C3/CCC Prayer Transcript for April 1, 2007
"Meeting Jesus in Shadow-land"
By Bob Kleinheksel

Spirit of Life, Mystery and Love, Christ presence - stirring and creating within, between and beyond; far beneath the many layers of indoctrination and disguises is the energy and substance of our original selves. As Winter wanes, we seek a deeper connection across the distances we have created between heart and mind, body and soul in order to catch another glimpse of who we are; we seek to be released of nagging doubts, anger, cynicism and greed that keep us from celebrating ourselves, others and the world; we seek to dwell in the freedom that allows us to be inquisitive and imperfect, truly human, humane and divine so that reconciliation might take place and sacred love and grace be given and received. On this day of Palms, we bring all that we are - open to who we are becoming. (Pause)

With the hope of nature’s resurrection in this springing season, we would recognize again that we both celebrate and deny what Jesus spoke of and lived out during the days in and around Jerusalem. We wave the branches of celebration and subversion and yet retain a spirit of skepticism, betrayal and negativity. We lay down the cloaks of our lives at the feet of this messenger and yet remain governed by convenience, gain and the market place. We accept in laziness and fear the tradition’s triumphal Christ instead of the human, peasant Jesus of history; the way of might rather than the hard work of peace. Might we choose bells over shells. Abide with us, Spirit of Life and Grace, so that we might, on this Holy day, be sparked into newness, compelled into action, tickled into laughter, moved to tears, drawn into generosity, forgiveness and communion with each other.

May we, in this hour, commit again to each other and to consider being about and living out compassion, hospitality, inclusivity, kindness and love - and to know with ever-deepening assurance that this would be our salvation for now and for all time. We commit again to setting our feet upon the road less traveled. May the reverberating grace and unity of creation be known personally, practically and specifically in our engagement with each other - with those disheartened and overwhelmed, those divorcing, those recovering, those dying, those seeking new employment and beginnings, those with great financial anxiety...those ready to throw it all in. We commit to share with each other in all things and to sense and share our greater humanity by saying and doing now.

We are people governed by myths and illusions. We look at shadows and claim to know. We seek fresh revelation and insight within and to break into our ignorance, our arrogance, our pretenses and conventions that limit and narrow our human experience. May we be awakened to lift up a fallen world and to bring to fullness the sacred dream of a united and healed cosmos. We turn our attention on one who would die at the hands of Imperial Rome and surrender for the likes of us so that the world could be freed of fear, domination and division.

Father of Jesus, Mother of Mystery, guide us now into newborn moments of wide-eyed amazement and realization. Move us so that we celebrate this Lenten day, the dawning of Spring and the re-birth of our inner-most being. We gather in honor and remembrance of the one who, with questions and courage, took a road less traveled and faced Jerusalem and execution and the end of his brief earthly journey. So be it. Amen.

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