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March 10, 2010
> 10:18 AM
from st. bernard > fear and self-interest Neither fear nor self-interest can convert the soul. They may change the appearance, perhaps even the conduct, but never the object of supreme desire... Fear is the motive which constrains the slave; greed binds the selfish man, by which he is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed (James 1:14). But neither fear nor self-interest is undefiled, nor can they convert the soul. Only charity can convert the soul, freeing it from unworthy motives.Can we see or hear or read something like this over and over again and still not quite get it? I'm pretty sure we can. Fear doesn't change people. It will not, it cannot transform the inner person into the Image of Christ! "Don't do this or you'll go to hell" DOESN'T WORK! Oh, as St. Bernard says, it may well change the conduct, the behavior of a person, at least temporarily, but it cannot effect real, permanent change. We make a very grave error when we depend on that kind of thing to control others or ourselves. Not even "self-interest" can work real transformative change in us. Not even doing it because we want to improve ourselves so that we are "the best" we can be. That doesn't sound right to someone, but I think it's true. These kinds of motivations are ultimately about the self - me, me, me. They have at their root, pride. Can we want to grow further into Christ and it not be pride? Oh, I think certainly we can. But of course, as we go along in this life, all our motives are somewhat broken. We rarely have a perfect desire. But we have to at least understand that at its core, basically this whole thing is about love - Love. God has Loved and does Love us and that effects change in us. It elicits a response from us - a deep one, a real one. And the truest response to that deep drawing is also love - love responding to Love. That's where transformation happens, in the relational interaction of love between us and God. It's the only place it happens. If we keep that in mind, even in the midst of our broken mess of twisted desires and motives, God will see that and that loving relationship will continue to happen and we will truly be changed. Labels: saints, spiritual formation 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | November 11, 2009 > 10:52 AM re-post > martin of tours > soldier of Christ I always do this - realize it's the feast of Martin of Tours and also that it's ironically Veteren's Day in the U.S. on the same day. It always makes me want to say something and today is no different. I've decided that I don't want to re-think up thoughts I've already penned, though, so I'm re-posting something I wrote last year on this same day. I re-read it and I think it still speaks very much what is in my heart. No reason to re-invent the pacifist wheel, so to speak. I've written 2 or 3 other specific posts about this subject you may be interested in as well. They are all located on this page if you'd like to take a look. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  Today is the memorial of St. Martin of Tours. Being a Roman soldier - after his conversion, he became what we now know as a conscientious objector. He refused to fight any longer. The famous quote is..."I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ. Give the bounty to those who are going to fight. But I am a soldier of Christ and it is not lawful for me to fight."Many Christians before and after St. Martin have come to the same conclusion about killing in light of their new Life in Christ. I have myself. Once upon a time I actually joined the U.S. Navy, just before Liz and I were married in 1988. I took the oath, all that. I was scheduled to go to boot camp on delayed entry at the end of that Summer. I never went. Just before I decided to join, I prayed and asked God to give me a quick answer (I know, I know - anyway...) - it was "no." But I shrugged it off and did it anyway. When I took the oath, I felt as squirrely as a, well, as a big red-tailed fox squirrel. It didn't feel right. During the next couple of months, I prayed a lot, studied a good bit, and came to the very firm conclusion that I could not kill anyone for my country, for anyone. That, along with that pesky oath business did me in. I couldn't do it. I called the Senior Chief Petty Officer who recruited me and explained to him my dilemma. He was actually very nice about it, very understanding, questioned me, proposed scenarios to check my resolve and finally told me I would receive paperwork in the mail soon that I needed to sign. It came. I signed it. That was it. And no, I'm not officially a "veteran" since I was only ever technically in the "Innactive Naval Reserve." OK, that's my story. I'm no Martin of Tours. He could have been instantly killed for his decision, which took place in a battlefield setting. The occasion made me think of it, though, so there you go. There is a long tradition of Christian Pacifism which shouldn't be taken lightly. Even those of us who aren't convicted in this way, should be very careful and serious about vowing your oath and allegiance and taking up arms to kill for a cause. Of course, if you ask my advice or opinion, I'd say, steer clear and don't put yourself in that position. Oh, the "ironic" part