Jesus Our Passover Lamb

Gospel of Mark

Session 2

Read Mark 14:12-26

This passage has become so familiar to many, it can be easy to rush past it. For this week’s study, we are going to use the Ignatian contemplative method to help us engage with the story on a deeper, slower level.

1. Have someone read the passage out loud again. However, this time,

a. Reader, take your time in reading this out. Don’t rush or try to cover it all quickly.

b. Listeners, sit still, with your eyes closed, and use your imagination to help you build an inner picture of this scene.

i. Who is there?

ii. What are they doing?

iii. What interactions are taking place?

iv. What is the space they are in like?

v. What time of day is it?

vi. What is the mood and atmosphere there?

2. Now, have a reader (it can change, or be the same person) read the passage out for a third time. This time,

a. Reader, again try and read at a slower pace.

b. Listeners, again sit still with your eyes closed. This time, working within your inner picture, try and imagine yourself as one of the characters in the story.

i. What are you doing here?

ii. What do you (as the character) notice and experience with your five senses?

iii. What do you (as the character) think and feel during these events?

3. When the reading ends, spend a few more minutes in silence with eyes closed. Try and savour what you just experienced, and spend some time holding those images in your mind. Leader, close the session by saying “Amen.”

Watch Francis Chan Video 10: 00:00 – 03:11.

What are the impressions that Francis focuses on here? Note that Francis is also keen to encourage us to imagine the scene here, to really try and get inside this story. What is the value of doing this for our faith?

If you have time, share the communion meal together in an appropriate format