Passionist Spirituality and Prayer

As a man of great prayer, Paul of the Cross inculcated its importance most forcefully by word and example.  He wished his followers to pray without ceasing and desired our communities to become real schools of prayer, leading to a deep experience of God (Passionist Rule and Constitutions, #37.)

At the heart of our prayer is the Crucified Christ. Prayerful contemplation on Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection enables us to bring the fruit of that contemplation to those who are Christ Crucified in today’s world by standing in solidarity with those who suffer.

Living a life of prayer before God and among the people, each community shares the prayerful attitude of the Church.  Moved by the Spirit of God, as adopted sons we cry out:  Abba, Father!  In union with Christ, we praise the wondrous works of God.  We contemplate Christ's saving work for us and collaborate with Him in extending the scope of this mystery, while awaiting its final consummation.) Passionist Rule and Constitutions, #38.)

Our life of prayer, communal and individual, draws us to live in communion with the Most Holy Trinity.  In prayer, we respond to the loving initiative of the Father.  Led by the Holy Spirit, we unite ourselves with the Person of Christ, especially in the Paschal Mystery of His suffering, death and resurrection.

This mystery we contemplate through personal meditation, which leads us on to an ever growing love; this mystery we share through the daily events in which our lives and work involve us; this mystery we make to live again in our celebration of the Liturgy.

In this way our whole lives are united in prayer with Christ as together we journey towards our Father. (Passionist Rule and Constitutions, #39.)

Fr. Donald Senior, C.P., a Passionist scripture scholar, asks the very simple question, “Why the Cross?”. In his book, he examines this question from historical and theological viewpoints.  And he concludes with these words:

“Why the cross? Because, in fact, Jesus of Nazareth was crucified in Jerusalem by Roman authorities in the first third of the first century. He suffered what the ancient world considered a particularly heinous form of capital punishment - one meant to be a profound humiliation of its victim and a deterrent to crimes that challenged or disrupted public order and civil authority.

Why the cross? Because Jesus' death by crucifixion was the unimpeachable proof of his humanity. Through his suffering and death on the cross Jesus of Nazareth demonstrates solidarity with all human suffering, especially with innocent suffering, and offers it the possibility of new meaning. 

Why the cross? Because Jesus was innocent and just, his death on the cross was an act of supreme injustice, an act of violence and oppression whose roots are radically evil. Because his mission of justice led to his death, the cross also stands, therefore, as a sign of condemnation of all injustice and oppression, of all infliction of violence and suffering of the innocent. 

Why the cross? Because the reality of Jesus' death on the cross makes room for the paradox of suffering within human experience. Suffering can be redemptive but human suffering is not to be embraced or condoned as valuable and purifying without the Christian community first standing in opposition to human suffering and seeking to alleviate it. Jesus is first of all a healer, determined to overcome human suffering and to liberate humans from the power of sin and death. In the face of death, Jesus is portrayed as lamenting and praying for deliverance.

 Why the cross? Because Jesus’ death on the cross is recognized as the culminating expression of a life animated by self-transcending love, a love that reveals God’s gracious love for humanity and the world God created. That death liberates humans from the burden of sin and death. Through participation in the paschal mystery the Christian shares in Jesus’ own victory over death and is reconciled with God.

Why the cross? Because through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and Son of God, we come to realize that the wisdom of God is different from human wisdom and that God's ways are not our ways. Through the cross we recognize the God who cares for those who are poor and vulnerable, the God of the "ungodly," the God who embraces all peoples. 

Why the cross? Because in taking up the cross and following Jesus, Christians through grace are able to shape their lives in the pattern of Jesus' own life-giving mission: animated by self-transcending love, serving rather than being served, giving their lives for those they love, confronting evil and injustice, being healers and reconcilers in the world.

Why the cross? Because in contemplating the love of God revealed in the death and resurrection of Jesus and in trusting in the way of Jesus as a way to life, Christians under duress can persevere in their journey to God. 

 Why the cross? Because the community formed in the name of Jesus Crucified and Risen is a community that strives for mutual love and respect, is patient with weakness, is willing to forgive and be forgiven, a community that is, in fact, the body of the Crucified Christ who is triumphant but still bears the wounds of his cross, a community able to give a witness of hope and meaning to the world.”