up there is obviously that it's Veteran's Day in the U.S. today. Interesting overlap. Take a look at the site of Catholic Peace Fellowship for some more info. Here's a helpful PDF file of quotes from Church history, etc. on the subject of conscientious objection. PEACE be with you - seriously - to all of us. St. Martin, pray for us. Labels: pacifism, re-post, saints 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | November 01, 2009 > 10:09 AM a litany for all saints I want to name a few people who are not in this realm of existence any more, but who (I am confident) are with God in a fullness of Life that we cannot truly understand at this point. Not all of them are officially "canonized" - they don't have to be. I often ask my siblings in the heavenly arena to pray for me, for us. Our connection with them has not ended. The Communion of Saints includes both them and us. So here is my own personal litany...
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permalink | e-mail me | October 22, 2009 > 11:30 PM dark night 1:5:3  One more quote from St. John of the Cross - Book 1, Ch. 5 of Dark Night of the Soul - verse 3 - getting into how we view our own journey of spiritual growth."There are others who are vexed with themselves when they observe their own imperfectness, and display an impatience that is not humility; so impatient are they about this that they would fain be saints in a day. Many of these persons purpose to accomplish a great deal and make grand resolutions; yet, as they are not humble and have no misgivings about themselves, the more resolutions they make, the greater is their fall and the greater their annoyance, since they have not the patience to wait for that which God will give them when it pleases Him; this likewise is contrary to the spiritual meekness aforementioned, which cannot be wholly remedied save by the purgation of the dark night. Some souls, on the other hand, are so patient as regards the progress which they desire that God would gladly see them less so."This is not exactly the same as scrupulosity, but it's similar and I'd say, related. Those of us who beat ourselves up over every tiny little "infraction" are dealing with the far end of the pride stick. The expectation of quick perfection in the spiritual life is a disastrous thing. First of all, it's a sure-fire recipe for being miserable - ALL the time. And it may even get to the point of rooting us right out of any kind of faith life. I guess that means we can actually beat ourselves to death - sort of. "...so impatient are they about this that they would fain be saints in a day." I'll not go into different ideas of what a "saint" is. I think we're talking about a perfected human person here, re-made into the Image of Christ. So, if someone has the idea, for example, that once you know all the right beliefs, have studied all the right doctrine, etc., that you then "have no excuse" and are immediately able to always make the right decisions - uuuhh, you're in for a ride folks. This is not to understand the concept of spiritual development, formation - not understanding that simply because one is now a Christian, that one has (in a Catholic context for instance) gone through RCIA or CCD classes, any other Confirmation classes - this doesn't mean that one's insides have been transformed into the kind of "insides" that see as God sees, think as God thinks and act as God acts. None of that means that you are able to fully participate in your sharing of the Divine Nature as a Child of God. It's not just about making your mind up and deciding something. Many young Christians (not just "young" chronologically) are done the disservice of being taught in this way. We simply do not seem to be telling people that this whole Christian "thing" is about being transformed into fully Human Beings (capitals on purpose) - into the kind of people He created us to be in the beginning. We do not seem to be telling people that simply because you know the "rules" doesn't mean you have the constitutional ability to follow them - oh, and that it's really not about following rules - Lord God have mercy. Tell people this, those who have a place to tell them. Please tell them that knowledge is not growth. Tell them that believing right things is not equal to being a right person. Tell them. Labels: saints, spiritual formation 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | October 15, 2009 > 11:25 PM st. theresa of avila > prepare your will  Today is the feast day of St. Theresa of Avila. I've admired her writing and insights for a while. Mostly in Interior Castle. The concept she develops there of our lives as Christians being like being invited into the great castle of our King - our trip from the outer entry rooms, through to the inner rooms, and finally into the central chamber where the King Himself dwells - this has helped to form my own ideas of what the spiritual life is, how it works. Very helpful.I can look back on several things I've written and see the influence very clearly. I hear it in how I talk about these things sometimes. God most definitely uses the other members of the Body of Christ to build us up, to teach us, inspire us. He gives us pieces of Himself through our siblings, and to them through us. He is slowly weaving us all into one unified cloth. In order