I must admit that I have a greater "understanding" of the nature of God than how the internet works, the power of computer code or how massive amounts of data can be stored on a tiny chip.
I suggest that this phenomenon relates to my personal EXPERIENCE with these "events". I've used the internet and have saved photo albums on tiny plug-in chips, but I don't have any actual experience writing code, building mother boards or seaching the innards of a mainframe server. Of such matter - I don't have a clue! But I have had a long and deeply involved experience in relationship with God. In fact, I can say that God has allowed me to experience significant levels of INTIMACY with the Divine Being: times when God has revealed much of the Divine purpose and character. All of this is existential; it's all through my life experience with the Divine. This is how God chooses to reveal God-self. It is a process of living-experience, reflection and communication. And this wonderful, intimate relationship is absolutely initiated by God. I can't demand that God self-reveal and become intimate with me, but God wishes to do that very thing! In fact, that is key to God's purpose in creating me...creating you and all of this universe. From the first step of creation, God has always chosen to be in relationship - in intimate, caring closeness - with all of humanity. My only possible choice in this matter is to take time to become aware of this "God choice", to hear God's invitation, and enter into this intimate realtionship.
For such an intimate relationship to exist, both must walk-life-together in bare honesty and revelation of self. God can be counted-on to "do" God's part in this revelation; I must struggle each day to bare my full humanity, emotions, needs, desires, strengths and weaknesses into that self revelation with the Divine. And as I continue this journey into ever-greater intimacy with God, I wish to respond to this awesome Divine disclosure by making my life choices, desires and action SIMILAR to those which characterize the God with whom I intimately live. Maybe you now recognize why humanity often chooses to perceive that the Absolute Divine Being exists "out there somewhere", "the ole man up there" while "I'm down here". This is nothing but a human attempt to create DISTANCE between itself and God. It's an attempt to ignore the God-desire for intimacy with each of us. Such "distancy talk" flies in the face of God's plan for the creation.
This experience of "getting to know God", this intimate realtionship of the Divine Creator with each person was made POSSIBLE when God breathed the spark of divine communion into the lives of those early homo sapiens creating the "spiritual bridge" between us and the Creator: later it was made TANGIBLE when Jesus spoke the words..."Come, follow me". (1) When God's Spirit whispers those words into my ear...into your ear, it is God's INVITATION for each of us to enter this relationship of intimacy with our Creator and to walk day-by-day with God...growing, loving and giving thanks for those blessed words of invitation. But we can choose to distance or limit the intimacy of this relationship by sticking our fingers into our ears and becoming deaf to God's call, or by filtering downward the sound by the drone of our "busy life". However, we can choose to live with our ears and eyes widely open to that Divine call to .."Come, walk with me...live your life fully in my intimate embrace". The choice is personal and unavoidable. God invites each of us to "Come and let's live in an intimate realtionship!"
(1) Matthew 4:19 (A tiny, yet powerful Gospel verse upon which to meditate... reflecting on what it would say to all of your life, time, hopes and desires.)
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Once Upon A Transfusion...
Last evening I had a very novel and powerful experience which I want to share with you....
Some of you may know that in the past few months I have had periods of increasing fatigue. An anemia was diagnosed for which a monthly vitamin B12 shot was prescribed; however, there was a slow progression of the anemia accompanied by an even greater level of fatigue. But then last Friday night "it" really hit me...shortness of breath, dizzyness and exhaustion upon doing anything other than quiet sitting. This physical "wipe-out" precipitated a visit to the Baylor Hospital emergency room where I was told that my level of blood hemogloblin concentration was about one half of that which it had been most of my life. Let me tell you that when your "tank" is half empty of oxygen-carrying blood cells, you don't move around very much! Monday, I was blessed to be able to get to a hematologist. The "why" for the significant anemia is still unknown and more studies will probably be necessary but intervention was possible. I was "waddled' across the street to another hospital building, plopped into a great big chair, and (after an appropriate waiting period to type and cross-match) was infused with a unit of blood. Whereas I had weakly walked into the Infusion Unit, several hours later, I walked out with strength and a normal breathing pattern. I felt like a "new" person...one who now had a "blood tank" which could be calibrated on the "near-to-full" side than my previous low readings.
As I drove home from the hospital, I thanked God for the little transformative miracle which had given back to me my usual vigor. It was then that I started to sense something very new - yet also very profound and complex. In my newly found strength, breath and joy, I sensed the living presence of someone else in my own body...a living presence cruising along the complex pattern of blood vessels...giving me the support and oxygen nourishment that was needed by my muscles and brain.
Now this may seem a little spooky or crazy - and I immediately realized that. But it is true that now, in the blood volume which nourishes and cares for me, there exists someone else's life-giving force and blood. Someone whom I will never know...never meet...never get to thank. This other person may or may not be like me. We may have many differences relative to gender, race, age, education, language, religion and cultural background; but we do share the greatest of all common gifts. This person and I were both created into the universal brother/sisterhood of humanity by a loving God! This other person, whom I'll never get to thank, had shared her (his?) love and respect for our common God-given humanity by donating some of their own living blood as a compassionate support to an "unknown other" - who turned-out to be me. For the next couple of months while their red blood cells circulate in my body, we will be "brother-humans" who are connected by the deep mystery of the Divine's loving gift of life to all humanity.
