I recently wrote a liturgy for personal devotion that I would like to share with you all. I am calling it a liturgy, and it definitely is one, but it is also a contemplative practice for starting a new day. I created it with my own spiritual progress in mind, but I hope it may be of value to others as well.
It is inspired by Philippians 2:1-18 where Paul encourages us to be of the same mind that was in Christ Jesus, sometimes referred to as “putting on the mind of Christ.” In this passage, Paul quotes a mysterious poem about Jesus and provides a commentary on it. No one really knows where the poem comes from or who wrote it, but scholars generally agree it predates Paul.
The poem describes the incarnation as kenosis which means “emptying out.” Christ pours his divine nature into the human person of Jesus, emptying himself in the process. The poem also describes the crucifixion, presenting it as the natural outcome of this self-emptying. To become fully human is to be obedient to death, since everyone who is born eventually dies.
Alongside this beautiful description of the incarnation, Philippians 2 provides a framework for spiritual transformation. By imitating the self-emptying of Jesus through humility and love, we are lifted up alongside him and participate in the mind of Christ. We die to ourselves by letting go of all our attachments, so that we might be born anew like the Phoenix. Our willingness to die is the key to our salvation. This is why Jesus said,
“If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)
Every morning over the last week I have endeavoured to internalise this teaching through the following liturgy, tweaking it as I go. I imagine it will continue to evolve over time. If you have any insights or feedback, I would love to hear them. If you found this article on Facebook, leave a comment on the post. If you are receiving it in an email, you can simply hit reply.
The liturgy assumes some theology that we don’t have the space to get into. Here are a few links to previous essays that provide some context. If you read them all in order there is an intentional sequence to them.
Body and Soul: The Union of Heaven and Earth
Wisdom: A Practical Skill and a Divine Person
The Peace of Christ: A Simple Contemplative Practice
The Litany of Kenosis is a series of short sentences, paraphrasing Philippians 2 and introducing the practice. Each sentence is read out loud while making the sign of the cross. The sign of the cross is made with an open hand touching the forehead, belly, left shoulder, and right shoulder. It is an ancient practice that symbolises our commitment to take up our cross and follow Jesus.
The medieval Celtic Christians made the sign of the cross frequently as a form of penance and considered Advent to be a penitential season. Their understanding of penance was not about punishment, however. Penance is medicine for the healing of souls. This is something I discussed in my recent conversation with Carmen Acevedo Butcher and Alana Levandoski which you can find HERE.
The litany of kenosis in the liturgy below is a list of short sentences introducing the practice and then paraphrasing parts of Philippians 2-4. Each sentence is read out loud while making the sign of the cross. Interspersed with the sentences of the litany are invitations to pause and take three kenotic breaths. To do this, gently breathe in as much as you need to be comfortable, no more and no less. Breathe out all the air in your lungs with an open mouth and a sigh of relief. Allow your exhale to embody the act of kenosis while using your feelings to practise the art of self-emptying.
Notice how it feels to be empty, allowing the Spirit to flow through you without resistance. Your breath should feel natural and effortless, not forced or contrived. A slow and mindful pace is key, perform the liturgy with exacting patience. Move and read slightly slower than feels normal. Empty yourself of worrying, judging, and attachments to efficiency. Be gentle and immerse yourself in the sacrament of the present moment.
The liturgy has four chants that are found in Psalter of the Birds, you can get a copy HERE.
Introit: For God alone my soul waits in silence, all my hope arises from her. She is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I shall never be shaken. In the name of the Mother, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Chant #2
Penitential Prayer: God of heaven and earth, Lord of my heart, where can I hide from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed under the earth, you are there as well. If I take flight on the wings of morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me. You have searched me and known me. You formed my inward parts and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise, for I am beautifully and wonderfully made. Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any hurtful way within me, and lead me on the ancient paths. You desire truth in my inner being, therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. My thoughts are not hidden from you as they are being formed in the recesses of my soul, intricately woven together in the depths of the earth. Restore to my mind the joy of your salvation, and sustain the generosity of my spirit. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love.
Chant #119
Scripture Reading: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. (John 1:1-5)
(Light a candle)
Litany of Kenosis
O God come to my assistance; O Lord make haste to help me
I open the hidden wealth of nature and give light to all in my house
As I inhale I am filled by the springs of living water
As I exhale I embody the self-emptying of Jesus
I am born of the Spirit and hear it flowing through me
The wind blows where it chooses and I cannot grab hold of it
I let go of my desire to grasp the wind and pray with open hands
(Three kenotic breaths)
I receive the comfort of Christ and the consolation of love
I live my life in partnership with the Holy Spirit
Tender affection and sympathy make my joy complete
I am of one mind, in harmony with itself and the world
I let go of ambition and the need to be right
In love I listen to the wisdom of others
In love I make space for the needs of others
(Three kenotic breaths)
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom
The same mind is in me that was in Christ Jesus
It is in me, but I do not grab hold of it
I participate in Wisdom by emptying myself
I let go of everything to be in harmony with everything
I accept my human condition with patience and courage
I give up of my life so that I may fully live
(Three kenotic breaths)
I am lifted up by Jesus Christ, the Son of God
I praise the name that is above every name
Angels, beasts, and demons confess that Christ is Lord
In humility every part of me is obedient to the will of God
I work out my own salvation with reverence and humility
It is God who is at work in me, enabling me to exercise my will
I put on the mind of Christ to the glory of God the Mother
(Three kenotic breaths)
I speak the Word of Life, I do not labour in vain
God’s love is my love and it sets me free
I am an innocent child of God, I shine like the stars
I do all things without complaining or arguing
In faith I pour every part of myself into God’s service
I pour myself out as a libation over the lamb of God
Whatever I have gained in life I gladly lose for Christ
(Three kenotic breaths)
I stand firm in the Lord and rest in his presence
I let go of all my worries through prayers of thanksgiving
In my stillness I know Christ and become like him
I share in his suffering on the cross
I know the power of his resurrection
I love all God’s children, they are my joy and my crown
I share my gentleness with everyone I meet
(Three kenotic breaths)
The God of peace is with me, for I share her thoughts
The peace we share surpasses all understanding
My heart and mind are kept safe by the peace of Christ
I rejoice in Wisdom with all the hosts of heaven
I rejoice in Wisdom with all the creatures of earth
I sing God’s praise with my body and soul together as one
O God come to my assistance; O Lord make haste to help me
(Three kenotic breaths)
Prayer for Wisdom: O God of my ancestors, O Lord of mercy, who made all things through your Word and in your Wisdom has formed humankind, awaken within me the anointed one who sits by your throne, and count me among your children, for I am your humble servant, one who is weak and short-lived, with little understanding. Wisdom is with you, she who knows your works and was by your side when you made the world. Send her forth from the heavens, that she may labour with me as I build your temple in my heart, a copy of the holy tent you prepared from the beginning. For she knows and understands all things and will guide me wisely in my actions, guarding me with the light of her glory. In every age those who walked on the earth have been saved by her, their paths were made straight, and they learned to do what pleases you. Lord God, who heals and sanctifies, grant me the gift of discernment, for you are the source of Wisdom and the teacher of the wise.
Chant #109
Scripture Reading: Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17)
Chant #129
Doxology: Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar and all that fills it. Let the fields and everything in them be filled with delight. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord. In the name of the Mother, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen, amen, amen.
Benediction: Lord bless me and keep me. Into your hands I entrust my spirit. It is finished.
(Blow out the candle. Breathing kenotically, bow your head, give up your spirit, and remain in silence.)
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