for this to work properly, though, we have to be listening, paying attention. Here are a couple or three good quotes that I have underlined in the past in Interior Castle - have fun... "All that the beginner in prayer has to do - and you must not forget this, prepare himself with all possible diligence to bring his will into conformity with the will of God."Speaking of our union with God in that last small quote. The others, and the last quote, speak of our cooperative part in the process, which is not as we sometimes suppose. I've thought and said before, that really, all we are able to do, is to will to will the Will of God. I say "will to will" because we can't even grunt up the basic will to be in union with God on our own, without His Grace. But from the general, or prevenient (it is sometimes called) Grace given to all men, we are able to sense the Grace of God and, on a very base level, react to it - we can will to will His Will... and He moves... and the journey continues to it's completion. So, we ourselves, don't do the actual work of transformation in our own selves. We cannot. He alone can do this work. We can do things to prepare for His working, though, and we should. We are doing that which helps to open our wills. We are stepping into the flow of the Great River, as it were. Thank you, St. Theresa, for listening in order to hear as clearly as you did - for passing those things onto us, your siblings in Christ. Pray for us, that we would hear and see and be even more. Labels: saints, spiritual formation 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | October 14, 2009 > 3:47 PM dark night 1:5:2 More from St. John of the Cross - Book 1, Ch. 5 of Dark Night of the Soul, today, verse 2 - this one goes to meddlin'..."There are other of these spiritual persons, again, who fall into another kind of spiritual wrath: this happens when they become irritated at the sins of others, and keep watch on those others with a sort of uneasy zeal. At times the impulse comes to them to reprove them angrily, and occasionally they go so far as to indulge it and set themselves up as masters of virtue. All this is contrary to spiritual meekness."Oh my. "All this is contrary to spiritual meekness." Let's allow that sentence to sink in a bit. I have seen this. I've probably done it. It almost seems like there is an epidemic of this kind of thing running through the Body of Christ. It seems like some take it on as a job - being irritated by the sins of others and keeping watch on them, and of course, fixing them - never mind the fixing, punishing will do. What are we accomplishing when we do this? I'm convinced that it really stems from a desire to see one's self as good. So any "light" that can be shone on the darkness of others only serves to make whatever "light" we have seem brighter - to us - perhaps we might think, to God as well. We would be wrong. What are we doing? Many times, I notice the "sins" of others that are so irritating, so worth keeping watch on, are no sins at all. Imperfections (as St. John puts it), perhaps. Maybe not even that. And even if they are sins, how does Love act? What IS our job in the spiritual life, really, primarily? If I was pushed for a short answer, I'd say, "to love God - to love people - that is all." Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen. Labels: saints, spiritual formation 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | October 13, 2009 > 2:22 PM dark night 1:5:1 I thought it might be helpful to share a bit of St. John of the Cross this week. I'll go through Book 1, Ch. 5 of his Dark Night of the Soul, beginning today with verse 1...Of the imperfections into which beginners fall with respect to the sin of wrath.Now, if you can get past the flowery language that belongs to an English translation of 16th century Spanish, this is very, very good stuff. I'll say, first, that many of us, in reading this, should not dismiss ourselves so quickly because he is writing about "beginners." We may not think of ourselves as beginners in the faith. Perhaps we have been in Christ for a long time, as "time" goes, and have even fervently believed and grown in love for Him. Still there may be many ways in which we are all yet "beginners." I'll go on to sort of define terms a bit: Consolations = Feelings and sensations of God working in our minds, hearts, souls, bodies - maybe an overwhelming feeling of being loved which causes us to cry, become weak in the knees, tremble - maybe God allows us to feel as if we are gathered up in His arms, and we feel this very acutely - perhaps even on to something like an ecstatic state in which we hear and see Him and His words very clearly. Many of my charismatic brothers and sisters will understand some of this. But one need not be "a charismatic" to experience God in this more tangible way in the senses. Here's the thing though, and part of what St. John is getting at: Certainly these things may happen as we pray or at other times - God may allow them to happen in order to help us at certain times for certain reasons. As with the example of the young child being weened off it's Mother's breast, we should grow to understand that these things, themselves, are not God, and are not necessary in our spiritual life. We should grow not to depend on having these sensory feelings