St Francis recognized this universal brother/sisterhood of all humanity (although without the transfusion experience), because he clearly saw that in the divine creation of each person there exists the love and purpose of God. The Psalms tell us that "we are all the sheep of God's flock"...we are all the created children of God. Our differences are very superficial; we all share in our common humanity this basic truth that we EQUALLY belong to God.
It pains me that I have to write of this other person in such a non-specific manner as "other". They have demonstrated their love for humanity in such a significant manner that I should be able to reach-out and thank them face to face...to speak of their proper human identity and name. But I guess that I'll have to simply say a special prayer of thanks to God for them and their God-given love for humanity. I will also pray for renewed and strengthened love for ALL of God's created humanity to be reflected in all areas of my own life. And like St Francis' example, I'll simply call that life-giving red blood presence now within me...my Brother...my Sister.
Thanks be to God! Peace and love to all.
Some of you may know that in the past few months I have had periods of increasing fatigue. An anemia was diagnosed for which a monthly vitamin B12 shot was prescribed; however, there was a slow progression of the anemia accompanied by an even greater level of fatigue. But then last Friday night "it" really hit me...shortness of breath, dizzyness and exhaustion upon doing anything other than quiet sitting. This physical "wipe-out" precipitated a visit to the Baylor Hospital emergency room where I was told that my level of blood hemogloblin concentration was about one half of that which it had been most of my life. Let me tell you that when your "tank" is half empty of oxygen-carrying blood cells, you don't move around very much! Monday, I was blessed to be able to get to a hematologist. The "why" for the significant anemia is still unknown and more studies will probably be necessary but intervention was possible. I was "waddled' across the street to another hospital building, plopped into a great big chair, and (after an appropriate waiting period to type and cross-match) was infused with a unit of blood. Whereas I had weakly walked into the Infusion Unit, several hours later, I walked out with strength and a normal breathing pattern. I felt like a "new" person...one who now had a "blood tank" which could be calibrated on the "near-to-full" side than my previous low readings.
As I drove home from the hospital, I thanked God for the little transformative miracle which had given back to me my usual vigor. It was then that I started to sense something very new - yet also very profound and complex. In my newly found strength, breath and joy, I sensed the living presence of someone else in my own body...a living presence cruising along the complex pattern of blood vessels...giving me the support and oxygen nourishment that was needed by my muscles and brain.
Now this may seem a little spooky or crazy - and I immediately realized that. But it is true that now, in the blood volume which nourishes and cares for me, there exists someone else's life-giving force and blood. Someone whom I will never know...never meet...never get to thank. This other person may or may not be like me. We may have many differences relative to gender, race, age, education, language, religion and cultural background; but we do share the greatest of all common gifts. This person and I were both created into the universal brother/sisterhood of humanity by a loving God! This other person, whom I'll never get to thank, had shared her (his?) love and respect for our common God-given humanity by donating some of their own living blood as a compassionate support to an "unknown other" - who turned-out to be me. For the next couple of months while their red blood cells circulate in my body, we will be "brother-humans" who are connected by the deep mystery of the Divine's loving gift of life to all humanity.
St Francis recognized this universal brother/sisterhood of all humanity (although without the transfusion experience), because he clearly saw that in the divine creation of each person there exists the love and purpose of God. The Psalms tell us that "we are all the sheep of God's flock"...we are all the created children of God. Our differences are very superficial; we all share in our common humanity this basic truth that we EQUALLY belong to God.
It pains me that I have to write of this other person in such a non-specific manner as "other". They have demonstrated their love for humanity in such a significant manner that I should be able to reach-out and thank them face to face...to speak of their proper human identity and name. But I guess that I'll have to simply say a special prayer of thanks to God for them and their God-given love for humanity. I will also pray for renewed and strengthened love for ALL of God's created humanity to be reflected in all areas of my own life. And like St Francis' example, I'll simply call that life-giving red blood presence now within me...my Brother...my Sister.
Thanks be to God! Peace and love to all.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
"Similar but Different" Franciscan Formation #2
In Donald Spoto"s book, The Reluctant Saint, he speaks of the historical context in which St Francis lived. "Ordinary or extraordinary, every life is simultaneously enriched and limited by historical circumstances; it is, therefore, impossible to comprehend the achievement and struggles...of any life without reference to the context of its immediate past...if St Francis had been completely dissociated from the world of his time (13th century Italy), he could never have had so profound an influence upon it." (1) European history of the 12th and 13th centuries is filled with swirling and dynamic social change. The continent had begun to arouse from the ignorant and impoverished years of feudal social structure of the preceding Dark Ages. Both Francis and Clare were favored by living in the city of Assisi which was actively involved in this progressive stream of consciousness and both were born to families of economic and social privilege. With such opportunities available to them, they could have enjoyed an expanding lifestyle of independence and wealth.
