The Casa del Sol Prayer of Jesus

Ground of all being,
Mother of life, Father of the universe,
Your name is sacred, beyond speaking.
May we know your presence,
may your longings be our longings in heart and in action.
May there be food for the human family today
and for the whole earth community.
Forgive us the falseness of what we have done
as we forgive those who are untrue to us.
Do not forsake us in our time of conflict
but lead us into new beginnings.
For the light of life, the vitality of life, and the glory of life
are yours now and for ever.
Amen



This Lord's Prayer paraphrase was written by J. Philip Newell, text reprinted from GhostRanch.org.

The prayer is printed with color photos of the New Mexico landscape as Ground Of All Being: The Prayer Of Jesus In Color.

You can find the score to chant the prayer, composed by David Poole, here.

Madonna of the Trail, Patron of Pilgrims of Justice

The Madonna of the Trail, as seen on the front page of the website, stands at Glenn Miller Park in Richmond, Indiana, along the National Road, once a path for pioneers seeking economic and spiritual freedom in the Western United States. For Jubilee Road, the Madonna of the Trail symbolizes all pilgrims in search of justice, and our reliance on the traveling Christ who protects and guides us along the way.

Here are some reflections from the history of the Madonna of the Trail project, which placed twelve statues along National Road throughout the country.

The "Pioneer Mother" in the sculpture wears a sunbonnet. Clasping a baby in her arm and with a small boy hanging onto her apron, she is carrying a rifle. The face of the mother, strong in character, beauty, and gentleness is the face of a woman who realizes her responsibilities and trusts in God...

Harry Truman, later our 33rd president, was a powerful force in this project. He dedicated each statue personally in each state along the trail. In Ohio he acknowledged "the intrepid women," his own grandmothers included, "who endured the bone-wrenching weariness and difficult travel." He said,

"They were just as brave or braver than their men because, in many cases, they went with sad hearts and trembling bodies. They went, however, and endured every hardship that befalls a pioneer."

Along with other patrons and Madonnas, she prays with the pilgrim,

Walk with us, Jesus of the Road,
as you accompanied your disciples
     to Emmaus.
Only open our eyes to see you.
Open our hearts to not fear
     your resurrection,
which is the new life
     we journey toward,
for our destination is you.

The Charter of Compassion

In 2008, religion scholar Karen Armstrong won a TED Prize for the following wish:

I wish that you would help with the creation, launch and propagation of a Charter for Compassion, crafted by a group of leading inspirational thinkers from the three Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam and based on the fundamental principles of universal justice and respect.

Watch her related TED Talk that led to the formation of the Charter for Compassion, a collaborative effort among all who gave input on the website, plus international interfaith religious leaders. The Charter is slated for a November 2009 public release.



Consider the following questions. Your responses are invited in the comments section of this post.

• What experiences in your own life connect with the Golden Rule?
• Where have you seen or heard scriptures interpreted through the lens of "What is harmful to yourself do not do to others. That is the sum of the Torah. Go and study."?
• What steps must the religious and spiritual people of the world take to enact this Charter for Compassion in our daily living?
• In what ways do you see the Charter for Compassion connecting to the vision and mission of Jubilee Road?
  

You can be a part of Jubilee Road

Jubilee Road Liturgy Group is hoping you can join us.

If you write prayers, songs, or other materials, consider submitting them for publication by Jubilee Road Liturgy Group.

More detailed information will come later, but for now, we are currently looking for

• writers and leaders of liturgy
• preachers
• musicians
• visual artists
  
• bloggers
• workshop facilitators
• advisory/visionary group
• space to hold meetings, worship and workshops

If you would like to join us, send an email about your interests and how you see your work fitting with Jubilee Road.

Jubilee Road is also open to contributions from individuals and groups that might not be listed above. READ MORE

The Prayer Jesus Taught Us

The Prayer of Jesus (Lord's Prayer or Paternoster) has stirred the spirits of Christ's followers ever since he taught it to his first disciples. Jubilee Road deeply appreciates this early liturgical prayer, and provides some links and adaptations for further exploration of the prayer wherein Christ dwells.

Chapel of the Jubilee

One possible incarnation of the Jubilee Road Liturgy Group is to open a chapel in Richmond, Indiana, where the former route of the Underground Railroad intersects with National Road, built in the nineteenth century for pioneers headed westward, toward the hope of economic and political renewal. The point of intersection of these two pilgrimage routes lies in the heart of downtown Richmond. The chapel would hold regular (possibly daily) ecumenical gatherings for worship; encourage involvement in the life of the city, especially to spend time among those on the economic margins; and be open to all travelers and wanderers in life and faith. The chapel would not be intended to replace the local congregation, but would, by the grace of God, add to the life of all followers of Christ who pass through our city. A more detailed outline is here in .pdf format. If you are interested in this idea, contact Jubilee Road or leave a comment about how you might want to help carry this vision forward together.


UPDATE 15 March 2008

To help envision this better, here's Google Maps' 360 degree image of the intersection of East Main Street (National Road/ US40) and the Underground Railroad (9th Street/US 27).




View Larger Map

Praying as Jesus taught us, every day

Our Mother and Father
dwelling within and beyond,
  blessed is your name.
May your presence be known,
as your will is done among us,
  around us and beyond us.
Provide us the bread of full life for this day.
Forgive us of our failure to love you,
  as we forgive those who fail to love us.
Shield us from our own destruction,
  and deliver us from all that harms.
For your presence is justice, peace and love,
  now and forever. Amen

Download the text of this prayer.

For another version of the Prayer of Jesus, The Prayer of Heaven is a brief Daily Office I crafted around the Prayer of Jesus.

More adaptations of this beloved prayer to come.


For two millenia, followers of Jesus have shared a prayer so rich and powerful that is has remained nearly unaltered, and, for many congregations and individuals, still recited regularly. In my own personal discipline, the Prayer of Jesus (or the Lord's Prayer) often arises spontaneously from my spirit several times a day.

In this season of Lent, and even afterward, I invite all who wish to deepen your prayer life to pray the Prayer of Jesus at least once every day. It is not necessary that you pray exactly the words passed on to us in King James English. You might want to try an adaptation, like the ones above.


original prayers (see permissions)