or experiences of God in order to believe that, for instance, He is with us, helping us, teaching us, working on us, loving us. Ideally, we will grow into a maturity that knows these things at all times, without the constant aid of consolations. More to come about how some of us (yes, maybe even YOU or ME) get really upset when we don't get us some consolations - or even worse, take it out on others. Stay tuned... Labels: prayer, saints, spiritual formation 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | October 04, 2009 > 1:28 PM francis  Today is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. I had forgotten until I was reminded. Just this week, I had been scanning through a small book of selected writings I have of his and St. Clare's, and found a great prayer he wrote, inspired by the Our Father. I was thinking, "this would be a good thing to put on the blog," and here we are, the day of St. Francis, perfect excuse.St. Francis has always been, it feels like to me, one of my "patrons." My Confirmation name is Christopher. We're not even sure he was a real person. I like the concept of being a "Christ carrier" though. Sometimes I don't carry Him very well. He carries me much better - for that I am grateful. Honestly, I think Francis was a leeeetle bit crazy, but you know, we love him anyway. He was certainly a fool for Christ. We could all do with a being more of that kind of crazy. I am inspired by his great love for God and for people, by his seeming total abandonment to God's transformative power in his life. The mountain and valley style of monastic life he set up with his little brothers is also a source of inspiration for me. Go up in the hermitage in the woods for a while, be built up, then go down to the streets and let the Life of God in you, be poured out to others. That's good stuff. Alright - here's the prayer... O our most holy Father: 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | July 22, 2009 > 12:59 PM she of magdala > reposted A few years ago, in 2005, I was thinking about she who's feast day is today, and wrote a significant post on these thoughts. I think it's worth reposting today. The premise comes from the concern some have that somehow leaders in the Church or others made up the whole "she was a prostitute" thing in order to denigrate her character because she was a woman, blah, blah, blah. OK, I'll let my former words, and still my current thoughts, speak about this.  St. Mary Magdalene. I know it's not her feast day or anything, at least not that I know of. I was just thinking of her. I probably heard something on a show I saw on Discovery or somewhere, something like that. I have often thought this and have rarely said it. Sooo, what's the big damn deal if she was a prostitute? Seriously. If indeed, she was a prostitute and then answered a call to follow Christ, knew Him, learned from him, and then was a part of making Him known - so what. Is that a bad thing? Well, it's a thing, for sure. It may even be a good thing.Here's what I mean: If there was this woman named Mary from Magdala and this woman was a prostitute for whatever reason - if that is so and this woman encountered God in the flesh, Jesus the Christ and was changed by the Life she encountered in Him, then we should glorify God. Does this make me think less of Mary? No. I said no. It doesn't at all. I don't even understand that. I don't understand where that information about her past (if it was so) would make anyone feel that she was dirty or unworthy or anything of the sort - any more than the rest of us. Paul was effectively a murderer of Christians for God's sake and he announced that to be true. What is there in this alleged prostitution conspiracy that could harm Mary at all compared to that? Nothing. It's ridiculous. It would seem to me that anyone espousing such a theory is the person who has something against prostitutes, who would for some reason feel a woman "disqualified" for whatever for having been one. I'm not sure but I think there are numerous churches named after this sanctified former prostitute. I'm pretty sure people all over the world venerate her and pray asking for her intercession. Why? Because she was a notorious follower of Jesus - because she was committed and stayed with Him when others fled in fear - because of her great faith. Perhaps her escape from that life through Christ has caused a greater harvest of gratitude and thanksgiving in the world than if it had been some otherwise "upright" woman in not so much need of radical salvation. Unless of course you want to make some kind of case that it's just fine and dandy to continue to be a prostitute - that this is a legitimate life-choice for someone and that there is no need of "salvation" for such a person. I don't think you want to do that. But that's no different than any other fallen state of any other person whom Jesus came to Love and raise up into full and true humanity. So, let's stop trying to make big deals where no deals need be made. I couldn't care less if Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. Nobody said she was turning tricks out of the upper room. Crazy. Mary is you. Mary is me. We all might as well have been prostitutes or murderers. It doesn't matter. And if it does matter, it matters because of the great Love and Power of God that