We, 21st century secular Franciscans, inhabit a world swirling with conflict and change very similar to that which Francis experienced. Our society wrestles with progress which challenges the status quo of governmental and religious authority, social value and morals, economic systems and a cascade of expanding information and scientific findings in the midst of a shrinking planet of human globalization. But in all such periods of human history, the revelation of God's love and purpose toward the whole creation has sought to be heard and be acknowledged in the lifestyle of each person. Francis and Clare discovered that "voice of God" for their lives and, in their response, we may discover ways to respond to the Divine Presence in each of our lives.
Francis would not have wished that those who follow his Christian lifestyle be known by the designation of "Franciscan". Yet we call ourselves "secular Franciscans" because we utilize examples from his life to help "flesh-out" a manner of living which reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ. We seek to follow the Gospel pattern of love and ministry which can be expressed in our 21st century social context. Francis' ultimate desire was to fully experience Jesus in his life and ministry. As followers of Jesus, this also should be our greatest desire and the foundation upon which our lives are built.
Upon reading the stories about Francis, it becomes obvious that the saint was a little man with a large and open heart; one filled with love and compassion for all creation around him. Yet, we also discover that he was a man of great "extremes" in behavior who could be very strict about the virtue of his actions and those of the brothers who followed him. Some of these examples of "extreme" behavior by Francis were triggered by his 13th century understanding of the world and its people, while some were conditioned by the accepted teachings and structure of his Roman Catholic Church. When we read about the lives of Francis and Clare, we need to remember that social and informational context in which they lived. It is very different from that which we currently experience.
And this leads me to the final thought which should always be kept in mind by modern secular Franciscans. Toward the end of Francis' life, he indicated to his followers that he had a very important "last teaching" for them. At that time Francis could tell them that he had lived and struggled with every fiber of his being to experience and express to others "that fullness of the presence of Jesus Christ" in his life. Now, as death was soon to close his earthly ministry, he wanted his followers to realize that it was "their time" to run a similar life course...their time and opportunity to fully experience and express the Gospel lifestyle to "their world". And such is true for those of us modern secular Franciscans. Our challenge and struggle is NOT to replicate that early Franciscan lifestyle but rather to take Francis' example and weld it with our understanding of Jesus' teaching ministry so that this can be manifested in our 21st century social environment. This is how Francis and Clare may continue to speak to our modern world by the manner in which we, modern secular Franciscans, live and love.
(1)Spoto,Donald; The Reluctant Saint, Penguin Compass Press 2001, p.13.
We, 21st century secular Franciscans, inhabit a world swirling with conflict and change very similar to that which Francis experienced. Our society wrestles with progress which challenges the status quo of governmental and religious authority, social value and morals, economic systems and a cascade of expanding information and scientific findings in the midst of a shrinking planet of human globalization. But in all such periods of human history, the revelation of God's love and purpose toward the whole creation has sought to be heard and be acknowledged in the lifestyle of each person. Francis and Clare discovered that "voice of God" for their lives and, in their response, we may discover ways to respond to the Divine Presence in each of our lives.
Francis would not have wished that those who follow his Christian lifestyle be known by the designation of "Franciscan". Yet we call ourselves "secular Franciscans" because we utilize examples from his life to help "flesh-out" a manner of living which reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ. We seek to follow the Gospel pattern of love and ministry which can be expressed in our 21st century social context. Francis' ultimate desire was to fully experience Jesus in his life and ministry. As followers of Jesus, this also should be our greatest desire and the foundation upon which our lives are built.
Upon reading the stories about Francis, it becomes obvious that the saint was a little man with a large and open heart; one filled with love and compassion for all creation around him. Yet, we also discover that he was a man of great "extremes" in behavior who could be very strict about the virtue of his actions and those of the brothers who followed him. Some of these examples of "extreme" behavior by Francis were triggered by his 13th century understanding of the world and its people, while some were conditioned by the accepted teachings and structure of his Roman Catholic Church. When we read about the lives of Francis and Clare, we need to remember that social and informational context in which they lived. It is very different from that which we currently experience.
And this leads me to the final thought which should always be kept in mind by modern secular Franciscans. Toward the end of Francis' life, he indicated to his followers that he had a very important "last teaching" for them. At that time Francis could tell them that he had lived and struggled with every fiber of his being to experience and express to others "that fullness of the presence of Jesus Christ" in his life. Now, as death was soon to close his earthly ministry, he wanted his followers to realize that it was "their time" to run a similar life course...their time and opportunity to fully experience and express the Gospel lifestyle to "their world". And such is true for those of us modern secular Franciscans. Our challenge and struggle is NOT to replicate that early Franciscan lifestyle but rather to take Francis' example and weld it with our understanding of Jesus' teaching ministry so that this can be manifested in our 21st century social environment. This is how Francis and Clare may continue to speak to our modern world by the manner in which we, modern secular Franciscans, live and love.
