Here we turn to Jesus. Jesus as the God/Son of God, and Jesus as a Man who could be our friend, our confidant, our mentor, our guide, our brother.
If a sacrament is a sign of God, the Jesus is the sacrament of God. Jesus said "If you have seen me, then you have seen the Father." He tells us that He is the embodiment of God here on Earth, so that we may KNOW who God is.n reading the parables, the miracle stories, the healing stories, we may also know the nature of God. Read them and see who God is. Let yourself feel His love for you. Let yourself fall in love with Him.
We are all called to live in (to imitate is a common way of phrasing it) Christ, but what does that MEAN? Second century christian philosopher/saint St. Irenaeus said "The glory of God is the human being fully alive."
Most Christians profess that Jesus was both fully human (being born of Mary) and fully divine (being begotten of the Holy Spirit). What this means for us is that as God, he came to us to live like us, to experience joy and suffering like us, and to die like us. To be fully human... like us. But in doing so, he came to show us LOVE like Him! To show us that we may live with integrity, honesty, compassion, justice, and with LOVE! In doing so, may we find that it is to be fully alive in God.
This is what it means for us to live like Him. For us to imitate him. For us to be Christ's emissaries in this world. Jesus broke all social, religious, economic conventions to show us God. And that in being Human, we could be as God.
"I wish I could show you the astonishing light of your own being."
When we realize that God is in us, and in everyone else, and everything else, we start to be able to see God in everyone and everything. If we all treated each other as though the other were God, then the world would be a much better place.
On Love
"Nothing has the transformative power, can move even mountains, more than LOVE."
In Luke 7:36-, we are told that Jesus is confronted with a woman who is accused of being a sinner. But she comes to Jesus, even though Jesus is seated for dinner with the Pharisees, she comes with love. With a love so great, despite her sins that she prostrates herself before Jesus and washes His feet with her tears, and drys them with her hair. She recognizes the Grace of Jesus and moves towards Him. He recognizes her repentance, her metanioa, and forgives her, releases her of her sins.
Love is hard. It's hard to do all of the time. We are not God, even as we strive to emulate Him. We are fully human, but we have the spark of the divine within us, and we are called to kindle that spark and "set the world on fire" with it.
Q: How do you relate to Jesus? How does reflecting on His humanity challenge you/comfort you?
I know that this may sound silly, but the comic strip Coffee with Jesus has been very helpful in my relationship with Jesus. Up until a couple of nights ago, I has always had a real issue with trying to reconcile the whole Jesus/God/Son of God thing. The the other night, I was laying in bed praying, and I imagined Jesus sitting on the edge of the bed next to me. It was such a powerful feeling that I actually moved my legs out of the way to give him somewhere to sit. We talked. I confessed to some problems that I was having, he gave me advice. It was really quite remarkable. I wish I had written it all down at the time, but sleep came easier that night. Being able to relate to Jesus in a more human form than ***SON OF GOD*** opens the door to a whole new relationship.
Showing posts with label Repentance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Repentance. Show all posts
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
Session with a Spiritual Director
with Fr. Edward, S.J.
Talked about my family history, my relationship with my mom and with Dave. We talked about mine and mom's mental and emotional issues, and the hardships that we went through.
We talked extensively about my temper, and the things I might do to manage it including; working with the kids. Finding ways that they can help me. Working with Celeste. Making her the referee. If she calls a HOLD then it's a HOLD. Talked a little bit about prayer. To my children I am to be Father, Priest, and King.
We spoke of +RAPHAEL+ and my experiences with Him. That was difficult for me, and Edward chided me a bit for my concern over confiding to a priest. He recommended me to read Ezk 1-2.
We talked a bit about vocation and my call towards priesthood. Obviously the Jesuits are out of the question. He advised me to follow the idea that man was created to Praise, Reverence, and Serve the Lord. That is first. The consider what work will help me on towards that.
All in all it was a very helpful meeting, and I am thankful to God for it.
+PAX+
Talked about my family history, my relationship with my mom and with Dave. We talked about mine and mom's mental and emotional issues, and the hardships that we went through.
We talked extensively about my temper, and the things I might do to manage it including; working with the kids. Finding ways that they can help me. Working with Celeste. Making her the referee. If she calls a HOLD then it's a HOLD. Talked a little bit about prayer. To my children I am to be Father, Priest, and King.