came to bring us back to life anyway - despite our unworthiness. Pray for us Mary of Magdala, that we may answer the call as well as you did. technorati tags > mary magdalene, prostitution, davinci code, theology, church Labels: christian life, saints, theology 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | March 17, 2009 > 3:41 PM a few words on patrick's day  Here's a prayer I have always clipped in the back on my prayer book - on St. Patrick's Day...St. Patrick's Breastplate I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, his eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to harken to my need: the wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward; the word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard. Christ be with me, Christ before me. Christ behind me, Christ deep within me, Christ below me, Christ above me, Christ at my right hand, Christ at my left hand, Christ as I lie down, Christ as I arise, Christ as I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. So, it seems that Patrick was a Christian - Christ this, Christ that, Christ everywhere - holding him, protecting him, teaching him, guarding him, being all up in every kind of relationship he has or could have, even inside of any contact with any person. Yes, I believe this is about being fully Christian. It brings to mind the Scripture we did Lectio Divina with last night at our parish mission, or this part of it... "I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me." –Galatians 2:19b-20Christ in us. He lives IN US. We do not always act as if this is true. Sometimes we act as if this only means that "Christ the Judge" lives in us, and behave accordingly. Sometimes we forget our new identity and live as merely human beings. Let us try to embrace the whole Christ, all around us and inside us, for the whole us, as St. Patrick seemed to have done. Peace be with you. Patrick, pray for us. ALSO: Check out my rosary site for some highlighted Celtic-inspired pieces. Labels: saints, spiritual formation 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | January 02, 2009 > 3:46 PM basil & gregory > prayer number 4  Today is the feast of St.s Basil and Gregory (Nazianzen) - two of the great Eastern Fathers of the Church. I know this from the Office. I also happened to go to daily Mass today and Fr. John gave a little preamble about them. You can read a little about Basil here and Gregory here.Now, what really made me want to blog today was that also Fr. John chose to use Eucharistic Prayer No. 4 today at Mass, which he informed us was written, by and large, by St. Basil. I don't think I've ever heard it used before, not that I remember. It really is beautiful. And the deep connection with the ancient Church, praying this 1700 year old prayer, was striking a significant chord inside me. So, here it is... PrefaceSome of that will be very familiar to Catholics at least. But the longer sections are quite fuller. This prayer encopasses a more complete synopsis of our salvation history - very creedal in places. I typed all that so I hope there are no mistakes. Anyway, I thought the language was great and wanted to share it with you. Peace to you today. St.s Basil and Gregory, ora pro nobis. Labels: catholic, eucharist, liturgy, saints 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | November 11, 2008 > 2:45 PM ironic > st. martin of tours Today is the memorial of St. Martin of Tours. Being a Roman soldier - after his conversion, he became what we now know as a conscientious objector. He refused to fight any longer. The famous quote is..."I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ. Give the bounty to those who are going to fight. But I am a soldier of Christ and it is not lawful for me to fight."Many Christians before and after St. Martin have come to the same conclusion about killing in light of their new Life in Christ. I have myself. Once upon a time I actually joined the U.S. Navy, just before Liz and I were married in 1988. I took the oath, all that. I was scheduled to go to boot camp on delayed entry at the end of that Summer. I never went. Just before I decided to join, I prayed and asked God to give me a quick answer (I know, I know - anyway...) - it was "no." But I shrugged it off and did it anyway. When I took the oath, I felt as squirrely as a, well, as a big red-tailed fox squirrel. It didn't feel right. During the next couple of months, I prayed a lot, studied a good bit, and came to the very firm conclusion that I could not kill anyone for my country, for anyone. That, along with that pesky oath business did me in. I couldn't do it. I called the Senior Chief Petty Officer who recruited me and explained to him my dilemma. He was actually very nice about it, very understanding, questioned me, proposed scenarios to check my resolve and finally told me I would receive paperwork in the mail soon that I needed to sign. It came. I signed it. That was it. And no, I'm not officially a "veteran" since I was only ever technically in the "Innactive Naval Reserve." OK, that's my story. I'm no Martin of Tours. He could have been instantly killed for his decision, which took place in a battlefield setting. The occasion made me think of it, though, so there you go. There is a long tradition of Christian Pacifism which shouldn't be taken