm Sunday.

Scripture read is Mark 11:1-10 (HCSB).

Day 1 - Pause for Palm Sunday March 28

Passage: John 4:1-13 (HCSB).

Poem: The Woman of Samaria by Clive Sansom.

He came to me with His eyes and asked for water,
stretched out His hands and spoke.
His mind burned into mine like the noon sun,
my pitcher of thoughts broke.

I had not noticed Him at rest by the well-head
shadowed by the rare tree
But as I carried my shame into its coolness
His eyes awaited me.

I tried to avoid them as I drew the well-rope
taut through a mindless hand.
I saw His robe cross the speckled sunlight,
His feet stir in the hot sand.

I saw His face. It was white with road-dust,
whiter than any stone.
But His eyes were ageless and deep as well-shafts,
as they met my own.

They unroofed my brain with their profound gazing,
made the heart a molten thing:
Every purdahed thought unveiled itself
under their questioning.

He spoke of water to cleanse the spirit:
I tried not to understand.
He followed me along the road of my evasions,
and when it ceased in sand

He brought me home from my self-forced journey –
He showed me my own soul
Cracked and dry as a discarded wineskin,
and made it whole.

He came to me with His eyes and asked for water,
stretched out His hands and spoke.
As I carried my peace back to the streets of Sychar,
a new world woke.

Alice Arnott