Instructions to guide you in the prayerful practice of silence and solitude meditating on John 15:1-11.
Preparation:
IMPORTANT: Look over the introduction and read these instructions in their entirety before you begin. Read the text from a paper Bible, not your phone. Try to make sure you have at least 20 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is ok! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer, it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.
Context:
The final “I Am” saying is found in the middle of Jesus’ last conversation before his glorification, in John 15. Jesus is giving his disciples, his “friends” (15:15), an image that will shape their imagination for generations, a picture of the organic nature of life in God’s love, of fruitful life in His Kingdom. “Abiding,” or making ourselves at home, in our relation to Jesus is envisioned as living in congruence with our divinely imaged biology (or botany in this metaphor!), naturally and in the proper seasons, bearing the inevitable results in utter delight.
Practice:
READ
With this background, read John 15:1-11.
Now that you are familiar with the context, and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today.
If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.
Now, reread the passage slowly, immersing yourself in the encounter with Jesus. Remember that those who lived through this experience felt very much as you would if you had been in their place. As you read, listen for:
A word or phrase or a detail in the story that stands out to you.
Where you find yourself in the passage: Consider what it would be like to be a part of the vine. Imagine yourself not as a single plant in your own space in the garden, but as a branch attached to a deep-rooted vine that covers the entire vineyard.
In either case, do not choose this yourself, let the Spirit bring it to you.
REFLECT
As you reflect on the passage, consider one of the following:
The word or phrase that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?
Who you found yourself to be in the passage. What does it feel like to be a part of the vine? Let yourself “feel the stir/Of inward sap as it rises from your root/Himself deep planted in the ground of love.” What brings your joy to fullness as part of this vine?
Give yourself 2-3 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How does this connect with my life today? What do I need to feel, to know, or be or do?”
RESPOND
Read the passage in John 15 one last time, preparing yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you.
Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or ask God for something. Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.
REST
Do as you are led for the last 3 minutes. You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus. You may want to pay attention to God, pondering especially: how did Jesus seem in the passage to his disciples, his friends, the community, the religious leaders, etc.? What about Jesus makes you want to worship him, or at least be with him? Sit in the companionship of Jesus—the vine, which is the very source of love that brings forth life now and forever.
A POEM TO PONDER
If you are interested in a little extra meditation on this final “I Am” sayings, here is a poem by Malcolm Guite for you to ponder:
How might it feel to be part of the vine?
Not just to see the vineyard from afar
Or even pluck the clusters, press the wine,
But to be grafted in, to feel the stir
Of inward sap that rises from our root,
Himself deep-planted in the ground of Love,
To feel a leaf unfold a tender shoot,
As tendrils curled unfurl, as branches give
A little to the swelling of the grape,
In gradual perfection, round and full,
To bear within oneself the joy and hope
Of God’s good vintage, till it’s ripe and whole.
What might it mean to bide and to abide
In such rich love as makes the poor heart glad?