(1)Spoto,Donald; The Reluctant Saint, Penguin Compass Press 2001, p.13.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Formation of a Secular Franciscan #1
One of the earlier accounts (1) about St Francis tells of his receipt of men who came to him and asked to join the little band of itinerant brothers. It seems that he accepted each of them as if each person was a "gift from God". In fact, steps for their education and formation as Franciscans were simple...observe the community's worship and prayer schedule and do the neccessary manual work in a spirit of joy and love. Oh, and nobody would have called themselves "Franciscan". No, they all were simply brothers..."lesser brothers".
Francis was their guide and mentor on this spiritual journey and he had one life goal which was to live-out the full experience of Jesus. He wanted to be poor, like Jesus; to be simply dressed, like Jesus; to walk the roads in a preaching ministry, like Jesus; to become ever-more intimate with the Heavenly Father, like Jesus; and to suffer the hardships which were the life story of our Savior. Therefore, if this band of men could have given themselves a name, it probably would have been something like: "simple people striving to live more completely the Gospel lifestyle of which Jesus Christ is the example". There in a nutshell is a working definition of a modern secular Franciscan!
However such a simple entrance into the brotherhood didn't last long nor was it well tolerated by higher church authorities who wanted a formal process to educate, regulate and form these brothers into a community. Francis never gave indication that he was attracted to the idea of "organization" with process and rules. But that was the accepted pattern for all other religious communities. So in time, the Pope urged a formal period of noviate training for all newly arrived brothers and, if they followed the accepted procedure and practice, they were allowed to make a formal profession of desire to leave their old lifestyle and become a "lesser brother". This involved promises or vows to the brotherhood and church whereby they agreed to live in community in a status of poverty, celibacy and obedience to the brotherhood's leaders and church.
In those first few years of the brotherhood, Francis was also approached by many village people who wanted to participate in this religious community but were hindered by being married, having families, job responsibility, etc. He recognized the sincerity of their desire to "humbly live-out this Gospel pattern of life" and also the actual limitations imposed by their status in life which prevented their joining the early Franciscan brotherhood. These secular persons were called "lay penitents". Some time in the period 1210 - 1215, Francis dictated a letter to them which gave direction to their special lifestyle. (2) This is the origin of the religious movement which has become known as the "Secular Franciscans".
Although we sisters and brothers at the Cathedral of Hope UCC, Dallas, are not part of the Roman Catholic Secular Franciscan Order, like them we also vow to create a lifestyle which is more intensely and faithfully dedicated to our baptismal committment to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. And to glorify God in all aspects of our life activity...humbly doing all things in love and respect for all of humanity and creation. In order to succeed in this spiritual path, it requires not just the original committment but also "practiced steps" to inform and develop this style of living. This process of education and growth is called Franciscan formation.
The first step in this formation program must begin with our relationship with God which is represented by our baptismal committment as Christians to love and obey our Lord Jesus Christ. This decision by each secular Franciscan is foundational because all that we aspire to be and do is related to this relationship with Jesus and obedience to his command..."Come and follow me" (To do and be like Jesus). (3) This can not be over-emphasized!
Those of us at the Cathedral of Hope UCC, Dallas, have created a basis for this spiritual process. It consists of two elements. The first is an understanding of that which we plan to promise to do as secular Franciscans. This is defined in a series of vows to which we ascribe. Second, There is a program of study in Christian spiritual practices and Franciscan history-experience which give example to help "flesh-out" the meaning of these vows.
These vows were created by the local Franciscan community to best represent all that is "good and valuable" in Franciscan history/life and yet stated in words which have meaning for secular Franciscans in the 21st century. At this web site they will be studied and elaborated upon in the context of historical Franciscan life.
Here are the vows committed by each Cathedral of Hope secular Franciscan. "Each of us wishes to express a desire to live a life which draws us ever-closer to Jesus Christ and to better express God's purpose for the creation in acts of love and ministry.
We vow to live a life of SIMPLICITY, always conscious of our level of consumption, in balance and moderation to our actual needs, and will do this in continual THANKSGIVING to God.
We vow to commit ourselves to a disciplined life of SPIRITUAL GROWTH which includes quiet times of PRAYER, SOLITUDE and STUDY in order to listen to God's voice.
Since the very essence of God is LOVE, we vow to open our hearts to that divine river of compassion with the hope that it will spread to everyone in our lives.
In recognition that God has created each of us as an important part of the web of life, we vow to live in HARMONY and be PEACE-MAKERS with all creation.
In all of these activities we vow to work with our fellow secular Franciscans in a GENTLE manner which will release all of our God-given talents to MINISTER to the physical and spiritual needs of others; following in the way of the HUMBLE servant, Jesus Christ."
May God's guidance and blessings be yours as we together journey on this spiritual path.
Donald Luke
(1) "The Life of St Francis" Chapter X by Thomas Celano, Francis of Assisi, The Early Documents vol.1, eds. Armstrong, Hellmann and Short, New City Press, NYC 1999, p.202
(2) "Letter to the Faithful" by St Francis
(3) Mark 1;17.
