music

Taizé Worship Part 5

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 19:03:36 +0100

Reconciliation

Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8: 29) Answering this question we define our own Christology. At Taizé, Jesus Christ is celebrated as a reconciler internally and externally. Carefully avoiding anything that could divide the churches and joining together various worship practices, Taizé answers, ‘Jesus Christ, you are reconciler.’ Taizé has been teaching and seeking reconciliation for over 50 years. Reconciling Christianity is the spirituality of Taizé that is seen in the worship and prayer practice of Taizé. Taizé brothers who come from more than twenty-five nations learn to live in a multiracial and multi-denominational life. As they pray together, they make one step forward to a peaceful living. Multiracial visitors come to pray, sharing the contemplative and peaceful songs of Taizé. As they pray together, they learn and are challenged by the words: forgiveness and reconciliation.

Taizé gradually becomes an inspiration to people who are against any form of war: political and religious. Taizé becomes a spiritual peace movement, in a sense. Taizé sings “Nothing can trouble nothing can frighten; those who seek God never go wanting. Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten: God alone fills us. (Nada te turbe)” By singing these words of Teresa of Avila, Taizé becomes spiritually ready to embrace peace. Jesus also said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (John 14: 27)” To embrace the peace of God Taizé sings and asks God’s promise, “Send us your peace, O Lord, send us your peace O Lord.” These prayers prepare the Taizé community to continuously witness peace and reconciliation in the world.

What is next?

Taizé Worship Part 4

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 19:03:57 +0100

Love

In simplicity, Brother Roger believes in “God, who never gives us anything less than all his love.” God is love, to be experienced and to be shared. Love is open. Love endlessly reconciles all. This movement also creates inner quality to form human solidarity with the poor. Then we can say that the Spirit of Christ transforms the world with an all-embracing love. Love heals our heart, because only in Jesus’ love, can we practice repentance and forgiveness. Repentance and forgiveness can be only produced because of Jesus’ love. Jesus’ love asks us to forgive and learn to live generously. Only in his forgiveness, could we live together peacefully. For me, Taizé helps people to love and choose “peace,” by helping people pray and meet a peace-loving God. Jesus’ love is welcoming and joyful with children. So, Taizé welcomes young people and wants to pray with them and hear their story. This changes young people. Taizé got rid of the monastic tendency to have less tolerance toward youth and children. Taizé believes that Jesus’ love can bring openness, peace, generosity and ecumenism. Taizé pays more attention to this virtue and character than accomplish justice in this world. Taizé embraces kindness over radical social reform.

Taizé Worship Part 3

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 19:05:48 +0100

Icons

Icons are important for prayer at Catholic and Orthodox churches. These religions consider an icon as an opened window of prayer. Placing oneself before an icon is a gesture of prayer. Since Taizé desires to pray together with Catholics and Orthodox, they place icons for praying.

Liturgically the most important one is this icon of Jesus on the cross: see the picture on your left: Images। After an evening service, this cross will be laid in the middle. A couple of candles will be laid on top of the icon. Then, in turn, about five to ten people will gather around for prayer. These five or ten people would gaze, pray, and converse with Jesus. This icon helps young people to pray longer. This icon can help to keep from other distracting thoughts. The icon helps to meditate on this incident in the Bible. Taizé uses this monastic icon as a meditative tool for deeper prayer. This is the only icon that I thought about using at our evening Taizé prayer, thinking our Presbyterians might like this icon as a reminder of Jesus who was crucified.

Arts

Taizé has simple symbols that are sold in the shop. Taizé spiritual symbols are simple in nature. Click here to see the cross in the form of bird, reminding us of the Holy Spirit. This bird reminds us of the dove that comes down from heaven on Jesus’ shoulder after his baptism. This symbol of the Holy Spirit reminds us of the event of Pentecost as the Holy Spirit comes down on us.

What is next?
Items from the workshops of Taizé and “Les Presses de Taizé.”

Taizé Worship Part 2

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 19:06:35 +0100

Singing and Praying

Taizé liturgy is developed only for prayer. Prayer is the most powerful tool that Taizé intentionally chooses. Praying is itself a ministry. Taizé liturgy was developed through Br Roger’s personal prayer life. So, his personal spiritual practice caused this worship renewal. As a son of a pastor of the Swiss Reformed tradition, Br Roger believed Christianity needed a greater reformation especially for the younger generation. So, early Taizé reformed Christian worship from the Reformed Tradition. Taizé still maintains a strong emphasis on Scripture, but got rid of the pulpit, preaching, and offering. Liturgically they got rid of everything except singing, praying and reading the Bible. The usage of silence and candles and their distinctive seating arrangement were implemented.

Taizé prayer has grown liturgically answering this question, “How could we pray together?” while evangelical worship tries to answer “how can I be saved?” After several innovative steps they developed a liturgy for their ecumenical spirituality. Taizé spirituality and liturgy also emphasizes reconciliation, goodness, love, simplicity, silent prayer, and ritual symbols.