lightly. Even those of us who aren't convicted in this way, should be very careful and serious about vowing your oath and allegiance and taking up arms to kill for a cause. Of course, if you ask my advice or opinion, I'd say, steer clear and don't put yourself in that position. Oh, the "ironic" part up there is obviously that it's Veteran's Day in the U.S. today. Interesting overlap. Take a look at the site of Catholic Peace Fellowship for some more info. Here's a helpful PDF file of quotes from Church history, etc. on the subject of conscientious objection. PEACE be with you - seriously - to all of us. St. Martin, pray for us. Labels: church, pacifism, saints 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | November 02, 2008 > 12:17 PM birthday > all souls  Happy birthday to the Kenz! McKenzie Ann Creech, that is - our youngest baby child. Baby no more, I suppose. 13 years ago today, McKenzie was born. And that means, yes that's right, we now officially have 4 teenagers!!! Hail Mary, full of Grace.... pray for us! I think we'll probably be alright, but you know, it's a little intimidating. Thank God we have good kids (for the most part, you know). I'm not sure what I would do otherwise. I have bad enough problems dealing with what I have sometimes. Anyway, we love our Kenz. She's a handful. She actually started being a teenager when she was about 10 I think, so she should actually chill out in the next year or so, right? Right?? I'll let you know what we got her as a present after she finds out later today. :)Today is All Souls Day. Yeah, All Saints was yesterday - this is slightly different. I think some people think of All Souls as only for those who have passed over and are still "in purgatory." OK, as if we can really know who is and who isn't. And then, there's the when and where of purgatory - kinda hard to nail down something that exists outside of time in eternity. So, "how long?" - hmmm, not really qualified to fully answer that one (not putting myself down, nobody is). Also, that "where" business is a bit sketchy. Purgatory is about mercy and God's Love and transforming power working on us until we're done, until we're fully recreated as members of the New Humanity. It's not about a place of punishment. I feel fairly confident saying that. That was sort of a tangent, but it was worth it probably. All Souls - when we celeberat all the faithful departed. All those who were marked with the mark of Jesus, who have gone before us, whether or not they have been officially recognized as "Saints." They all aren't necessarily still being purged. We can still look to them as examples. We can still ask for their intercession, their prayers. I want to name some names - of some whom I have known or "known" (who aren't on any Saint list). I want to recognize them and ask them to pray for me, for us...
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permalink | e-mail me | November 01, 2008 > 11:26 AM all saints > merton Well, happy feast of All Saints. Congratulations! Old blog readers here will have seen my write this before on All Saints Day. You'll get what I mean shortly. Here's the deal - we have a lot of friends in the Heavenly arena. Some we know only by reputation, some we have known personally in this life. Most of them aren't canonized "Saints" - that's fine, you don't have to be. Of course, there have been heroically holy people a'many who have passed over into the fullness of eternity with God whom we have no knowledge of whatsoever - probably several to whom the likes of St. Francis would tip his proverbial holy hat. Being a Saint is not about being canonized, it's about being wrapped up in the Life of God, about being transformed into the Image of Christ. The Church sometimes officially recognizes this reality in some of its members, but that has never meant that only those people are "in Heaven" and can be venerated or petitioned for their intercession. There's probably some overlap with tomorrow, All Souls Day, which is about all those who have died and gone before us, whether or not they have been officially recognized as "Saints."  And of course, we are Saints. Maybe we're just saints. I'd think if we are inhabited by the Life Essence of God, the same thing that has made the recognized Saints who and what they are, maybe we should capitalize our Saints too. Anyway, that's really neither here nor there. I have a treat for you today - no, not leftover candy...I've skimmed a few brief minutes from a recording of Thomas Merton teaching a conference to the younger monks at Gethsemani that I have. This particular tape (or CD, however you buy it) is called Sanctity. One side includes this talk from Gethsemani in the late 60's, about All Saints. The other side was recorded in Bangkok probably a week before he died. You can buy them at the Gethsemani book and gift store or from Credence Communications, who distributes them. > This is a great little section about All Saints, about us being Saints, Grace, etc. And there's a lot more laughing in here than you'd think from that picture over there (I wonder if he laughed when they had him stare out the window - funny). Happy All Saints from me and Big Tom. technorati tags > all saints, thomas merton Labels: catholic, church, merton, saints 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | October 30, 2008 > 9:42 AM the saints on halloween Thanks to Fr. Mark Mossa for posting this. I thought it was so good, I'm spreading it around even more. Fr. James Martin is a pretty funny guy, and a good communicator. I've always appreciated everything I've seen or read from him. This is no different. So, I hope you enjoy this little video as much as I did. There may even be a wee bit of edumacation in there for somebody. Peace and happy almost Halloween. 