Common ground Song 120 ‘Stay with me’
Words: Matthew 26:28, 41 / Music: Jacques Berthier © Ateliers et Presses de Taizé
YouTube recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCr2tn4yYKY
Featured image: Jesus and the disciples in Gethsemane. from FreeBIbleImages.org © James Tissot Collection (Brooklyn Museum) CC-BY

This is a chant from the Taizé community in France. Like all theirs, it is intended to be repeated many times as a mantra (a way into prayer). The version in Common ground is only the congregational response (Stay with me, remain here with me, watch and pray). The video linked above includes short verses sung by a cantor.

The words are taken from Jesus’ words to his disciples on the night before his crucifixion. We think of them, or us, needing Jesus. But Jesus the man had the same human need for recognition, appreciation and company that any of us do. In the great distress of knowing he would soon be arrested, tried and killed, having his twelve closest followers with him was important. But they were exhausted after a busy day, trying to take in the momentous words of Jesus’ last after-dinner talk that would eventually form a large part of John’s Gospel. And of course, full of food and wine after the Passover meal. So what happened when they finally sat down in an olive grove after sunset in the cool of the evening? They fell asleep, twice. And each time Jeus urged them to stay awake, sit up and pray.

We no longer need to pray for Jesus, who reigns in heaven, but this makes me realise that we so often take our own human leaders for granted. I’m thinking especially of our church leaders. Take time to pray for your Priest/Minister/Pastor/Bishop, both for their work for Christ, for them as a human being and for their families. But also fro your manager at work, your child’s teacher, or anyone else who has the responsibility of leading the activities in which you participate.