Francis was their guide and mentor on this spiritual journey and he had one life goal which was to live-out the full experience of Jesus. He wanted to be poor, like Jesus; to be simply dressed, like Jesus; to walk the roads in a preaching ministry, like Jesus; to become ever-more intimate with the Heavenly Father, like Jesus; and to suffer the hardships which were the life story of our Savior. Therefore, if this band of men could have given themselves a name, it probably would have been something like: "simple people striving to live more completely the Gospel lifestyle of which Jesus Christ is the example". There in a nutshell is a working definition of a modern secular Franciscan!
However such a simple entrance into the brotherhood didn't last long nor was it well tolerated by higher church authorities who wanted a formal process to educate, regulate and form these brothers into a community. Francis never gave indication that he was attracted to the idea of "organization" with process and rules. But that was the accepted pattern for all other religious communities. So in time, the Pope urged a formal period of noviate training for all newly arrived brothers and, if they followed the accepted procedure and practice, they were allowed to make a formal profession of desire to leave their old lifestyle and become a "lesser brother". This involved promises or vows to the brotherhood and church whereby they agreed to live in community in a status of poverty, celibacy and obedience to the brotherhood's leaders and church.
In those first few years of the brotherhood, Francis was also approached by many village people who wanted to participate in this religious community but were hindered by being married, having families, job responsibility, etc. He recognized the sincerity of their desire to "humbly live-out this Gospel pattern of life" and also the actual limitations imposed by their status in life which prevented their joining the early Franciscan brotherhood. These secular persons were called "lay penitents". Some time in the period 1210 - 1215, Francis dictated a letter to them which gave direction to their special lifestyle. (2) This is the origin of the religious movement which has become known as the "Secular Franciscans".
Although we sisters and brothers at the Cathedral of Hope UCC, Dallas, are not part of the Roman Catholic Secular Franciscan Order, like them we also vow to create a lifestyle which is more intensely and faithfully dedicated to our baptismal committment to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. And to glorify God in all aspects of our life activity...humbly doing all things in love and respect for all of humanity and creation. In order to succeed in this spiritual path, it requires not just the original committment but also "practiced steps" to inform and develop this style of living. This process of education and growth is called Franciscan formation.
The first step in this formation program must begin with our relationship with God which is represented by our baptismal committment as Christians to love and obey our Lord Jesus Christ. This decision by each secular Franciscan is foundational because all that we aspire to be and do is related to this relationship with Jesus and obedience to his command..."Come and follow me" (To do and be like Jesus). (3) This can not be over-emphasized!
Those of us at the Cathedral of Hope UCC, Dallas, have created a basis for this spiritual process. It consists of two elements. The first is an understanding of that which we plan to promise to do as secular Franciscans. This is defined in a series of vows to which we ascribe. Second, There is a program of study in Christian spiritual practices and Franciscan history-experience which give example to help "flesh-out" the meaning of these vows.
These vows were created by the local Franciscan community to best represent all that is "good and valuable" in Franciscan history/life and yet stated in words which have meaning for secular Franciscans in the 21st century. At this web site they will be studied and elaborated upon in the context of historical Franciscan life.
Here are the vows committed by each Cathedral of Hope secular Franciscan. "Each of us wishes to express a desire to live a life which draws us ever-closer to Jesus Christ and to better express God's purpose for the creation in acts of love and ministry.
We vow to live a life of SIMPLICITY, always conscious of our level of consumption, in balance and moderation to our actual needs, and will do this in continual THANKSGIVING to God.
We vow to commit ourselves to a disciplined life of SPIRITUAL GROWTH which includes quiet times of PRAYER, SOLITUDE and STUDY in order to listen to God's voice.
Since the very essence of God is LOVE, we vow to open our hearts to that divine river of compassion with the hope that it will spread to everyone in our lives.
In recognition that God has created each of us as an important part of the web of life, we vow to live in HARMONY and be PEACE-MAKERS with all creation.
In all of these activities we vow to work with our fellow secular Franciscans in a GENTLE manner which will release all of our God-given talents to MINISTER to the physical and spiritual needs of others; following in the way of the HUMBLE servant, Jesus Christ."
May God's guidance and blessings be yours as we together journey on this spiritual path.
Donald Luke
(1) "The Life of St Francis" Chapter X by Thomas Celano, Francis of Assisi, The Early Documents vol.1, eds. Armstrong, Hellmann and Short, New City Press, NYC 1999, p.202
(2) "Letter to the Faithful" by St Francis
(3) Mark 1;17.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Acts of Peace
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the fateful events of America's experience on Sept 11, 2001. Recently the press and television have been filled with stories to remember these events and recount their impact on the lives of individuals and our national history. All of us have deep emotions related to events of that day and the changes which since have occurred. But I'd like to direct our attention to another aspect of that event - an opportunity.
With all actions of violence, there are RE-actions.
Will our reactions be characterized by hatred, revenge, fear and withdrawal or will we be able to RE-act in a PEACEFUL manner.