Senior, Donald. “Why the Cross?”:  Nashville, Abingdon Press, 2014. Pgs. 135-136.

St. Paul of the Cross invited people to share his life, devotion, and spirituality of Christ crucified in order to better understand the immense love God has for us.  Fr. David Colhour, CP, offers his reflection on the life and spirituality of our holy founder.

Convictions of Faith

Each of us, as we grow up; begin making formulations or conclusions about who we are in relationship to the world around us.  These begin forming our belief systems or our convictions.  St. Paul of the Cross was certainly no different.  Specifically, those convictions around issues of faith and belief which are based on observation of repetitive patterns.  For example in the Old Testament we look at story after story of how the Lord restores humanity, and we say, “Oh isn’t the Lord merciful and forgiving?”  This is a faith conviction which is enlightened by reflection upon the experience.  Each of us has the capacity to do this.

So what are some of the faith convictions of St. Paul of the Cross in his early years?  We answer this question by looking at the experiences of his younger years: what he was reflecting on, the truths and conclusions he drew, and how he used these to provide direction for others.  Certainly, having experienced so much death in his family, and seeing how his mother responded to death and suffering taught Paul a whole lot about suffering and love.  And so when Paul looks at a crucifix and sees the suffering of Christ, he also sees the love of Christ.  These are inseparable.  Paul never looked at a crucifix and saw merely what was on the surface.  He had the ability to see deeper than the scars and the blood into the compassion, mercy and love Jesus exuded while suffering.  Perhaps this is one reason he stressed physical discipline.    For the challenge of such a practice can’t be to merely tolerate pain or survive the ascetical practice, it must be to transcend the physical pain into something greater.  So the practice of the strong asceticism of that time was to help one differentiate, to find the deeper drive and motivation beyond physical discomfort.  If one can do this in their own personal life then how will it affect their prayer?   Personally, I see this happening quite frequently when I look at a mother and her child.  How many times I’ve watched a mother go through tremendous physical suffering motivated by the stronger drive which is love and compassion.  And if I’m aware of this in my own life how does it affect my prayer?

On several occasions Paul will write, “The passion of Jesus is the greatest work and sign of God’s love.”  For Paul this is not something he tries to prove, it is something deep in his core belief.  And he will repeat it in many of his letters to many of his spiritual followers. Frequently when they write about their own personal sufferings, Paul will redirect their interpretation, inviting them to try to begin to see this as a gift from God, something which will allow them to begin pondering more deeply the passion of Jesus.  To one of his most trusted benefactors he writes, “I am totally immersed in that bottomless abyss of divine love and in the Red Sea of the most holy Passion of Jesus.  This sea comes from the infinite love of God”.

A second area of faith conviction is that Paul believed that most of the things that happen to us from God are good, but not necessarily good in terms of our own human definition of good.  Frequently the things which challenge us the most and eventually lead to growth can be most uncomfortable.  In Paul’s letters and counseling he frequently invited people to trust the “Divine good”.  And to allow that Divine good to take you where you perhaps may not necessarily want to go. (The Cross)

“Do not be disturbed by the passing trials you are going through, since you must know that similar trials will come often.  Our divine Savior visits those servants who are dear to him and purifies them with trials to develop their fidelity.”   And in another letter, “The words of God always meet with opposition so that the divine magnificence may shine forth.  It is when things appear to be crashing to the ground that you will see them even more be raised on high.”

The problem some will have with Paul’s convictions deals with the question of the human being’s free will.  Because if God is one who directs all things then how can it be that we have free will to choose?  Paul’s answer to this is quite beautiful.  While he knows many volumes have been written trying to explain this tension, Paul in a very beautiful way, leaves it a mystery, because he believes both are true.  Yes, God guides and directs and yes, we have free will.  He never tries to reconcile the two statements; he simply has the common sense to leave it alone.   His goal and main interest is to lead people to God.

A third and very strong faith conviction which Paul operated under was the belief that God is doing something in everybody’s life every single moment of every single day.  We may not always be conscious of it, but below the surface there is always some kind of divine presence and activity sometimes encouraging us and sometimes prodding us.  We may find ourselves fully participating with it, or we may find ourselves even resisting.  Nonetheless, God’s presence is there at work.   Paul writes, “Remain in the divine presence in everything you do.  If you are busy at work with your hands, let your mind and heart be inwardly on God”.  And in another place, “Be at peace in your sufferings without trying too hard to understand them in your mind.  A true servant of God is praying always.  I don’t mean kneeling down, but with loving attention to the divine presence.  In so far as this involves a lack of feeling of God’s presence, so much the better.”  Strong faith certainly has very little to do with making one  feel okay, rather it is more about finding obedience in a relationship of divine love that is perpetually calling us.

