Live
“What if Jesus’ death on the cross is a continuation of Jesus teaching us? What if the crucifixion were that great and utterly gratuitous expression of God’s love for us showing us that it is possible for us to live as Jesus lived? I mean to live precisely as though death were not.”
– Br. Robert L’Esperance
On Wednesday, the Brothers pray the ancient monastic office of Tenebrae, a service that derives from the monastic services of matins and lauds. The liturgy uses darkness and the gradual extinguishing of candles, until only a single candle remains, a symbol of our Lord. The service provides an opportunity for sustained reflection on the Lord’s suffering and death.
This liturgy, parts of which you can listen to below, is a choral offering, with chanted psalms and canticles set to plainsong and chanted lessons from the Lamentations of Jeremiah (in which each verse is introduced by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet). As you listen, you might light a candle, allowing its light to inspire your meditation.
In what ways has Jesus’ coming penetrated the darkness of your own life? In what ways are you blind, or unable to see?
Audio:
Chanted Lessons from the Lamentations of Jeremiah
Sermons:
“Live As Though Death Does Not Matter” – Br. Robert L’Esperance
An invitation to see Jesus’ death on the cross not as sacrifice, but as the ultimate teaching of Jesus’ core message: we do not have to live our lives as death’s victims.
“And It Was Night” – Br. James Koester
We only know the relief of dawn when the terrors of the night have kept us awake, so spend some time today in the darkness.
Video:
 Paradox (3:11) Br. Jonathan Maury |
 On Tenebrae (4:09) Br. David Vryhof |
 “Light of the World” (40:37) Br. David V. |