Tag Archives: spirituality

         Free From Suffering

Posted on by

 

As Christians, we are familiar with a world view which simply states; we are “in” the world, not “of” it. Can we apply a similar concept to our present-day sufferings and the life events which have wounded us? What would this look like?

Could we contrast our sufferings as being free “of” them or free “from” them? If we have made creditable observations, then one conclusion would be that it makes sense to say; I am free “of” them. That those events from the past and today’s worries do not define me.  I have recognized the impact the past has had on my life, as well as the time and calories I am burning to deal with today’s troubles. I am free “of” them, but not free “from” them. If this is a viable conclusion and I think it is; then the next step would be to realize I never would want to be free “from” them. In part, who I am is a product of how well I navigated those troubled waters. My achievements then and now are in some respects a testimony of how well I managed my life, the good and wrongful decisions which were made at the time and the benefits I enjoy today because of those experiences.

Prayer as Many Reflections

Posted on by

 

Prayer is such a huge word. Prayer can be a conversation between two people who love each other. It can be the time we give the Lord to arrange the world, so our prayers can be answered. It can be redemptive, binding, praising, begging, and just about all things to all people. One step further, what’s so beautiful about Catholicism is the “this and both of these” aspects. We have the Sacred Sacraments, the Ten Commandments and the other none negotiable tenets however as Catholics we are not held to any certain motif which wouldn’t include the other aspects. Prayer is a good example, so is grace whether it be saving grace, or sustaining or common grace as in the gifts and grace of sunshine, rain and sweet air to breathe. Christ on the Cross presents many theological views of Christ; as our Savior, the Redeemer, as a Sacrifice, as reconciling the world, and as Love and Forgiveness. All are true, not one more demanding than the other, all are meaningful not one more important than the others.

What’s It Like

Posted on by

Being an Evangelical Catholic is like telling your story to the world. In other words, it’s speaking from your heart knowing no matter who might be listening; the story would be the same. It’s knowing what you heard is the truth because it’s the same truth any believer would have heard. It’s about learning some life lessons, seeing yourself in them and learning from the experience. One of my lessons is this.

When I was in the world, making my way as a wage earner I was intently focused on the rewards of my labor. I wanted the prestige work, the money and all the trimmings. I was so focused on the gifts, I forgot about the Giver of Gifts. I was so focused on me I forgot about Him. As I came to realize it was me focused on me, I got a glimpse of His Grace; it had been Jesus all along. Some one told me, we are all guided missiles on an ever-correcting course, and I actually understood some of what that meant. I was getting part of the story, at least enough to turn and look.

What I saw, was amazing; hiding in plain sight so to speak. A confirming and reassuring state of mind was making its present felt, I was heading toward a Baptism of Desire. The apprehensive aspects were fading away and the yearning and eagerness were providing the energy. This was beginning to get exciting. The possibilities were endless, this sure seemed like the vista vision I was looking for. I was about to be forgiven. Forgiven for the pain and confusion I had caused. Forgiven for being the small person I so dearly protected.

It was only after I had joyously jump on the band wagon, had taken my victory lap and stood in the adulation of my many admirers that it hit me like the five-gallon ice cold shower of gator aid; I had done it again. The same old me, just amped up, the same circuits, the same electric, the same old stuff. I had missed again. It wasn’t about me and my forgiveness; it was about Him and His Divine Mercy. It wasn’t what I was getting; it was what He was giving. OK, strike two; what’s next, I don’t know. I know where He is leading me, I don’t know how he will get me there, but I’m going with Him anyway.

What’s It Like I

Posted on by

Questions are…more important than answers

Good questions make better answers…than good answers make.

Why would I say this; because our minds armed with reason, logic and hopefully some intelligence struggles forward, forever marching forward to find an answer? Finding a definitive answer in an infinite universe; good luck with that. With this in mind, let’s admit even the best of answers needs some qualification. If we listen closely to what’s being said, isn’t there a “both this and this also” added or implied to each answer. As resolute as it might sound in the beginning, I believe we look for something more. I offer you this, as complete as the answer may be, as firm as the ground may seem to be, we don’t bask in the glory of the answer like a tourist on the beach. Even the finest “ah ha” moments are short lived…..We quickly move our sight to the next horizon. Our new found revelation becomes another stone in our neatly laid road, another brick on the wall, another freshly packed pigeon hole.

So be honest, isn’t asking “what and how” a lot more exciting than putting the last piece of the puzzle together. Don’t we want “uncertainty” to have a calming effect on us rather than an unsettling one? Isn’t “I’m not sure” and “I don’t know” more engaging than the answers we are standing on? Doesn’t life remind us that the journey is more important than the destination? Isn’t the answer a far gone conclusion? Isn’t the Lord leading us all to heaven; isn’t the answer, we don’t know how He will get us there, but we are going with Him anyway.