The triple colloquy

The triple colloquy, in which we speak

about our sin or the sorrow we notice in the world, involves

three movements.

First, I stand with our Mother Mary. I share with her

whatever is on my heart. Maybe it is pain in my life, a

sinful tendency that I cannot overcome, or suffering in

another person. I speak to Mary openly, freely, and

honestly. I listen for what she says to me.

Then, I imagine walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Mary to

go and see her son, Jesus. I often imagine Mary carrying

what I shared with her to her son as a way of symbolically

turning over my heart. Together the three of us continue

our heart-to-heart conversation, with me speaking honestly

and openly to Jesus as I would a friend. I wait and listen to

what he might offer me.

Finally, the three of us walk together to stand before God

the Father. Often, Jesus is carrying what is in my heart now

to God. I imagine God sitting on a throne surrounded by

angels and saints, and Jesus, Mary, and I are standing

before the throne. As I receive God’s gaze upon me, I

share my heart with God. As I do, I pray these three

questions:

What have I done for Christ?

What am I doing for Christ?

What ought I do for Christ?

Just as I did with Mary and Jesus, I share and then pause

to listen, paying attention to what God says with the

same attentiveness I would give a dear loved one. There is

comfort in the colloquy as my heart meets their hearts. The

love that surrounds me and the love I feel for them opens

me to healing, to mercy, and to love. This openness and

softening of my heart help me hear the call to action.

This gift of intimate conversation with Mary, with Jesus,

and with God the Father is available to each one of us. How

might this prayer tool help you in your relationship with

God? Where is your heart seeking to meet the heart of

Mary, of Jesus, or of God, and to hear the response? I

invite you to listen for God in colloquy, in the intimate

conversation of heart meeting heart today.