" Silence is golden, unless you have kids. Then, silence, is suspicious."                                       "Retiring, into silence, and solitude, woman/man, are exposed, to their nakedness" Benedict XVI                 " Silence is the place where, the unseen gathers, before becoming speech." Anonymous

                We come from, Silence..Silence is the souls natural home... silence is the language                                                                    of God, everything else is a poor translation." Rumi.                                         " The most profound statements, are found in, silence" St. John of The Cross

         " Keep silent, and I will teach you, wisdom". These are the words spoken, by Elihu to Job and have filtered down to you and Joe, in these sacramental moments. The sacramental moments moments, days for you, are "sacramental nanoseconds" for me. A nanosecond of silence is a great place to start. It is gone in a flash, but the gift bequeathed ? is ,eternal. I wonder did Paul have this in mind when he wrote, " Now, is the acceptable time, now is the time of salvation." The emerging  wisdom  those words, and their in-depth meaning evaded me, not for years, but for decades. 

  Let me make an attempt to explain. You see, I had the knowledge, but the wisdom, in time, has become a very welcomed visitor. A visitor, for whom I have ached, as Joe hiked the "highways and byways" of my Via Dolorosa. Because of grace, the workings of The Cosmic Christ, I am beginning to understand this visitor in now more like, a Permanent Resident. A Resident over Whom, Joe has no control. How often have I approached, His dwelling place, the prophet Elijah had a cave, have a room, only to find I am greeted by, silence.  Not just silence, but sheer silence. often accompanied by sheer emptiness. That place of  unmitigated, absolute silence and emptiness, has now become a room I do not want to go to, but Joe finds himself  being  mysteriously drawn to. There is always awaiting him either a welcoming, Presence, or an Emptiness that welcomes his endless questioning, and  the uncomfortable, challenges inherent in, troubled restlessness. He is beginning to understand "he is a spiritual being, immersed in the human experience." de Chardin.  How, awe-full, your awe-fullness ! 

      Wisdom comes to all. Wisdom comes not instantaneously, it will take days, and speaking from experience, decades.  She appears as a consolation for the pain endured from failure, rejection, abandonment, and endless encounters with nakedness. In other words, encounters with The Cross, The Paschal Mysteries, and The Cosmic, Risen Christ. " In Whom we live and move and have our being". Apart from his Transforming, and Transfiguring Presence we do not nor cannot have existence. So when another companion offers the compliment, " you are very wise, or, you have been blessed with wisdom" it is another way of saying, "You have a made lots of mistakes". Mistakes that spun you for a short or long time, but they were not allowed to define you. This mysterious happening was because of The Transforming Power, Who entered your life, AT, the  exact times of failure. "  "Creative Creator I offer myself unreservedly to You. Yes, my false self, and, true self. Remove from me every defect of character, that stands in the way of my usefulness in the revelation of  your Cosmic Creativity. I may be just a dot on the screens of many, but You have me front and center, never to be moved, eternally."

   Prayer, an honest acceptance, owning of who one is, where one is,  and how powerless one is, is essential for transformation and transfiguration. Any prayer, or communication, will fit the bill. We are not perfect, so our prayer will be imperfect. The more brutally honest, one can be, not in proper or accepted words the more ???? This paradox, one has to experience for oneself....."The Spirit will guide you into all truth". The results are not to  be hoarded, stow away, they are to be given away. In the act of giving, they become a Presence, " the wounded, becomes a wounded healer."( Nouwen)  This is the power experienced in the meetings of each and every 12 Step Program. In the rooms of every twelve step program, The Wounded Good Shepherd is present. He is looking on each one of his beloved flock. He looks with mercy-full care, and never looses focus, even for a nanosecond ??? 