Perhaps, it may be good to look at our own faith convictions.  What are your faith convictions? Can you distinguish these apart from what other people believe, or tell you to believe?  Lastly, how is your life different because of these convictions of faith?

The Passionists join with our fellow Americans in celebrating all those in the armed services who have fallen in the line of duty. Many of our Passionists throughout the years have served as chaplains and know from their own first-hand experience the great responsibility these men and women have shouldered.  We owe them an incalculable gift of gratitude. Please join us in remembering these fallen heroes.

Prayer for Those Who Have Fallen in Battle

All Powerful God,
We honor today those men and women—
Our sons and daughters,
Husbands and wives,
Fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers—
Who have laid down their life for their country.

Whether weary or emboldened, quiet or defiant,
Vulnerable or ready when You called them home,
Their sacrifice is too humbling for words
except these uttered in prayer.

Loving Lord, bless them forever in Your eternal peace.
Let the sounds of strife, the cries of battle, the wounds of war
be calmed for all eternity in Your loving and endless grace.
Let these great warriors find rest at last,
Ever reminded that we who are left behind
Cherish their spirit, honor their commitment,
send them our love,
and will never forget the service that they gave.

God, our Father, you gave me the great gift of life through the love of my mother and father.  For all the good and happy memories, I thank you.  For any painful or sorrowful memories, I ask forgiveness and grant it in return.

Growing up, I was surrounded by relatives, friends and classmates.  I thank you for them, I bless them for how they have enriched me, and I ask for a heart that forgives and is at peace.

You blessed me with the love of a spouse, with children and grandchildren.  For all this richness I bless you, and I ask pardon for any ways I may have offended.

I entrust all I love to you.  I ask for your protection for all parents expecting children, that they may treasure the gift of life.  I ask your blessing on all mother and fathers raising children in these difficult times.  May they grow to love you and serve you, as I have tried to do, with your help.

Amen.

Good Saint Anne and Saint Joachim,
parents of Mary and grandparents to Jesus,
be with me and all grandparents
that we may be wise and loving,
may share our time and stories and sense of
humor, and may enjoy and not spoil too much
the grandchildren who are close to our hearts,
for they are the sign of God’s life to us.
Jesus and Mary, be with our grandchildren
and all other grandchildren
that they may love and respect their
grandparents and all older people,
may remember to call, visit or write,
and grow in wisdom, age and grace before God.

Amen.

Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy.

Lord, just a few things on my mind today, as I sit and rest for a while.  I think you won’t mind listening, for you made me this way and you already know me through and through:

Lord, it’s my eyes: they’re tired. I can’t see too well, it’s hard to read the paper or watch TV, and I just can’t find the right glasses when I need them:  Lord, have mercy.

Lord, it’s my ears: nobody speaks loud enough, the music is always too strong, I can’t hear the priest at Mass, but I do like the quiet at home: Christ, have mercy.

Lord, my knees and legs: they won’t do what I tell them, they fall asleep too fast, and those steps are just too steep: Lord, have mercy.

Lord, food: it just doesn’t taste the same, it gets harder to shop and cook, and I can’t eat what I want to anyway: Christ, have mercy.

Lord, pains and aches: there are two new ones every day, at times I’m embarrassed before other people, and then I worry about having something serious happen: Lord, have mercy.

Lord, there are too many pills: I can’t seem to keep them straight or take them at the right time, and I sometimes worry I may take too many or too few: Christ, have mercy.

Lord, I’m lonely: the phone never rings, I haven’t had visitors in ages, and when they do come I’m not much of a host: Christ, have mercy.

Lord sleep: can’t rest all night, and then I nod off all during the day, it makes me impatient and irritable, and my memory has gone to the dogs: Lord, have mercy.

Lord, You sure do have a sense of humor; you’ve made me for Yourself.  Bear with me as I try to figure out how best to give myself to You these days.

Lord, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.