For Christians the example of Jesus Christ is clear; he did not raise his fist in a return of violence to those who struck, spit and nailed him to the cross...and why not? He followed God's plan. God has a plan to perfect and transform this creation and bring it into ultimate and eternal presence with the Divine. And the pathway of this divine plan is "paved with PEACE"...not violence and hatred. So you see, every act of violence carries within itself the OPPORTUNITY for PEACE.
I want to challenge each of you to become more of a PEACE-MAKER today and in the near future. The United Nations has established an International Day of Peace on September 22. This effort is a positive REACTION whereby individuals and organizations can create practical ACTS of PEACE on this shared date. This year's Day of Peace has been expanded in reflection of the events on Sept 11. The United Nations calls all humanity to participate in a special period of 11 days to mark greater emphasis toward GLOBAL UNITY and PEACE which can be expressed by our prayers and practical actions in 11 vital areas of human life.
Improved social unity
Global social and cultural interdependence
Environment
Humane economics
Justice
Health issues
Human rights
Women's rights
Children and youth
Freedom
Disarmament
We are called to be more active as PEACE-MAKERS during these 11 days between Sept 11 and Sept 22. Will our responses to the events of Sept 11, 2001 be reactions of anger, distrust and withdrawal or will we react by words and acts of love and peace?
P...pray for peace.
E...everyone's responsibility.
A...all creation desires to be in harmony.
C...create an opportunity each day to express
your peaceful presence toward others.
E...eternity is filled with peace...today will
you help create more of it for everyone?
St Francis always greeted those whom he met by announcing to them..."the peace of God be with you". May this also ring true in all our thoughts and actions.
With all actions of violence, there are RE-actions.
Will our reactions be characterized by hatred, revenge, fear and withdrawal or will we be able to RE-act in a PEACEFUL manner.
For Christians the example of Jesus Christ is clear; he did not raise his fist in a return of violence to those who struck, spit and nailed him to the cross...and why not? He followed God's plan. God has a plan to perfect and transform this creation and bring it into ultimate and eternal presence with the Divine. And the pathway of this divine plan is "paved with PEACE"...not violence and hatred. So you see, every act of violence carries within itself the OPPORTUNITY for PEACE.
I want to challenge each of you to become more of a PEACE-MAKER today and in the near future. The United Nations has established an International Day of Peace on September 22. This effort is a positive REACTION whereby individuals and organizations can create practical ACTS of PEACE on this shared date. This year's Day of Peace has been expanded in reflection of the events on Sept 11. The United Nations calls all humanity to participate in a special period of 11 days to mark greater emphasis toward GLOBAL UNITY and PEACE which can be expressed by our prayers and practical actions in 11 vital areas of human life.
Improved social unity
Global social and cultural interdependence
Environment
Humane economics
Justice
Health issues
Human rights
Women's rights
Children and youth
Freedom
Disarmament
We are called to be more active as PEACE-MAKERS during these 11 days between Sept 11 and Sept 22. Will our responses to the events of Sept 11, 2001 be reactions of anger, distrust and withdrawal or will we react by words and acts of love and peace?
P...pray for peace.
E...everyone's responsibility.
A...all creation desires to be in harmony.
C...create an opportunity each day to express
your peaceful presence toward others.
E...eternity is filled with peace...today will
you help create more of it for everyone?
St Francis always greeted those whom he met by announcing to them..."the peace of God be with you". May this also ring true in all our thoughts and actions.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
To Be A Floating Leaf, or Not To Be....
From time to time, most of us experience days in which we feel our life activity has no purpose...no real meaning or direction. We just "keep-on-going" and doing what has to be done. We feel like a leaf that has fallen into a lake and is stirred "here and there" by the waves and ever changing breezes. And into most lives there come extended periods of time in which a person has to endure such meaningless lack of obvious direction and purpose. For me today, maybe it's just the "dog days" of summer, but such days do seem to be part of the human experience.
For the Christian there is a great temptation to sense this experience as "aloneness". The writer of the Psalms cries out to God, "Do not abandon me" (e.g., Psalm 51:11). The thought of just living out the day in such a reactionary and directionless manner emphasizes the magnitude of this common problem. Like weeds, it grows in importance and may rob our lives of the vibrancy which can be LIFE-itself. Many people "throw in the towel" to such dark experiences and use alcohol, substances or forced excitement and activity to numb such feelings. But these are only temporary band-aids in an attempt to cover over the feeling...no real solution.
As a Christian, I have a choice. I can apply such band-aids to my feelings of purposelessness...maybe say a little prayer and then go right back to my "leaf-float" posture and let the ordinariness and problems of the day push and shove my life (and spirit) around willy-nilly like. For those who profess the Christian faith, such behavior is comparable to being a "functional atheist". (Meaning that I believe in God, but in this matter, well, I just have to get along by myself and somehow get through this depressing day of adversity, suffering or just plain "shit".)
But as a Christian, I have another option when faced with a day of meaningless life problems. As soon as the pattern for the new day is recognized, a person can be honest with oneself and call the situation as it really appears.
