Holy Tuesday: A Journey Through Holy Week

Passion Libretto Part I: The Farewell Discourse

This is day two of a six day free Holy Week offering. On this Holy Tuesday, in the Passion Libretto Part I: The Farewell Discourse, Cynthia focuses on the voluntary nature of substituted love reminding us that Jesus freely gave of his life rather than being coerced into it as a victim of hate. She shares why she chose the text on the Farewell Discourse from the Gospel of John to start out and set the meaning and context of the passion. She also invites us to lean into the reality that Jesus was trying to communicate to all of us. That we are part of a dynamic inter-abiding love, a mutual and reciprocal giving, and to remain in that relational field with courage and equanimity trusting it is all held in the hands of God.

As a way of meditatively engaging this material, we invite you to light a candle, take a few conscious breaths, find your feet, and sink into the quiet that always exists deeply within the sanctuary of your heart. Then, as you are ready, begin to listen to Cynthia’s commentary from the ear of your open heart awareness. Today’s video is about 9 minutes. 

Follow this up by working with the text for Part I by way of the practice of Lectio Divina using this simple modified version:

Read the text or portion of the text, paying attention to what word or phrase stands out to you and allow yourself to repeat it briefly.

Read it a second time, slowly listening and paying attention to what is resonating within, what is troubling, what speaks directly to the heart even if we don’t understand or know why. Listen with your three centers noticing how the text lands in your body in sensation, gestures, postures as well as emotions and feelings that emerge. Allow your mind to ponder the thoughts, associations, and images that arise. Reflect on what comes up and whether there is a specific way it is speaking directly to you. Listen for what is relevant to your life right now.

Read it a third time, noticing whether a prayer or mantra emerges that can be offered on behalf of you, others, the world, or God.

Listen to the music of Part I of “The Passion,” allowing it to wash over you, resting collected as all that has taken place in the inner sanctuary of your heart continues to settle and assimilate, as you simply sit in the mystery allowing it to draw you deeper. Today’s music is about 14 minutes.

If this audio file does not work in your browser, click here to play the music.

Finally, write down some of what spoke to you from this reflective meditation. What does today’s material teach you about substituted love?

A blessed Holy Week,

Cynthia Bourgeault & Wisdom Waypoints Board

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41 thoughts on “Holy Tuesday: A Journey Through Holy Week

  1. Cynthia unpacks the Final Discourse so beautifully. I have read the words before, but never 1) heard them as SPOKEN words–they weren’t sterile, they were alive; and 2) how emotional and beautiful they are. I could imagine myself sitting in that upper room and listening to them, utterly mesmerized by their power. Her libretto brings this out so well. And the music adds to the impact. I am looking forward to the rest of this week!

  2. This is so lovely.
    Is there somewhere that this Oratorio can be downloaded to be listened to all at once and in the future? I would be happy to pay for it.
    Thank you,
    M

  3. Thank you so much for your words, focusing on substituted love rather than suffering victim. What a difference it makes. Listening to the music I found myself crying. I was looking into soft eyes of mercy that were saying “I will not leave you orphans, I will come for you” and “abide in my love”. As Jesus and I (and all) are intertwined, I believe Jesus will not come for us, He has never left, we were never orphaned. I couldn’t see that through a heart that was living solidly in world 48.
    Deep Gratitude

  4. My whole being is tingling listening to Cynthia and the divine beautiful music! Holy and filled with Love. The Divine is not far from my heart. I am that too. How much Love there is, available, and fulfilling, when the Heart is free to BE that LOVE! Thank you for this generous gift. It is very precious to be reminded again of the grace of Being!

  5. I am loving these sessions. Thank you, Cynthia and Wisdom Waypoints Team.

    The Holy Wednesday link isn’t working. I hope t can be fixed, as I don’t want to miss a session.

  6. Jesus:
    Jn 16:19 A little while and you will see me no longer.
    Jn 14:30 The prince of this world is coming.
    Jn 16:20 You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.
    Jn 16:23 But take heart: I have overcome the world.

    I sense the echo of grief that Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene endured at the foot of the cross… as well as the promise of Thy Kingdom come.

    Surely, the times we are living in bare witness to “Jn 16:20 You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.” How to endure the grief of this world day in and day out? The knowing, in the depth of my heart, he has overcome the world and abides in me…and I in him. Verily, he has not abandoned me, nor I him.

  7. I feel as if all of us are learning from an investigative reporter who is finally uncovering a truth,…one that was hidden for so long, and now, in this very liminal time, in both our inner and outer world, something vital to all of us is being revealed….. a love that it seems we are losing, but no… is preparing the way. thank you thank you Cynthia

  8. Dear Cynthia
    My heart is just filled with the tremendous love of God for Jesus, Jesus’ tremendous love for me – us for God, our world. The word trust comes alive within me today even though I have struggled all of my life to believe in it.

    The music lends a deep contemplative prayer within me as I pray The Farewell Discourse. I am a liturgical dancer. Before this week is over I will choreograph/dance this Farewell Discourse, as my prayer
    Questions. How would you define “substituted love”
    Where do I find Wisdom Waypoints.
    Thank you so much for sharing your gifts!

    Thank you, Cynthia

  9. Beautiful! Thank you!
    What are the chances that these videos are uploaded to YouTube so we can have captions and translations?