      Elijah did not come to the refuge of the cave, on a winning streak. He was a frightened, be-wild ered prophet. At the end of his rope. The teachers, reaction to his predicament ," Elijah, you could not be in a better place." The retort will be instant, and very impolite.( Us, Irish , have a very pity phrase, that fits perfectly, for occasions such as this. I am not going to tell you, you have three guesses, and the first two, do not count.From my experience, the shorter, the better.) Spirituality begins with, TRUST, not perfection. Perfectionism is the greatest obstacle to an honest, healthy spirituality. We are all perfectly imperfect, the challenge lies in the acceptance of that truth, rather in the dis-functional comfort of the illusional, toxic, lie.  Perfectionism is a deadly, controlling, destructive disease It takes a great number of trips down the trail of the illusion, until some earthquake happens, to shatter that illusion. Years ago I was blest with this earthquake like honesty, " Joe you are an egomaniac, with an inferiority complex." That honest assessment was the earthquake essential for beginning of my endless journey.  Earthquakes are essential for, healthy evolution. It is only in hindsight we slowly begin to comprehend the value of our earthquakes. Where are the earthquakes in your life ? What are the challenges you have to face, to facilitate the emergence of your true self ? HONESTY, must I ? 

 Earthquakes are the one constant in the process of evolution. That is true for both the physical and spiritual worlds. We are experiencing tremendous earthquakes as our common home is being rattled, and cracks are appearing. Those cracks, are the passageway through which the truths essential for a healthy spirituality, filter into our lives. Reflect on the dynamic power Quantum has released ? Science and spirituality are no longer in tense opposition. Now they are being accepted as being, complimentary. All will ask, " Is there another way" ? Do not wastes your time, in ducking avoidance, of the harsh truths we are challenged to face. Remember The Presence in sheer silence ? That Presence will reveal, slowly, the healthy steps required for the unique Via Dolorosa you are destined to take. Follow in the steps of The Wounded Shepherd Who has gone before. These are the simple words we are destined to hear, again, and again. "Come, follow Me. Come, follow Me." He who is eternally calling, is Himself, The Bread of Life the enhancing strength we crave. In His Gospel journey, He was chosen, blessed, broken, and given. Big footsteps to follow, in companionship. G.J. 

       

         

 

        

                                   

 "   Thus, says the Lord, heed Me, come to Me heedfully, listen that you may have life." Isiah 55.

 " All you who are thirsty, come to the water. You who have no money, come receive grain and eat. Come without paying, without cost, drink wine and milk" Isiah 55.

" Meaning as a living depth, cannot be exhausted. Our capacity to receive, can be                  exhausted.  The false self version of meaning, can be exhausted."  Anonymous.                                                                                          

" It is the best of times. It is the worst of times", Charles Dickens is being  paraphrased  to describe the existential reality, we are forced to face, in these awe-full troubled times. For the few, the entitled it is "the best of times", and getting better still. For the many, it is "the worst of times", and getting  progressively worse. Scientists are telling us. " the cosmos is expanding". The cynic in me asks, "for what purpose" ? What need is there to expand the home  for, the poor, the powerless, the marginalized, the exploited, the dehumanized, all those for whom life is an endless, inexhaustible crucifixion", for the benefit of the few. It is a house that demands up-keeping, that is getting progressively more demanding, and expensive.  

        The vivification Joe needed to be " Bread for the weary, wine for the depressed, experiencing hopelessness and despair," is found hope in the power of The Word. The Word,  The Historical Jesus, who is now The Resurrected Christ, The Eternal  CosmicShepherd, whose compassionate Presence, all have been chosen to be. No empathy, active compassion for the crucified is demanded. In this is freedom.  Too be who we are really meant to be. In this is liberation to be led into being " new wine". New wine, needs new wineskins. The Spirit has, and is blessing us with a Liberation Theology,  also offering a spirituality grounded in the deepest of Realities, The Crucified"

           A Theology of The Glorious and Triumphant Kingdom, was viewed as superfluous, redundant. What was needed was a theology of liberation, meeting and ministering to the Suffering Christ in His deepest reality. Out of the pain of the masses, whose deepest reality is now seen as, The Sacrament of Christ. It is within the depth of their reality is found,The Presence. The Christic Presence, The All dwelling within, the all.  This creative and creating Presence has gifted humanity with a new Theology, founded on the living truths, revealed in, The Paschal Mysteries.