Maybe it will be a day filled-to-exhaustion with activity, reaction to problems and people, ups and downs, seeming endless and unchanging or full of "go-no-where" activities...OR
Maybe it will be a long day with lots of holes to fill, not much action which seems to have purpose and direction, or just plain boring and maybe even another wasted day of life!
The advantage of looking at the day-ahead and recognizing what it REALLY contains for us is the fact we are being real about the day's possible experience. Doing that allows us to be "in touch" with the TRUTH of this day and allows us to acknowledge and live in the NOW...in that very moment of time. This allows us to honestly face the day with realistic perception unaltered by any of the band-aid tricks previously mentioned.
So now that we have faced-up to the reality of the NOW in our life, can we find some purpose in our day-ahead?? And even more important, WHERE do we find this purpose??
As Christians, we have the assurance that we are alive today because of the creative and supportive love of God. I did not create my "being alive for this new day" by some magical thing that I did while asleep! I do not have the power to grant myself a new day of life. Only God can awaken me to a new day of life each morning..and yet God does! Well, does God do that to wear me down mentally and physically...to frustrate me with endless problems...to pain me with constant suffering...or to simply bore me into a numbed state of hopelessness?
As believers, we KNOW WHY God created this new day for us. Our experience and the Scriptures clearly tell us that God wants...
MORE relationship with us,
BETTER relationship with us,
and our increasing DEPENDENCE upon this divine relationship.
This is a relationship in which we TOGETHER WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD join in fulfilling the purpose of God for this day!
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR TODAY and your meaningful behavior in it. There are things for you to do and matters about which you are to speak, people with whom you may positively interact, opportunities for spiritual growth and the chance for you to discover the reality of the Christ Spirit in you as TOGETHER you express God's purpose in the world. God wants to grow our individual relationship more and more completely into the PURPOSE, PRESENCE and PLAN of the Divine One! This is acomplished day-by-day as we realistically face our daily activities in a full recognition of WHY we are doing them, and with WHOM we are living-out the day's experiences, and the PURPOSE for which God awoke us this morning!
This is not "functional atheism", but rather it is the decision to live each day with PURPOSE and to embed my daily activities into the divine plan to bring all of creation into a more perfected relationship with the Creator God. So regardless, if my day-ahead appears to be boring or filled with difficult opportunities or uncertainity, I can enter this new day with the Christ Spirit and watch how God can change a "lemon-type-of-day" into sweet lemonade! But I must keep my attention focused upon the One with whom I walk and not be pushed and shoved-about like a leaf floating on the pond of life's difficulties.
For the Christian there is a great temptation to sense this experience as "aloneness". The writer of the Psalms cries out to God, "Do not abandon me" (e.g., Psalm 51:11). The thought of just living out the day in such a reactionary and directionless manner emphasizes the magnitude of this common problem. Like weeds, it grows in importance and may rob our lives of the vibrancy which can be LIFE-itself. Many people "throw in the towel" to such dark experiences and use alcohol, substances or forced excitement and activity to numb such feelings. But these are only temporary band-aids in an attempt to cover over the feeling...no real solution.
As a Christian, I have a choice. I can apply such band-aids to my feelings of purposelessness...maybe say a little prayer and then go right back to my "leaf-float" posture and let the ordinariness and problems of the day push and shove my life (and spirit) around willy-nilly like. For those who profess the Christian faith, such behavior is comparable to being a "functional atheist". (Meaning that I believe in God, but in this matter, well, I just have to get along by myself and somehow get through this depressing day of adversity, suffering or just plain "shit".)
But as a Christian, I have another option when faced with a day of meaningless life problems. As soon as the pattern for the new day is recognized, a person can be honest with oneself and call the situation as it really appears.
Maybe it will be a day filled-to-exhaustion with activity, reaction to problems and people, ups and downs, seeming endless and unchanging or full of "go-no-where" activities...OR
Maybe it will be a long day with lots of holes to fill, not much action which seems to have purpose and direction, or just plain boring and maybe even another wasted day of life!
The advantage of looking at the day-ahead and recognizing what it REALLY contains for us is the fact we are being real about the day's possible experience. Doing that allows us to be "in touch" with the TRUTH of this day and allows us to acknowledge and live in the NOW...in that very moment of time. This allows us to honestly face the day with realistic perception unaltered by any of the band-aid tricks previously mentioned.
So now that we have faced-up to the reality of the NOW in our life, can we find some purpose in our day-ahead?? And even more important, WHERE do we find this purpose??
As Christians, we have the assurance that we are alive today because of the creative and supportive love of God. I did not create my "being alive for this new day" by some magical thing that I did while asleep! I do not have the power to grant myself a new day of life. Only God can awaken me to a new day of life each morning..and yet God does! Well, does God do that to wear me down mentally and physically...to frustrate me with endless problems...to pain me with constant suffering...or to simply bore me into a numbed state of hopelessness?
As believers, we KNOW WHY God created this new day for us. Our experience and the Scriptures clearly tell us that God wants...