“How could we pray together?” Answering this question, a local congregation can develop a prayer service based on their locality and spirituality. At a local church the issue is not so much about how to pray together with Catholics, but to pray together with multicultural people. Seeking ecumenism in the USA should also include all those who are evangelicals, conservatives and liberals. While new denominational or non-denominational churches increase it will be a spiritual quest to ask “how could we all pray together?” Struggling with this question may lead us to discover what Christianity really is about: ‘love God and love people.’ Struggling with this question may lead us to find an ecumenical worship form. We may discover or find practical ways to pray together.

Taizé’s liturgy can help us to pray together। Songs from Taizé shares their insight on how to set up a prayer-space: making the prayer-space harmonious, with a cross, an icon, an open bible, candles, or flowers. Taizé advises placing a carpet for those who wish to kneel, or sit on the ground; and chairs and benches for those who prefer. Songs from Taizé suggested that the lighting should be subdued, not glaring; and it is preferable for all the participants to face the same direction.

Singing is one of the most essential elements of Taizé prayer. The songs, using just a few words, express the basic reality of faith. As Taizé liturgy sings each song many times, God’s reality gradually penetrates the whole being. Since each song is simple, it enables us to continue praying and focusing on God, even after we leave the worship space and resume our daily lives.

Taizé songs do not use many words. Taizé sings a few words in repetition for contemplative prayer. Taizé also makes sure that the portion of Scripture reading is easy to understand. They use words carefully. The repetition of the songs preaches and invites people to pray, meditate and contemplate. Following are words of some Taizé songs:

• It is good to trust and hope in the Lord.
• The Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom.
• In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful. In the Lord I will rejoice. Look to God. Do not be afraid. Life up your voices the Lord is near, lift up your voices the Lord is near.
• Our eyes are turned to the Lord Jesus Christ – our eyes are turned to the Lord God, our Savior. (Oculi nostril)
• Our darkness is never darkness in your sight: the deepest night is clear as the daylight.
• Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God’s holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life.
• O we adore you, Lord Jesus Christ.
• Holy Spirit, come to us. Kindle in us the fire of your love. Holy Spirit come to us, Holy Spirit, come to us.
• Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us. Let not my doubts and my darkness speak to me, Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us, let my heart always welcome your love. (Jésus le Christ)
• When the night becomes dark, your love, O Lord, is a fire, your love, O Lord, is a fire.
• Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.

What is next?
Would you like to lead a Taizé service at your local setting? You may choose your 5 favorite songs from here. I have used the following book in the beginning as well. Using the 5 songs and 2 other songs that people know, you may follow this liturgy.

1. Sing a song
2. Sing a song
3. Read a Scripture from the Gospel
4. Sing a song
5. Sing a song
6. Silent Meditation (for about 10 minutes)
7. Sing a song
8. Prayers of Intercession: Sing once a short song at the beginning, then again after each intercessory prayer.
9. Sing a song
10. Concluding Prayer
11. Sing a song

a mystery

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 19:06:52 +0100

Jesus was showing the love of God. But there was a time when Jesus was hiding himself. The religious authority tried to kill him. Jesus was misunderstood terribly, because of who he was: divine. The presence of Jesus was totally misunderstood. They persecuted Jesus saying he was blaspheming.

In their lack of wisdom, they persecuted Jesus even though Jesus was doing the very will of God. But Jesus couldn’t simply be killed without celebrating the last Passover with his disciples. So, Jesus hid.

Jesus knew when the time has come. Now Jesus was to decide whether to remain in Jerusalem to be killed or not. That long night, Jesus spent time in prayer. He needed to talk with the Father while waiting for his betrayer to come.

What a tough moment it has been to him! Jesus needs every comfort that he could get. He asked Peter, and two other disciples to watch and pray, not only for him but also for them.

The divine wisdom designs that the beloved Son of God is to die to save the world. Now Jesus is given a chance to lay down his life. Jesus knows what he wants.

Making his decision final, Jesus prays three times. It is very striking to note that Jesus asks to move away the very cup that he comes to drink. Jesus knows fully well that he comes to do this, but even Jesus is rethinking the whole thing.

We are thankful for Jesus. We are grateful that it was done. On the cross, Jesus is also happy to say, “It is finished!” Now it is time to go back to his old day, with his Father, in heaven. We rejoice with Jesus. No more pain for him. It is done and over. And yet, his disciples will carry their own crosses following Jesus. They are to tell the story of Jesus, so that people can understand. I think it is painful for Jesus to allow his disciples to go through the same treatments. It is understandable because Jesus loves them. So, Jesus helps them by sending his very Spirit.

There is a mystery in this. We need to remember and chew this part of the story. When you comes to this part of the story, you have two questions:
1) What is the meaning of his death? (See Christ hymn or the law of Christ)
2) Why is there so much resistance toward the love of God?

Jesus claimed...

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 19:07:04 +0100

Jesus claimed to be the Son of God.

Jesus claimed that he came to do the will of his Father.

Jesus claimed that he was to heal the sick on the Sabbath because his Father was working.

Jesus claimed that he was going to die and rise again on the third day.

Jesus claimed coming back.