We spoke of +RAPHAEL+ and my experiences with Him. That was difficult for me, and Edward chided me a bit for my concern over confiding to a priest. He recommended me to read Ezk 1-2.
We talked a bit about vocation and my call towards priesthood. Obviously the Jesuits are out of the question. He advised me to follow the idea that man was created to Praise, Reverence, and Serve the Lord. That is first. The consider what work will help me on towards that.
All in all it was a very helpful meeting, and I am thankful to God for it.
+PAX+
Day 2 Lect. 4 - Cleaning the Lens: That I May See
Cleaning the Lens, that I may see...
Scripture readings:
John 8- The Adulterous Woman
John 9- Jesus, the Blind man, and the Pharasees
Romans 5- We have been justified by Faith
Psalm 32- Blessed are the Forgiven
Cleaning the Lens is about being able to view our faults, and our sins, through the lens of God's Love, rather than through the lens of Man's guilt.
One of the biggest "turn-offs" for people on Christianity is the whole Sin and Guilt thing. Who can blame them? Nobody wants to admit on their own that they are flawed, and they damn sure don't want somebody else telling them that they are flawed.
But if we can get past our Egos long enough, we can really examine our lives and our thoughts and really admit that we have issues (some greater than others, some lesser, it really doesn't matter). Once we can do that, coupled with the knowledge that God loves us, wholly, unconditionally, no matter what, and that He wants us to change (metanoia) so that we may be closer to Him, it suddenly becomes clearer and easier that there is a real opportunity to have a real relationship with God. One that is based on Love and not guilt and fear.
Remember... God does not condemn us for our sins... we do.
We are going to use the word "sin" here, as it is part of the vernacular, but it must be understood that "sin" is not doing things that the Bible says that we should not do (although that can be part of it), but sin is doing those things which are counter survival, and/or counter to bringing us closer to God. Sin is not "breaking the LAW OF GOD, therefore YOU are GOING to HAAEEEELLLLL!!!... Umm, no... Sin is "hamartia"... missing the target. Error. It is correctable. I was really quite (pleasently) suprised to even read the Wikipedia not on the origin of the word:
Once we can honestly confront our sins, we can begin the process of "metanoia" or change of heart and mind. "There is nothing 'once and for all' in a decision to change." The process takes time, and patience, and discipline, and the willingness to stay open to God and let Him help you.
Ignatius talks about Attachment and Indifference. Iggy's idea on indifference is de-tachment from those things that keep us from God.
What are WE attached to that keeps us from God?
The Sin of Separation
We talked about sin as "what separates us from one another?" How do we relate to our fellow man, especially when there is cause for stress in the relationship. These stresses can be: Attitudes, judgements, preconceptions, lack of compassion. Lack of Affinity. (See my entry on Affinity, Reality, and Communication, ARC)
We were asked to examine areas or people in out lives that we had trouble with in this department. For me it is p-eople that I have communication barriers with, either through their having a learning disability, a language barrier, or their being say... a dog. I have a problem with homeless people. I feel bad for them, but I find that I have to wall up my compassion for them lest I give them the clothes off my back. (I have had too many unfortunate run in's with the homeless to NOT put up a wall between myself and them. Something I suppose I should work on.)
We are meant to be CHRIST in the world. We are meant to be a LIGHT. We cannot keep ourselves covered up with a basket.
The Sin of Self Neglect
There must be a balance between serving others and taking care of OUR needs.
What things in my life am I attached to that are actually harmful to me?
What loops play over and over in my mind that keep me down? Harpies?
What or WHO is my sabatuer?
How am I honouring the Gift of Me?
*God will forgive us if we forgive us. Can we forgive ourselves and turn away from those things that we know are not of God?*
From John 9-
We get so hung up on our own preconceived notions, or rigid thoughts, that we fail to see the miracle standing right in front of us.
From Romans 5-
We have been justified by faith.
Rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
Suffering leads to endurance
Endurance builds character
Character developes hope
Hope will not shame us as God's Love has been poured into us.
We are reconciled to God by God's love for us, even as we were sinners before Jesus' death.
As one sin lead to condemnation and spiritual death, so does one act of righteousness lead to salvation and eternal spiritual life.
From Psalm 32-
Blessed are the forgiven says David. Confess your sins to God, be forgiven, and sin no more. Rejoice in the Lord and know that you are forgiven!