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | October 04, 2008 > 8:48 PM st. francis...  Ora pro nobis - Pray for us.   The old boy sits in our front flower garden. This is his feast day, by the way. He was Liz's last birthday present. I ask him to pray for us as I pass the statue often.I'm not sure I thought of it till now, but it was probably appropriate that I spent today in the woods, or a good chunk of it. I went to my parents' house. About two-thirds of their 7 acres or so is heavily wooded. Lots of big Oak trees, some Locusts, Pines, etc. Today our goal was to down a big dead Oak that had been standing back there for two or three years. That's the upper part of it there in the center on the right - pretty good sized tree.   So, my Dad, my son Conor and I headed up to the woods, surveyed the situation and I went to work like a lumberjack. I guess I've watched enough on TV to know how to notch the tree properly and cut the rest from the back with a chainsaw. Let me tell you, it was scary as crap. I had to stop a few times as I was cutting in and step back to take a breath. After all that, it fell just where we planned, with great force, and we drove home with a truck-load of wood for burning in our fireplace this Fall/Winter. I'm grateful for the free wood. I'm grateful no one was hurt. I'm grateful for my parents. I'm grateful for my children. I'm grateful for my wife. I'm grateful we still have a house to live in and food to eat.Labels: family, personal, saints 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | July 11, 2008 > 8:43 PM benedict on my desk  Today is the feast of St. Benedict of Nursia, the father of Western Monasticism. I've not had a huge devotion to or focus on Benedict most of my Christian life - probably more implicitly than explicitly because I share a drawing to similar monastic ideals. He does sit in my "cloud of witnesses" you could call it - icons on top of my desk in the study. He's there with Patrick, Francis, Jesus the Teacher and the Blessed Mother. Jesus with his burning Sacred Heart takes up residence across the room in a special, central place on top of my book shelves. Thank God for visual aids.I don't have tons to say about Benedict. You can read a sketch there at the link. The thing that always, without fail, comes to mind when I focus on him is that, and consider all he has been and is to the Church, to monks, to many in Orders that bear his name, to Christians all over - is that he was really just a lay person who wanted to find a way to serve and focus on God with others while they were being transformed into the Image of Christ. Not a priest. Not even a Deacon as far as I know. But he is Father Benedict. There's hope there. Pray for us, O Abbot. Labels: monasticism, saints 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | December 14, 2007 > 12:47 PM st. john of the cross > the cross  Today is the Memorial of St. John of the Cross. He is one of the great Christian Mystics and considered a Doctor of the Church (a great Teacher of the faith who's insights are considered good spiritual food for the whole Body). I have gained a good bit of insight from reading some of his writings over the years. I haven't read a lot, but you don't have to. It gets deep pretty quick.He was a Spanish monk/priest of the Carmelite order, born in 1542. His spiritual director of sorts was another famous Mystic, St. Teresa of Avila (you need to read her as well). Something about those Spaniards. One of the more valuable things that has stuck with me for a long time that I read was a comparison of the process of spiritual growth and maturity to that of a Mother weening her young child from her breast - how she put bitter herbs there and stopped carrying the child, putting him down to begin to walk on his own little feet. This is a difficult but necessary process we all have to go through at some point in order to become spiritually mature adults. Here's a selection of a selection from today's Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours - not the most pleasant thoughts these, but definitely some truth to it that we need to understand: We must then dig deeply in Christ. He is like a rich mine with many pockets containing treasures: however deep we dig we will never find their end or their limit. Indeed, in every pocket new seams of fresh riches are discovered on all sides.The thicket of the cross - that'll undo you right there. Not without God's Grace, though, or we would certainly be destroyed by it. We should certainly know that our destruction is not God's intention for us. This cross, these crosses, are only for our re-creation. St. John, ora pro nobis. technorati tags > st. john of the cross, the cross, knowledge of god, christian mysticism Labels: mysticism, saints, spiritual formation 0 comments
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