Introduction to the contemplative listening of the passion story

Spiritual directors are trained to work with people as a kind of spiritual buddy to help them recognize the divine in their lives - and one of the tools that is used to train a person for this work is called a verbatim. And it is both very simple, and quite miraculous. You begin by listening to someone for an hour, straining to hear the presence of God in the person’s life. It is very concentrated work. Then afterwards you sit quietly, in an attitude of prayer and contemplation, and you bring to mind some small part of the conversation.

You cannot take notes during the hour of listening.  And as you have to stay perfectly present in the moment to hear the movements of the spirit, you cannot waste energy trying to remember things as they happened.  So the sitting and bringing to mind what happened has no conscious memory to it. 

Then you write verbatim what you said and what the other person said around a particular subject or word or idea that comes to your mind.

If one were to tape the session, it would not be what you remember and write down.

But the strange thing is, it does not seem to matter.

Because what you remember in the spirit, is exactly the thing that you need to look at in your life.  Not in the life of the other person, but in your life.  The ways of the spirit of God are always a surprise.

So, in the same way, when I read this story to you, you will be filtering the story through your life, your past memories, what you are going through this day, perhaps what you are concerned about tomorrow.  So your hearing of the Passion story in the Gospel of John will be unique to you.  And in Christological language we say, God is speaking uniquely to you. 

This is not to be taken lightly.  If you are here today, you have some reason for being here.  Take then the time, to quiet your spirit, to put it in a place of contemplation, and let the spirit of God speak to you through the characters in the story.  And as always, keep your eyes on Jesus.  Because, Jesus love you this I know. And Jesus is the one we follow. Then. And now.

1st Reading: John 18: 1 – 27

2nd Reading: John 18: 28 – 40

3rd Reading: John 19: 1 – 30

4th Reading: John 19: 31 – 42

Concluding reflection and closing prayer

When Jesus is hurt is does not look down except to extend forgiveness for what we have not yet done.

When Jesus is hurt he does not look around him expect to see who might like to join him in his great adventure of grace.

When Jesus is hurt he does not look below, expect to gather those he loves into spiritual community.

When Jesus ishurt even by the silence of his creator he thirsts….

He thirst for life, for love, to continue to be a part of the great process of love and life that is God.

When Jesus is hurt, he thirsts past his dying to where he will be reunited, refreshed, reborn

And here is his loveliness, here is his beauty, here is his perfection.

To borrow from the immortal words of Stevie Wonder.

Isn’t he lovely, surely the angel’s best,

We should be so happy, we have been heaven blessed,

I can’t believe what God has done, he’s given us this one,

Whose so very lovely, made in love. 

May we all be granted the grace to follow in the way of thirst, and to reach beyond our parched selves to the oasis that is wholeness in the other and fulfillment in the divine.

Join me in Prayer…..

 Dear Lord Jesus,

Judas betrayed you in the garden,

But we have all betrayed you, and continue to do so even today….

Peter denied you, and so too, we deny you in the living out of our lives…..forgetting your way of love and compassion, even as we know it to be right and true….

We like to think that we would be the ones to stay true and strong and faithful and good.  But the truth is, we forsake you, we betray you, we are a part and a parcel of an economy and a society that spits in your face, and laughs at the perfect justice of your cross.  Forgive us.  

But you have remained true and faithful to us

Your forgiveness abounds

Your generosity astonishes.

Your mercy is beyond our comprehension.

You have remained faithful to God, to us, to your way of love.

There you are stretched out on the cross, arms wide open to the world, heart fully open to God, in your last breath granting grace and forgiveness to all…..

Strengthen us, that we might be faithful too,

not turning aside,

not turning away,

not betraying you or denying you,

but following you through the sunlight and through the shadow,

for you have claimed the final victory over evil and darkness

with your gentle way and your humble spirit.

May we be worthy followers,

and steadfast friends,

leaning upon your council

and seeking out the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in all things.

Let us stand at the foot of your cross and turning our hearts to God, stretch out our loving and holy spirits to embrace the world….knowing our safety and our joy lies with you as we say together the prayer that you taught us so many years ago……

Lord’s Prayer…..

Lyrics for Original musical benediction

Tilt your head t’wards goodness,

Sweet spirit on your mind,

Fill your heart with light and love and joy of every kind,

Keep steady in your purpose,

See God in every face,

You will find that from you pours eternities of grace.

Stand tall just where you’re standing,

Keep rooted on the ground,  

Know that where you are living now, is where your gift is found.

With hearts kept soft and tender

And eyes open to see

Where you are and where you serve is where your meant to be

Chorus: You’re the cross now, it’s your calling,  

Walking Christ like t’wards the light,

Love’s the measure, in its fullness  

And we are God’s delight.

Spread wide your arms in welcome,

Be ready to receive,

For everyone is your beloved, and everyone’s in need.

Each person fights a battle,  

Each one runs their own race,  

So stretch your arms out and anoint all those that you embrace.

You’re the cross now, it’s your calling,  

Walking Christ like t’wards the light,

Love’s the measure, in its fullness  

And we are God’s delight.

Spread wide your arms in welcome,

Be ready to receive,

For everyone is your beloved, and everyone’s in need.

Each person fights a battle,  

Each one runs their own race,  

So stretch your arms out and anoint all those that you embrace.

So stretch your arms out and anoint all those that you embrace.