Today’s post is from the archives in 2022 with some slight edits. Our Lenten and Easter series was based on the colour purple and the post for Holy Week included two prayers based on shadows and darkness. They’re powerful but simple prayers and I really felt that I wanted to share them with you again. I’ve taken the paywall off for this post so you are free to share it with others.
We are in Holy Week. On Sunday we celebrated the welcoming crowds as Jesus enters Jerusalem. There are cheers and celebrations, but the shadow of the events yet to come are present even amidst these celebrations.
Not everyone perceives the shadows in real time. It is only afterwards, upon reflection, the shadows are noticed.
It is in this week that the disciples gather for what is now known as the Last Supper the undercurrent caused by the presence of shadows is evident. Jesus shares bread and wine with the disciples and tells them of what is to come. He washes their feet to show them Jesus’ talks of betrayal, suffering, rejection and death. The disciples speak of their commitment to stand beside Jesus and argue amongst themselves who is the greatest. The shadows are lengthening.
It is amongst the shadows cast by the trees in the olive grove at Gethsemene, where Jesus is arrested, betrayed by one of his own.
The events that followed are full of shadows.
Grief abounds.
Suffering.
Rejection.
Sorrow.
Death.
Shadows are with us, both when we expect them and when we least expect them.
Jesus comes alongside us in our shadowy times. We are not rejected or abandoned or betrayed.
Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He was very sad and troubled, and he said to them, “I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me.”
Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, don't make me suffer by drinking from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.”
He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, “Can't any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay awake and pray that you won't be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak.”
Matthew 26:36-41 (CSV)
Some time during this week I encourage you to read the events of Holy Week from one or more of the gospels. Here’s a good starting place in each gospel. Matthew chapter 26, Mark chapter 14, Luke chapter 22 or John chapter 12.
One of the intriguing things about a shadow, is you need a light source. It doesn’t need to be much, but a glow from the moon or the stars, a streetlight or nightlight, a phone screen or light from a charger plugged into the wall, will send off enough light to both illuminate and cast a shadow. A shadow is made from an object blocking the source of light. A shadow shows where there is an absence of light, amongst the light.
Shadows are often thought to be black, but a shadow can be many different colours depending on the colour of the source of light and how our brain interprets this information. Here’s an explanation using physics and biology to explain how we see the colours of shadows. I’ve suggested purple is the colour of shadows. This view of purple being the colour of shadows is hugely influenced for me by some of my favourite painters, the impressionists, who observed and recorded light. To show this light in their work they painted shadows of blue and purple. This article entitled, Restless Violet Shadows explains their use of purple paint to show shadows.
In the first prayer we use shadows and light to pray and we acknowledge the Light of the World. In this Holy Week, we hold both the shadow and the light.
In the second prayer we use the darkness to guide our prayer. Here in Aotearoa, we are at the time of year when the darkness starts to closes in. Our experience of Holy Week is shaped by the diminishing light as the number of hours of daylight decreases and the shadows lengthen. Yet we are unlikely to experience full darkness unless we live far away from the city and it’s a cloudy night. The moon is full and lights up the night sky.
As you go through this week, take notice of the shadows around you, both the physical shadows cast by the blocking of a light source, but also the shadows that hover around your lived experiences. Maybe you’ll pick up a sketchbook or a camera to record your shadows, or maybe you’ll write a poem or prayer. Maybe you’ll sit and ponder and pray.
In this week we observe, we reflect, and we pay attention. I hope the shadows and darkness can bring meaningful reflection to this Holy Week.
May God be with you in the shadows and darkness.
May God be your guiding light.
On the journey
Caroline
Shadow Prayer
Find a place to stand where the sunlight creates shadows from a tree or a building or other structure. Think about the shadows that exist in your own life. Think about the way that shadows are only evident when there is light to show that they are there. What shadows exist in your life currently? How do these shadows separate you from God? Give your shadows to God in prayer. Step into the light where the shadows do not reach and give thanks to God for sending his son Jesus, the Light of the World.
Darkness Prayer
Stand outside after the sun has set. Notice the darkness. Notice where the light breaks through the darkness. Can you see the moon or stars? Can you see streetlights or lights from houses? What other sources of light can you see? Contemplate the darkness and notice your response to the darkness. As you sit or stand in the darkness, notice the way your eyes adjust to the changes. What can you see? Let the darkness guide your thoughts. Let the darkness guide your prayer.
That's a particularly beautiful piece of writing about shadow imagery, metaphor and Christs light.
Y