      Liberation Theology, let us be brutally honest, was not readily accepted by those whose fundamental lenses were,  European. Yes there was, and there is an ongoing battle for the  acceptance, validity of this new vision of,  The Suffering Christ. We have been blessed, with Pope Francis, whose foundation and formation was in The South American Church. He was from his earliest, education and formation, immersed in the Liberation Theology of the exploited masses whom he ministered to.  He was a witness to the power of The Small Faith Communities.

             What a dynamic, power-full presence small faith communities are. They vitalized the Catholic Church in South America. The powerless became transformed and transfigured by The Creative and Creating Spirit. The same Power gifting and challenging you, as you read this effort. The new listing of The Communion of Martys, in ways that have yet to be revealed. It would not be politically crept to do so. The list of martyrs is vast. How many of us in The  Western Hemisphere are  even aware of their sacrificial deaths ? I had the privilege of working in the same parish one of the martyrs. 

Pope Leo spent 20 years in South America. Though a Chicago native, he is continuing the vision of Francis. Pope Leo is facing tremendous opposition. He is desperate need of the support of those who accept that the Catholic Church is a church of ,The All. This  Awe-full Presence is to be reverenced in the all, TheMystical Body of Christ. In reality, all of us. We are all together, unified and empowered by The Cosmic Christ, our Origin and Destiny.

Isiah 55  offered hope to the exiled chosen people, and to us who are exiled from ourselves. Yes, The Jewish people, the chosen lost their home, and were banished into exile.  Being the beloved, does not inoculate the beloved, from reality.(Take time out so you can reflect on the treatment, The Beloved Son. What meaning is gleaned, for inspiration and motivation ? Actions ?) The  Creative Spirit selected Cyrus, a gentile for the work of liberation and renewal. In their time of alienation they were reminded of Covenant Love. Covenant love provides for the starving, and penniless, " grain and wheat to eat, and milk to drink," all without cost. This is the power of sacramental powerlessness !! 

 The lesson for us, in this transactional world, is we cannot earn, deserve, or qualify for this bounty, it is all free. It is all grace. Today  we find the same reality is found in the transformative word, beloved. We are all, the beloved, of The Beloved. No questions ever asked. Yet, do not we question our belovedness , endlessly ? Money, power status cannot buy the Living Water we are so desperately thirsting for. It is always offered, without cost, in the sacrament of the now moment. For me it is the sacrament of the, nanosecond ??? 

      We are all challenged to enter our depths and discover the  in-depth meaning, the unique gift waiting to be discovered and then bestowed, for what purpose ??  How do you personalize Isiah 55, and its  inherent challenges. We all are need of radical freedom. Cast off the chains that bind us. Walk freely and discover the " new heavens and new earths " waiting to be revealed, and actualized. A new creation emerges, because we are free.  This is why we so desperately crave freedom, but the price.... ?????  Are we ready for The Paschal immersion, with meaning This is where  our  personal understanding of  Liberation Theology and spirituality fulfills our present  existential needs as we emerge into ???   In all reality, Reality awaits you. Meaning is never exhausted, we get to be, exhausted. Vivification awaits. Not a stroll in the park, The Via Dolorosa, never is...................... You, have survived and  endured , and ??  Gramps.

            " I will not shrink the mystery, of The Mystery, into a cage of ego comfort." 

               " Let your compassion come to me, that I might live. Let your kindness, comfort me." Psalm 119 

" The Gospel is handed down from generation to generation, but it must reach one of us as brand new, or not at all...The new is within the old, because it is the perennial beginning of everything, transcending it."                                                                                "                                                                             Confessions of a Guilty Bystander." Thomas Merton.