  10. Dear Reverend Dr. Bourgeault and your magnificent sacred community,
    Thank you for this holy offering and your always sage words. I love that you took the “cœur” out of courage meaning heart in French, as you said. Gorgeous. This week is the Holiest of Holies. I understand why The Beloved Lord had to die in order for the miracle of The Resurrection, but I will never understand why He had to suffer SO horrifically. If I make it to Heaven it will be my first question to The Almighty. Many of you will disagree with me, but the Jews did not “kill” The Lord Jesus Christ as they were prohibited to do so under Roman Law. The Romans did indeed “execute, murder” The Son of God, but the Jews starting from the top with Caiphas plotted His murder. It is ALL there in Scripture. I am a devout lifelong practicing RC and know of course that Jesus Christ was born a Jew. But, He was a rebel and came to shake things up. He instituted the Roman Catholic Church at The Last Supper, The Institution of The Eucharist. I know I am simplifying this but the “Protestant” as in “protest” church did not exist until Martin Luther in the 1500’s who was a revered RC Augustinian Monk. He did not want to leave the Catholic Church. I absolutely understand why he did. God bless you all on this sacred journey as we await The Resurrection of The Beloved Lord, Saviour of the World, King of Kings, Helena

  11. Thank you for this beautiful way to move through holy week. Loved the music, it is very uplifting. The words in the discourse that stood out to me were: “where I am going, you cannot follow now…I will come to you.

  12. What a beautiful gift to receive during Holy Week! Thank you, thank you, you! God bless Cynthia and Ray and all those who hear these words and music.

  13. Thank You Cythia for this beautiful gift. The music is equisite.The vision of a feather floating upwards rather than receiving gravitational pull downwards lingered throughout the piece.

  14. Dear Cynthia,
    I am so overjoyed by your offering of libretto and music! I would love to have permission to share this with the choir I sing with and with my Morning Prayer and Compline groups that I pray with daily. What a gift you have given to us for this Holy Week! Words are hard to find that express my gratitude.
    Blessings and thanks to you for making this a most Holy Week!
    Winnie Grace

  15. Thank you so much. This feeds my essence. Thank you for my daily bread this Tuesday morning. Amen.

  16. Cynthia, you were truly inspired by the Holy Spirit when creating this Libretto. Just the right words to bring forth Jesus’ deep love for humanity. My heart sings with the music that Ray Adams composed.
    The Teacher’s tender concern for us all.
    Thank you for sharing this.

  17. So needed during this liminal time of transformational change in our outer and inner worlds as we crack open like a new born chick to the remembrance of divine love birthing us a new
    Much gratitude ✨❤️✨

  18. Thank you Cynthia for the gift of this Passion for Holy Week. I feel so moved by your words in the video and your introduction. My heart comes alive knowing that we are the branches of the Vine, and the different and beautiful take on the self-offering of Jesus in transformative love for the world. I’m so glad I signed up for this. Thank you again.

  19. Apparently the audio file does not play on some browsers. Click the alternate link, and that should work.

  20. Dear Cynthia,
    Your voice so delicately expresses the love which Jesus surely meant to leave us with. How beautiful to begin the Passion in this way! Thank you, thank you!
    “…your grief will turn to joy”….and as you said, “we are being held in love” as we go through this week of remembering the Passion and as we are aware of the suffering in today’s world.
    (I look forward to the music button coming on-line.)
    In peace,
    Cara

  21. What a beautiful beginning to Holy Week are these two days. Thank you. The best rendition of the passion. My heart sings with joy

  22. Thank you for this beautiful reflection Cynthia. So wonderful to have a libretto that reflects the intentional love behind Jesus’s ultimate offering.
    The vine needs the branches, as well as the branches needing the vine because the branches manifest the vine – making clear and beautiful the life force. Yes!! Abide in my (reciprocal) Love… Love one another as I have loved you. My goodness if only we can spread this gift into the world, what a different place it would be.

    I can’t play the music though – the little arrow to begin it is not ‘alive’ – is there anything I can do?

  23. If you are unable to play the music; I have a mac so I tapped on the audio box and copied the music address into my web browser. Then from there, I clicked on the address and it downloaded it to my computer. From there, I was able to open the music and listen to it. Hope this helps.

  24. Thank you so much Cynthia. I am deeply moved by your commentary and will look and linger and listen again.
    My link to the music does not work – it was wonderful to hear it in the background during your today’s talk though.

  25. What a wonderful gift to journey through this Holy week, with reflection and contemplation our Saviours love and sacrifice.
    Thank you Cynthia for this wonderful presentation.

  26. I found the music very beautiful and very meditative. Since childhood I have been trying to make sense of the Passion and death of Jesus. At last I see that it is all about substituted love – all about love and peace.
    I have worked through and discarded theologies of the myth of Adam and Eve and the fall; blaming the Jews; scapegoating etc. None of them ever made sense .
    Jesus came I believe to show and teach us about love.
    Thanks Cynthia.

  27. Dear Wisdom Waypoints

    I am deeply grateful for the gift of this Holy Week offering of Cynthia’s commentary and the passion from Ray Adams. I am able to access the video from Cynthia and the text but for some reason the music will not play when I try. I dont know if this is other’s experience? I cant seem to find any other way of accessing the music. It may be that I just have to let go of hearing it, but if there is any other way for the link to the music to be given so it can work then I would be very grateful

    many blessings

    Julia Richmond

  28. I praise the wisdom and gift of faith of Cynthia.
    I liked Jesus words : “you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. But take heart: I have overcome the world.” It gave me encouragement and hope for our suffering world. It also gave me inner joy that Jesus is walking in my all situations. This statement ” full extent of His love”. Jesus’ love is a sea of life for me.

  29. Thanks so far, also for Cynthia’s video comment. However, I can’t get the player to start. Do I need a special player or is the music not loaded yet?

  30. I clicked on the start button for the music, but it is disabled (grayed out). Please fix it. Thank you!

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