But confession and forgiveness must be followed by change. We must remain vigilant and disciplined to not fall back into the sleep of this world.
Scripture readings:
John 8- The Adulterous Woman
John 9- Jesus, the Blind man, and the Pharasees
Romans 5- We have been justified by Faith
Psalm 32- Blessed are the Forgiven
Cleaning the Lens is about being able to view our faults, and our sins, through the lens of God's Love, rather than through the lens of Man's guilt.
One of the biggest "turn-offs" for people on Christianity is the whole Sin and Guilt thing. Who can blame them? Nobody wants to admit on their own that they are flawed, and they damn sure don't want somebody else telling them that they are flawed.
But if we can get past our Egos long enough, we can really examine our lives and our thoughts and really admit that we have issues (some greater than others, some lesser, it really doesn't matter). Once we can do that, coupled with the knowledge that God loves us, wholly, unconditionally, no matter what, and that He wants us to change (metanoia) so that we may be closer to Him, it suddenly becomes clearer and easier that there is a real opportunity to have a real relationship with God. One that is based on Love and not guilt and fear.
Remember... God does not condemn us for our sins... we do.
We are going to use the word "sin" here, as it is part of the vernacular, but it must be understood that "sin" is not doing things that the Bible says that we should not do (although that can be part of it), but sin is doing those things which are counter survival, and/or counter to bringing us closer to God. Sin is not "breaking the LAW OF GOD, therefore YOU are GOING to HAAEEEELLLLL!!!... Umm, no... Sin is "hamartia"... missing the target. Error. It is correctable. I was really quite (pleasently) suprised to even read the Wikipedia not on the origin of the word:
"In Abrahamic contexts, sin is the act of violating God's will. Sin can also be viewed as anything within individuals that violates the ideal relationship between them and God.
"The word derives from “Old English syn(n), for original sunjō,... The stem may be related to that of Latin sons, sont-is guilty. In Old English there are examples of the original general sense, 'offense, wrong-doing, misdeed.' The Biblical terms that have been translated from Greek and Hebrew literally refer to missing a target, i.e. error."
Once we can honestly confront our sins, we can begin the process of "metanoia" or change of heart and mind. "There is nothing 'once and for all' in a decision to change." The process takes time, and patience, and discipline, and the willingness to stay open to God and let Him help you.
Ignatius talks about Attachment and Indifference. Iggy's idea on indifference is de-tachment from those things that keep us from God.
What are WE attached to that keeps us from God?
The Sin of Separation
We talked about sin as "what separates us from one another?" How do we relate to our fellow man, especially when there is cause for stress in the relationship. These stresses can be: Attitudes, judgements, preconceptions, lack of compassion. Lack of Affinity. (See my entry on Affinity, Reality, and Communication, ARC)
We were asked to examine areas or people in out lives that we had trouble with in this department. For me it is p-eople that I have communication barriers with, either through their having a learning disability, a language barrier, or their being say... a dog. I have a problem with homeless people. I feel bad for them, but I find that I have to wall up my compassion for them lest I give them the clothes off my back. (I have had too many unfortunate run in's with the homeless to NOT put up a wall between myself and them. Something I suppose I should work on.)
We are meant to be CHRIST in the world. We are meant to be a LIGHT. We cannot keep ourselves covered up with a basket.
The Sin of Self Neglect
There must be a balance between serving others and taking care of OUR needs.
What things in my life am I attached to that are actually harmful to me?
What loops play over and over in my mind that keep me down? Harpies?
What or WHO is my sabatuer?
How am I honouring the Gift of Me?
*God will forgive us if we forgive us. Can we forgive ourselves and turn away from those things that we know are not of God?*
From John 9-
We get so hung up on our own preconceived notions, or rigid thoughts, that we fail to see the miracle standing right in front of us.
From Romans 5-
We have been justified by faith.
Rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
Suffering leads to endurance
Endurance builds character
Character developes hope
Hope will not shame us as God's Love has been poured into us.
We are reconciled to God by God's love for us, even as we were sinners before Jesus' death.
As one sin lead to condemnation and spiritual death, so does one act of righteousness lead to salvation and eternal spiritual life.
From Psalm 32-
Blessed are the forgiven says David. Confess your sins to God, be forgiven, and sin no more. Rejoice in the Lord and know that you are forgiven!
But confession and forgiveness must be followed by change. We must remain vigilant and disciplined to not fall back into the sleep of this world.
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