There are a number of songs or videos to choose from. You don’t need to listen to them all. If a title catches your imagination listen to that one as your preparation for entering into a time of silence with God . Then the other songs in preparation for you to enter the theme. It is your choice, do everything or enter where you desire.
Praying – Pause
A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. —John 13:34
~Breathing in loss… I am breathing out love…
~Breathing in anger… I am breathing out love…
~Breathing in pain… I am breathing out love…
~Breathing in for all who can’t breathe any longer… I am breathing out love…
~Breathing in… I am breathing out knowing, when we breathe our last breath out, God breathes us in… ~ Richard Rohr
Jesus: Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples —when they see the love you have for each other. —John 13:34
Prayer – Poem ~ Esther de Waal (Read)
Taize’ song – Holy Spirit come to us
Be Still And Know That I Am God by Christopher Walker and Paule Freeburg, DC:
Crucifixus – Antonio Lotti – Tenebrae
- Song – sing together or listen to a song that is the theme of class or Journal your thoughts and feelings.
- Silence.
- How are things going (share what is on the heart at the level you feel comfortable) If with people, break into pairs to share, if not Journal.
Jesus Be The Center
Liz Babbs – Meditation on the Journey of life
All To Jesus I Surrender by Robin Mark Lyrics
Celtic Cross Meaning
- There are different interpretations in various cultures and traditions regarding the Celtic cross. For instance, in some cultures the four arms are interpreted as the four elements (earth, air, fire, water), the four directions of the compass (north, south, east, west), the four parts of man (mind, soul, heart, body).
- Further he explains that crucifixion was not only important just as an event, but the circle in the middle of the cross represents the divine mystery of how, through crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus continues to bestow his love and hope of salvation to the faithful mankind endlessly.
- As per some other scholars, the cross also represents the meeting place of the Divine energies, and the center of the cross section is the energetic touchstone wherein all cosmic power resides.
- Hence, we can say that each branch symbolizes a branch of higher wisdom and the center is the unification of all these four elements, giving an exhilarating feeling of oneness and unity.
- As per some believers, the cross also represents navigation or is considered as a symbolic compass that guides us through a spiritual sea. For example, when we find ourselves stuck or trapped between different uncertainties of life, the cross can redirect our focus and help to move our thoughts in the right direction.
- Wheel Cross is another name for the Celtic Cross
- https://historyplex.com/celtic-cross-meaning
Other Websites of interest
https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/celtic-cross-meaning-origin-symbolism.html
https://www.myirishjeweler.com/blog/irish-celtic-cross-history
My thoughts with regard to the the Celtic Cross, it stands out because of it having a circle behind the cross. It is not a crucifix with Christ still remaining on the cross, which is a good reminder of his death and the sacrifice he did on our behalf.
Then there is the regular plain cross, and the Jerusalem cross and the Greek orthodox design. There are so may symbols of faith to add meaning to our faith walk.
For me, I was told that it was a regular plain cross being being viewed upon as the sun was rising behind the cross. This created the circle behind the cross, reminding us of the sun or son, rising at the resurrection. A new day beginning, a dawn of a new opportunity, and the grace try again.
Also the Circle is the reminder of the stone in front of the tomb where Jesus was laid to rest. That it was rolled away, to reveal Christ was no longer dead but had risen from the dead.
Scotland has Circle sheep folds, that a shepherd can put their sheep in at night. This was for protection from any predators. The shepherd slept at the entrance so as to know that no sheep had exited, and no predator had access to the sheep. Also a reminder of the Lord being our shepherd, who looks over us, and we are part of the flock. There is the protection, given, the sign of the cross, some viewed as a shield, and the origin of the physical action of genuflecting, and the sign of the cross.
The circle is also believed to represent the crown of thorns that was place on the head of Christ, as part of the pain and suffering experienced.
The Circle was also a symbol of infinity like a ring, that has no end, goes on forever, eternal, like a wedding band placed on each persons finger. A symbol of connection, giving to each other with the covenant intention of being together forever. A wedding ceremony is a reminder that Christ is coming back for his bride the church, that has been prepared because of Christ, to be without spot of wrinkle, because of his life giving act, this gives us access to God.
It is in giving of our life to Christ, we are then in a relationship with God. The Celtic Cross is also known as the wheel cross, that is a daily reminder, and a question to ponder, is God in your life and steering your life in the direction of the Lord choosing.
The focus point for the next half hour or more is the cross, we will make and decorate as you feel led. You will create a unique one of a kind Celtic cross because it was created by you.
I love the process of doodling within the confinement of the paper folded cross. The cross becomes my canvas, which I start designing within and see what unfolds. A lot like our lives, if we allow God to be active, and participate in the design process.
The Journey of our lives is so much more like this than we may realize, or want to admit. We are a work unfolding with the careful touch of the creator and the joint work of the Triune one, the three have begun a good work in us and are faithfully shaping and moulding us into the vessel that has been discussed and envisioned before the beginning of time.
Ray Simpson says “the Celtic knot speaks to us of the past held in the whole, the complex being held in the simple, the present being held in eternity. In early Celtic times the standing crosses were the peoples focal point.” New Monasticism, Ray Simpson. Pg 172.
The following is the easiest way I have found to create a knot-work design. Try and draw as even as possible the squares an circles and draw lines in-between the small circles.
After download and print, listen to music and color the Celtic Cross.
In the little things help me to see you Holy Spirit, to be still for a moment. Help me to ponder that you give me breathe, and sustain my life. You are the creator, protector, and giver of love.
Holy Spirit, keep me and help me, to know your presence, and give a peace when there feels to be a void of separation.
Trinity of love and care, mold me, make me whole, when doubt and fear affect me, fill me with spiritual confidence, trusting the good that is given to me, the promises are a gift to be received. I trust you Lord, believing that life is a gift from you the sacred one. Amen.
Luke 23:26-56 New International Version (NIV)
The Crucifixion of Jesus
26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then
“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
and to the hills, “Cover us!”’
31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[b] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[c]”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Death of Jesus
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
The Burial of Jesus
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Mark's Treasury Of Celtic Christian Spirituality 