MORE relationship with us,
BETTER relationship with us,
and our increasing DEPENDENCE upon this divine relationship.
This is a relationship in which we TOGETHER WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD join in fulfilling the purpose of God for this day!
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR TODAY and your meaningful behavior in it. There are things for you to do and matters about which you are to speak, people with whom you may positively interact, opportunities for spiritual growth and the chance for you to discover the reality of the Christ Spirit in you as TOGETHER you express God's purpose in the world. God wants to grow our individual relationship more and more completely into the PURPOSE, PRESENCE and PLAN of the Divine One! This is acomplished day-by-day as we realistically face our daily activities in a full recognition of WHY we are doing them, and with WHOM we are living-out the day's experiences, and the PURPOSE for which God awoke us this morning!
This is not "functional atheism", but rather it is the decision to live each day with PURPOSE and to embed my daily activities into the divine plan to bring all of creation into a more perfected relationship with the Creator God. So regardless, if my day-ahead appears to be boring or filled with difficult opportunities or uncertainity, I can enter this new day with the Christ Spirit and watch how God can change a "lemon-type-of-day" into sweet lemonade! But I must keep my attention focused upon the One with whom I walk and not be pushed and shoved-about like a leaf floating on the pond of life's difficulties.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
DREAMING with GOD
“All the earth cries out with joy to you, O God, serving you with gladness; coming before you, singing for joy, You, Creator of all, are God. You made us, WE BELONG TO YOU. We are your people, the sheep of your flock…” (Psalm 100:1-3)
As I read this portion of the psalm in my morning prayers, I was struck by those 4 little words…
“we belong to you”. This is a favorite psalm of many Christians and often read. But I wonder how frequently those 4 words are “really read”…read not just with the eye but also by the HEART !
This psalm indicates that humanity and all of creation are joyfully alive praising the Creatorc God in both words and actions. They give a clear statement that we are the creative work of God. The Divine Being made us; we did not make ourselves independent of God's "hand" or PURPOSE. That is a comfort and reassurance to many believers. Verse 3 continues this assurance with 3 proofs:
"You (God) made us
we belong to you,
we are your people."
All of these short phrases can be read from our personal human perspective OR from the realistic perspective of God and the divine purpose!
It's good that we can say to God..."we belong to you"...but do our lifestyle, actions and thoughts fully support that statement! If we really "belong" to God, then we must also be POSSESSED by the PRESENCE of God. I like to think about God's ultimate purpose for the creation as the "Dream of God" for the creation, and that is the eternal relationship of God with a transformed (sanctified) creation. If this is God's "dream" (desire) for all that God possesses, then we (the possession) should SHARE GOD'S DREAM as if it were our only desire! Our lifestyle and words should reflect this mutual dream for our transformed relationship with God. Since ALL of humanity and creation are possessions of God, we should strive for a transformed and respectful relationship with ALL of God's creation.
Therefore, each time that I read this psalm, I pause after those 4 little words..."we belong to you"...and in my heart, I add these words of self-commitment...
"We belong to you"...Yes, God, I belong to you and to YOUR desire for the creation, and NOT to any personal desires or imagination for myself. This is true because I wish to share YOUR dream. So fill me with your divine Presence and transform me into union with your divine DREAM. Be it ever so, Amen
As I read this portion of the psalm in my morning prayers, I was struck by those 4 little words…
“we belong to you”. This is a favorite psalm of many Christians and often read. But I wonder how frequently those 4 words are “really read”…read not just with the eye but also by the HEART !
This psalm indicates that humanity and all of creation are joyfully alive praising the Creatorc God in both words and actions. They give a clear statement that we are the creative work of God. The Divine Being made us; we did not make ourselves independent of God's "hand" or PURPOSE. That is a comfort and reassurance to many believers. Verse 3 continues this assurance with 3 proofs:
"You (God) made us
we belong to you,
we are your people."
All of these short phrases can be read from our personal human perspective OR from the realistic perspective of God and the divine purpose!
It's good that we can say to God..."we belong to you"...but do our lifestyle, actions and thoughts fully support that statement! If we really "belong" to God, then we must also be POSSESSED by the PRESENCE of God. I like to think about God's ultimate purpose for the creation as the "Dream of God" for the creation, and that is the eternal relationship of God with a transformed (sanctified) creation. If this is God's "dream" (desire) for all that God possesses, then we (the possession) should SHARE GOD'S DREAM as if it were our only desire! Our lifestyle and words should reflect this mutual dream for our transformed relationship with God. Since ALL of humanity and creation are possessions of God, we should strive for a transformed and respectful relationship with ALL of God's creation.
Therefore, each time that I read this psalm, I pause after those 4 little words..."we belong to you"...and in my heart, I add these words of self-commitment...
"We belong to you"...Yes, God, I belong to you and to YOUR desire for the creation, and NOT to any personal desires or imagination for myself. This is true because I wish to share YOUR dream. So fill me with your divine Presence and transform me into union with your divine DREAM. Be it ever so, Amen
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