  As we reflect on "Who, it is we are, Who, is it we have been called to Be, and above all, Who it is that has done the calling" we are being called to live, a new life."We must live that life, to the fullest." If not we will be not fulfilling our eternal chosenness, to be,"the glory of God"(Irenaeus) Yes, each person that inhabits reality, is a sacrament of The Unknown, The Ineffable. The more we respond to the invitation to go ever deeper into our reality, The Real is waiting for us. The Real is our Ground, our Destiny, and our Constant Companion. This is the One, when we live from our essential groundedness, our centeredness , we incarnate, and reveal to the individuals chosen, from eternity. 

.Those encounters have their birthing in the now, and intensify in each following sacramental now.  Encounters demands of us, the reality of presence, so The Presence can incarnated, and a little change happens. Not to be seen, captured but bubble up at the moment, that moment  seen as "the fullness of time". We are encouraged to be present to the sacramental now moments, what is your experience of encountering the sacramental, now ? " Every blessing is a curse, every curse is a blessing." Be gentle, be kind, dwell in self compassion, make acceptance, the place of your grounding. Accept your reality, is is ALWAYS the threshold we have to cross, on our way to the next threshold experience,....... ENDLESSLY.

     This, our vocation, our destiny, is fulfilled in personal encounters, as well as in gatherings, given the name communities. Both are essential for healthy living, and growth in our spiritual awarenesses. This is not a choice, we can make. It is not either/or, both personal encounters and presence at communal celebrations are, again, essential.Look at what is happening to the spiritual awakening that is currently taking place. Are not these young generations seeking, searching for meaning and belonging, in The Indefinable. Looking, looking, seeking seeking, searching, searching as that is happening where do you find in your grounding, in your reality, The Contemporary Gospel that helps the endless seeking, and searching? In other words, do you see yourselves as the chosen authors, of the required, The New Gospel?

 Yes, you are the chosen authors, just as Mathew, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, James etc. were chosen for their time, their age. So, " be, like a page, that aches for a word, that speaks on a theme that is, timeless" to borrow lines from my very favorite, Neil Diamond. Your life is a, living parable. A visual for those seeking The Kingdom in the midst of " hunger, fire and sword." You are the enfleshment of The Invisible, The Ineffable. Your essential reality becoming actualized in though, word and deed, IS, the living good news without which the gospel for this "now", of The Now, will not, cannot be co-authored. That is co-authored by?? The Creative Spirit dwells in the tabernacle of your depths. What needs to be revealed, spoken, will bubble up as the truth. Not a truth that responds to the selfishness of the rich and powerful. 

      You are, a prophet for your time, and our age. As you are faithful to your gospel truth, "new heavens and new earths" will be revealed. These new dwelling places will not be cosy, or comfortable, otherwise your truth is not the truth essential for our day, and age.  Pray that, " all people, may not speak well of you." Your place(s) of Crucifixion, will be your temporary home, tomb. From, The Tomb Christ, burst forth, and a new  revelation, understanding of creation, the cosmos, had its genesis. Christogenesis, and, The Omega Point, are occupying more of our, reflective time. And ? "The not yet ,is pressing against the present, seeking birth." It will take a death, for that birthing to take place !!!!! The present is groaning, being in the throes of birthing pains. Where is the groaning, the birthing pains emanating from? The place of emerging new life ? A life, for whom there was no preparation?  A life, that was conceived in eternity, in the womb of The Eternal and is now ....? A new Gospel that will not tolerate being caged.  "Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth, and dies, it remains, just a grain of wheat, but if it dies.... ? Next time as you exit The Eucharistic Celebration, keep uppermost in your consciousness, these words of St. Augustine, " Be what you see, receive what you are." They are leading you, where ?

      " The Kingdom within, is NOT merely a hidden reality, waiting to be discovered, it is a living Presence seeking deeper expression, through the evolving human person, community, and evolving creation."

              Ever reflect on this reality, your life is a parable. A parable spoken by The Holy Spirit. All the Gospel parables are within you, waiting for your reflective attention. Rabbi Jesus proclaimed, " the kingdom is WITHIN, you. The Pearl of Great Price, has been entrusted to your care. Not as a possession to be hoarded, but.....????   May you reverence your, "parableness" !!!!! Gramps.             

