Updated on April 22, 2024
Pool of Bethesda
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A meditation with imaginative contemplation in John’s Gospel, chapter 5, verses 2-8.
In imaginative contemplation, we try to make the scene come alive in our minds eye. Some people can conjure very vivid images, sounds and smells in their minds, others experience more of an emotional impression. There is no right or wrong way to do this, the purpose of imaginative contemplation is to allow the gospel encounter to become your own in some way, to allow the text to bring the Word in a fresh way.
I found the following images helpful in framing this scene, so I thought I’d share them with you.
Grace and peace to you as you pray, as always.
Pools of Jerusalem. Shows area north of temple mount. Photo by Leon Mauldin.
Pool of Bethesda by James Tissot
If you enjoy this meditation, you may also enjoy the follow up meditation, “Even on the Sabbath“, when Jesus encounters the healed man in the Temple, later that same day.
Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.
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All music by Pete Hatch.
Lissy, this is so wonderful, thank you. And thank you for those images – they really helped me get into the scene. It was a special healing time for me. Thank you, my friend.
Lissy, This was amazing. One of your best! And they are all good. thank you for your passion and devotion to these prayer sessions, Blessings , Alison
Thank you, Lissy, for leading the way into the healing presence of Jesus. This passage became more than a story for the first time for me. I felt I was in the presence of Jesus saying I want to be healed. Now, I’ll stand and walk and watch for the healing as I walk through the days ahead. Warm regards, Michelle
How beautiful, thank you so much for sharing. May the healing reveal itself in meaningful ways, small and big. Blessings, Michelle.