Praying Jesus

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 19:07:16 +0100

In Mark 1: 35-39, we see Jesus who begins his ministry. The result is fantastic. (Mark 1: 29-34) He heals many and casts out demons.

Then, very early in the morning, while it was still dark, when everybody slept, Jesus disappeared. Jesus found a solitary place and prayed. (Mark 1:35) Jesus might have been praying and making decisions. Without knowing what this prayer is, Simon and his friends got up and looked for him. When they found Jesus, they were puzzled and said: “Everyone is looking for you!” (Mark 1:36-37) It was like: “Everyone is looking for you… by the way… What are you doing here?” The students did not understand about the prayer. Jesus didn’t bother to explain about his prayer life at this point. Jesus simply made an announcement: “I got to go to the next village to preach.” At this time his students didn’t know how Jesus was making all those decisions. It was through prayer. It was a very important part of his ministry.

It was very new to the students. But they faithfully followed their Lord, whether they understood or not. Then they understood later that prayer was more important ministry than anything else.

Trinity as divine community

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 19:07:31 +0100

Jesus understands that he is the Son of God. The Son of God is included within the Godhead. The Spirit is included in the Godhead. The Father is included in the Godhead. They are “one.” They are in unity. Trinity is in unity.

Jesus called his students to be part of this unity. That is an amazing invitation. Jesus invites “Be grafted into the movement of the Trinity.” “If you are in me and I am in you, ask whatever. It will be yours.” The generosity of Jesus is simply unbelievable.

Trinity means One. The three Persons are individuals in relationship and communion. Three persons are dynamically alive in a circle of relationship. Trinity internally consists of a fellowship of three. Trinity is in sociality, mutuality, reciprocity and peace.

The word, Trinity is a theological word. There is the Father who is a father to the Son. There is the Son who is a son to the Father. In the relationship, there is humility and love which constantly inspiring each other.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit are interdependent. The Spirit glorifies the Father in the Son and the Son in the Father. This everlasting relationship explains the love as the main character of Trinity. God is love. It is inner and outer life of Trinity. This is the true identity.

Love bonds Trinity. It is the fair beauty of our Lord. So when Christ speaks, love comes out. We are asked to be grafted into this love.

Trinity is in the act of mutual sharing of life and love among Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This fellowship is working beauty. Trinity is ever revealing this inner love. Trinity is love.

Trinity shows us how to live and seek the well-being of our own town. To follow Trinity is to live in the community of mutual love and friendship, while worshiping Jesus who revealed to us this beauty.

Taizé Worship Part 1

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 19:08:57 +0100

Taizé worship seeks peace and ecumenicalism. Taizé humbly introduces a very inclusive Christian worship in order to pray with all denominations. This unorthodox and generous Christian worship is possible because Taizé practices the gospel by trying to understand. Evangelical worship emphasizes the great commission of Mathew 28: 16-20. Almost in the same degree, Taizé worship emphasizes, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, brimming over, will be poured out for you; the measure you give is the measure you will receive.” (Luke 6:37-38)

When we do not judge, then we are able to practice openness and forgiveness for others. “No judging” creates an inner quality for love, peace and reconciliation. Judging requires a lot of negative energy. When we stop our thoughts from judging another person’s hidden motive, intention or character, we may simply address our differences and create a dialogue of peace and reconciliation. By not judging but trusting, we could find a road to peace.

In many aspects Taizé emphasizes reconciliation and forgiveness. “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) Taizé prays for reconciliation between religious denominations, peoples, and nations. In a multiethnic world, Taizé prayer becomes a spiritual force to bind people together for peace. In order to do that, Taizé provides constructive ideas to worship together. For example, Taizé teaches how to invite another language into worship. These efforts are Taizé evangelism, so to speak: make people to be reconciled to God and to one another.

Christianity means to commit oneself to peace and reconciliation through prayer and action. When a church prays for peace on earth continuously, the prayer formulates a commitment for peace. That is what Taizé prayer shows to churches: praying and seeking the possibility of peace. It creates peaceful societies.

Taizé shares its liturgical innovation and various liturgical possibilities to pray together at a local church. But Taizé is reluctant to preach their theology. It is because Taizé is not a theological movement but a liturgical movement. Taizé loves to share spirituality through its liturgical songs and liturgical formulation. This liturgical invention is part of what causes spiritual renewal, causing people pray longer. So, the only way to find out the spirituality of Taizé is to pray in their liturgy. It will reveal itself. Their spirituality is also shared through their life style.

What is next?
Would like to know more about Taizé? I recommend:

Jesus, who are you?

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 19:13:31 +0100

What did Jesus claim to be? Jesus claimed to the Messiah. The Messiah? What does that mean? The Messiah means anointed one. Christ means the same thing. So, Jesus is the Messiah and the Christ. It means the chosen one of God.

For what purpose is he chosen? John the Baptist says that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus was chosen to take away the sins of the world.

So, boldly, Jesus says to people, “Your sins are forgiven!” So boldly, Jesus says to his students, “You have authority to forgive people!” In this way, Jesus takes away the sins of the world. This single teaching is taught through the way Jesus lives, through his teaching, life, suffering, death and resurrection.