 

        " The only true wisdom is, knowing , you know nothing."  Socrates.                                                                                         "Be willing to be a beginner, every single morning ." Meister Eckhart.

                                          " Now we see in a mirror, dimly." St.Paul. 

 Before this week I though I knew, nothing. After this week, I am CERTAIN now, I know nothing. What blows my mind is this, to more I respond to the invitation to accept, embrace, the fact that is, that in the reality of knowing, nothing, there is no better place that Joe can be. What does the commercial say ?" Nothing is , everything". I got plenty of nothing, so I am, blessed? Now if you get/got, anything out that exposition, you are a far better person than, I. Have you hung up, or just pressed a key "

        I have been blessed to have an evolving relationship with Meister Eckart for a number of decades. In his time he ruffled a few feathers, and was looked on with suspicion. Not over the recent decades, however. Now he is viewed with respect in the fields of Catholic Mystical thinking, and, get this, in the exploding field of quantum thought. That is so very difficult  to fathom, Quantum Theorists  and a  Catholic Mystic, from the 1440 A.D., being in  respectful dialogue. Needless to say, all the expression of appreciation is on the theorists side. What Meister wrote is being researched through more expansive, nonbinary lenses, than the narrow binary lenses used by those who sought to  condemned him. The dialogue between science and spirituality need not surprise us. This was Pierre de Chardin prophetic vision, in the early 1900s. What is emerging from the collective unconscious, and coming to consciousness de Chardin named it, the noosphere.We are all benefitting from this respectful dialogue, as we are being challenged to explore, an ever deeper understanding of the moment to moment reality of, reality. This exploration has led us now to be blessed with new lenses, leading to new discoveries. Discoveries that are, endless.  The Unknown, awaits in the, unknown.

         Nonbinary lenses reveal the deeper realities that were ALWAYS present. They had to be searched for. For eons Mary and Martha were looked on as two women united, yet very distinct, in a gospel narrative. Way back In the 1440 A.D. Meister must have rattled  the cages when he championed the teaching, Martha and Mary, are not two but ONE in the same person. He poured more fuel on the flames of astonishment when he championed Martha actions as being more mature. Space prevents me from quoting at length that pertinent quotes from his sermons. They are really worth the time investment. His radical approach was disturbing, back then. That approach as seen today is in lockstep with what Quantum Theory can offer us. The quantum lens reveals layers and layers of new knowledge, leading to new understandings, leading to....?  

 " What appears fixed and simple at one level may reveal hidden complexity in another.The seen is not the whole story. Reality resists being reduced to surface description."This is where the blessing and the curse of free will come into, play. So much transformative knowledge, food for your  awakening spiritual, appetite. So much is being offered ?? There is no good reason to languish in non-vivifying  spaces while all the time " New heavens, and new earths" are being offered to both you and I. I will miss the greater part of the unveiling. All who read this effort great challenges await, but so do exciting solutions. Be active not only in asking the question, be seriously involved in seeking, and searching  out physical and spiritual answers from that which already present, but where ??     

   I need to correct Joe. There is no new knowledge. The understanding has always been there. It's home has been the collective unconscious. New insights, evolving wisdom, are the triggers for these new transformative, life enhancing, "pearls of great price". Complacency, fear of change, deeper fear of the unknown, will keep us mired in the comfort of certainty, of the familiar. Take from this, senior, senior citizen there is no better way to confront the ravages of prejudice, and crass ignorance. Today's challenging questions demand new answers. These answers are waiting, "IN YOUR DEPTHS". So what are you and I being confronted with ? Fence-sitting is NOT allowed.  Can we take the chance that atrophy, will set in ? 

  " Gracious Spirit enliven again, the hearts of faithful. Enkindle and set ablaze the fire already tabernacled in those hearts. Awaken in all, the fiery response  demanded by the exploitation, of the powerless, marginalized  and all those who are so vulnerable, " the least of the brethren ". From The Via Dolorosa of 2026, cries come forth from, today's Incarnated Christ. "I, thirst". I thirst, that My inherent  dignity, as a incarnated human, being be recognized and restored. I especially thirst, that the wellsprings of mercy-full justice, may once again burst forth transforming the deserts,  of injustice, hunger, isolation, neglect into a  greening place of abundance. A place of overflowing abundance where I am, welcomed unconditionally, garmented, and fed abundantly. Veronica has again stepped forward. As her ministry was welcomed on my Via Dolorosa, it is no less welcome in those I suffer with, now." 

   In the nonbinary world, there is no, either/or. The Gospel narrative  reveals the contemplative Mary, sitting at the feet of Rabbi Jesus. Listening to the new wisdom, intended to change humankind. Martha is neck deep in all the challenges that are inherent in being a good hostess. It is getting to her. So she looks to their close family friend Rabbi Jesus to come to her rescue. I would like to think that she has already sat at Rabbi Jesus's feet at moved on. There is a time when it is essential that we move on from contemplation, into active service.  Fulfilling the challenges that Matthew 25 is forever offering.A spirituality that does not lead to active ministry is very suspect. It becomes a possession to be selfishly hoarded, and eventually lost in destructive ,egocentricity. "What you keep, you loose, what you give away you keep" is a very uncomfortable teaching. " The truth will set you free, but first is will tee you off." Active ministry without the grounding of prayer, is destructive. It evolves into ego boosting, rather that a sacrificial, Christ centered way of ministering to today's suffering Christ. We must keep Simon of Cyrene, and Veronica always before our eyes. "Not for our admiration, but for our imitation.  Finally, yes finally, " Pray like everything is up to, God, but ACT like everything is up to, you". Balance ??? Weird word coming from an Irish person. May all the blessings, wished by  Irish mothers, be yours in abundance. Gramps.

  

 

  " Christ, is not Jesus's last name, Christ is a Universal Reality" FR. R. Rohr O.F.M.                                          "The age of nations is past. The task before us now, if we would not perish, is to build the earth." Chardin.      " Concepts created idols, only wonder comprehends, anything." Gregory of Nyssa,

" The sufferings of the present, are not worth comparing with the glory

        that will be revealed in us."    "All creation is groaning as in the pain of childbirth." Romans 8.

 The false self is saying, and has been saying repeatedly, " enough of the @#%@**** it is time to sit back, put your feet up, get a great cool drink, and vegetate." Why ? Here Joe is, retired, and is working harder now than he ever did, in the seminary. With Pope Francis at the helm, and now with Pope Leo pushing all the right buttons,  a transforming energy has been generated. From sitting and relaxing in my LazyBoy comfort, I have become so enthused about the challenging transformative messages, that are forever on The Catholic Conveyor belt. This endless flow of compelling insights, and challenging exhortations  are triggering excitement and  hope in the lives of many, but anger, despair, and resentment in other lives. I pity the Poor Pope, who is charged with the shepherding of all. The atmosphere in the sheep pen is a little, tense !!!! The competing bleeps, can be so bleeping, disconcerting !!!!! 

     We are,  actually physically living in Kronos time, a long way from The Calvary reality, the dehumanization, of crucifixion event. Yet!! not really.  The spirituality of the present moment is revealing   we are, NEVER, Absent. Absent, yet present, paradoxical language ? Paradoxical language stretches us. Stretching is pain-full. Ego, the false self wants no part of that reality.  It is, ONLY in the fantasy, illusional,  and in world of denial are we ever, not, encountering, The Suffering Servant.  Acceptance is the key that unlocks the door, labeled, Fear-Denial.

Where are you, right now, in your theological,  sacramental  understanding , of the spiritual reality of The Crucifixion ? Is it being seen as a past unfortunate event, with no connection to the present, lived reality ?  A tough question, right ? Makes you think about pain, unbelievable suffering, crass dehumanization, and your Kairos understanding ? The Kairos moment is the eternal now moment, finding life, reality in your here and now. This is your deepest ,reality. This is where, The Divine Reality is again,  Incarnated.  Where you are, Bethlehem , again is !!!!!   How are you celebrating this, Christmas Day, where The Paschal mystery is also a reality, to be discovered ?  Reflection on this paradox will continue the revelation of both your dignity, and destiny. This paradoxical reflection will vivify  your eternal journey of awakening into, " Who it is you are ? Who it is you are called to be, and Who it is, that is doing the calling ?" You are not just a, statistic. A blip in the heartless algorithm, which now appears to control, every thing and every one ?  The human influence is completely absent. Now, take the time to reflect the awarenesses that are bubbling up from the collective unconscious. Please  make it reflect your deepest honest, awareness of the reality you are  being sacramentally immersed in. Mysteriously leading to transformation, and transfiguration.  Paul reminds us, "that which is given, is NOT for ourselves, but for the building up of the common good."A practice that will challenge, the many, and encourage all the good samaritans.Bless you.

This blog, Aisling on Earth, is intended, NOT, to give you answers. It is to encourage the reader to ask  new questions, so that, the new, possible, will emerge.  We must always be aware  of being in the process of awakening. Awakening to the answer that has always been, clouded, but the clouds are disappearing.  That which lives and lies within becomes for you, what ? You are never taught anything new, you are only  being awakened to answers that always within and are now bubbling up into new and challenging awareness.  Awakening  to your unique dream, your Aisling  is a process. Take it from this senior, senior, fellow companion on the journey. 

  Aisling is the Gaelic for, dream. There is a great reservoir of Aisling poetry in the history of Ireland. Aisling poetry was the poets answer to denial, exploitation,  persecution, and dehumanization.They dreamt about what was possible for the inhabitants of Ireland , despite the horrendous, draconian Penal Laws. Now add to that the Genocide of the mid 1800s, this begs the question, how did the Irish survive. Not only survive. There are 40,000,000 people, that claim Irish heritage, at this time. St. Andrew The Apostle was founded on a dream, in the 1986. What would happen, if you joined the Spirituality of Imperfection, with Incarnational Theology, topped off with wisdom, gleaned from, The Twelve Steps. They were dynamic components, leading to the acceptance of the unconditioned, unlimited,, unrestricted Loving embrace of the all, by, The All.

    Spirituality can be summed up in Paul's words, " What is seen is transitory, what is unseen, lasts forever." What you do not see, but can intuit, is the life you are fundamentally called to, discover. Once you are allowing the process of woken-ness to be recognized, and the innate challenge, even reluctantly accepted, will. result living the life you have been called, chosen to live in. This chosen-ness is an essential part of the universal creative plan. A plan that finds its foundational, creative energy, in The Creative, and Creating, Spirit. We are, today, being awakened, to the evolution of creation. This is the creation we have been chosen to live. Not as passengers, or spectators but are co-creators of this evolving cosmos. Those words revealing to you, your "co-creator" choosiness, is leading you where? Horizons????

    We must be forever guided by The Wisdom and The Power of The Risen Christ. The living and life enhancing Love of The Cosmic Christ, is a gift we are just beginning to  recognize and process. The Resurrected Cosmic Christ reveals, death in all of its forms is NEVER, the answer. An answer accepted by the many who suffer needlessly. As we embrace this reality, all these Paschal Moments, are gifts intended to deepen our understanding of one of the most fundamental of paradox. Paradoxical living, IS, the spiritual life. What we see, is not really,  what is. We must be given new lenses, so that "new seeing" may be ours. New insights into the depths. and those new vivifying realities, will be the engine that will lead to " new heavens and new earths".   We cannot look to yesterday's answers, for the solutions to, today's questions. The challenges offered by Pope Leo, quantum theology, the insights offered by quantum theory, as it looks at the challenges innate in a healthy spirituality will encourage a blossoming. " Not my will, but Your will be done" is saying, yes, to, The Unknown. Your, Aislings will revel what? Awaken, be aware !!!