Grace

The Second Vatican Council did happen, even though there are well meaning members of the hierarchy and laity that act as if it never was a reality.  Like all councils, called by the Pope in session, it had the guidance of The Holy Spirit.  What happened was under the guidance of The Holy Spirit, no matter which way we may want to cut it.  For those who deny, or actively work against those reforms, and the evolving theology are not "Building up The Body of Christ. They are, to put it bluntly, warring AGAINST the workings of The Holy Spirit.  The fear-full actions of those who wish to "reform" the previous reforms are adding nothing to the well being of our church, The Mystical Body of Christ.  They are, despite their good intentions, making the growth of The Body more difficult in a world that is so diametrically opposed to all that of the authentic teaching of the Gospel.  The demands of the Gospel are such, we are always coming up short.  We have to face our own limitations on a daily basis.  Despite our best intentions we have to face the fact, The Real Gospel imperatives are too, too much.  This is where the miracle of grace comes in.  Thank God, our Gracious Father-God sees into our hearts, and at least sees our willingness to become, even though at present we are not, the best bearers of the Good News.  This willingness is enough for God.  Once we show our willingness, grace takes over, and we are in for the ride of a lifetime.  We become what we desire, so be WARNED.  We are setting ourselves up for hard, demanding, tough work.  A work which by ourselves we cannot accomplish. On top of that we have to face the outside enemies, who are conspiring, with all like minded forces, to oppose by any means necessary the coming of The Kingdom.  With the coming of The Kingdom, their kingdoms of "power, property and prestige" will have to go, but not without a fight.

 

Celtic Lament

My ancestors, the Celts.  My Celtic heritage, and all the gifts it bestows, has become more and more of a presence over these last number of years. A presence that was absent, sad to say, for many of the previous years.  I now have to admit, confession is good for the soul, that the lack of my understanding of Celtic Spirituality, resulted in unnecessary pain, and sorrow.  My pain and sorrow was of necessity, felt by others as well.  For that I am heartily sorry.  Everything, at that time, was either black or white. There was no willingness to understand the baggage of personal journey, with all that it brought to each person. The imperative to see each person, as a person to be listened to, not some impersonal object to be judged, was a gift that was coming.  Thank God, the new Spirit which came with the Second Vatican Council was The Spirit of kindness, understanding, and compassion.  The reforms brought us back to a new, and a more vibrant, life giving, understanding of The Mystery.  The Mystery revealed in the life, and ministry of Jesus, who became The Christ, was none other than, The Living Father-God of the same Jesus Christ.  We were introduced to the historical en-fleshed, oh so human Jesus.  In this human Jesus, it was revealed the fullness of The Divine One.  If I was to know The Unknown, and Unknowable, all I had to do was to immerse myself in the reality of The Carpenter Shepherd from Nazareth. That was 50 years ago, and it is only now I am becoming more and more aware of what was being offered at that time.  The proclamation of that Good News has continued over years, but not without opposition.  The Gospel proclaimed in its purity, always finds opposition.  The Gospel it appears, only thrives in opposition.  The persecuted church is the spiritual healthy church.  Look at history and see when the church has been most vibrant.  A vibrant faith flowers in persecution. That is so true for our individual faith journey as well.

 

Bromides that work part 4

One day I got into a real panic when I realized so much of my life was not being lived in honesty. I was really living a lie. (The book "People of the lie" may have had something to do with that.)  So I called Tot and shared my fear about my inability to be honest. Here is what he said "When you are being honest about your dishonesty, you are being honest!!!" That was what I held onto for a long, long time. To be really honest, up until this moment!!! There is "cash level honesty" and "feelings honesty."  We Irish have real trouble with honest feelings. Food and booze are real great facilitators in the prevention of real honest sharing.  Learned lessons are hard to unlearn. "I believe Lord, help my unbelief/disbelief" has been my bromide of choice.  I ask The Lord to help "my unbelief" on any ordinary day. "help my disbelief" when I am in the place of powerlessness, fear, uncertainty etc. and see no obvious way out.  Prayers have to be repeated, and repeated, until they become the automatic response to the challenges we face daily!!!

 

Bromides that work part 3

"Out of the depths... I cry unto you O Lord, Lord hear my prayer," is my go to bromide for my journey made, one moment at a time. Did you see the blank "….."? Well that is there for me to surrender something I have no way of dealing with, by myself.  It can be "out of the depths of my fear, self hatred, toxic guilt, shame, insecurity, anger, resentment, loneliness, abandonment, woundedness, just to mention a few, they are my constant companions, that I pray.  The more honest I am with where I am at, the sooner the feelings of well being are there for my consolation. If we do not pray from our place of honesty, nothing will happen.  We have to pray from our real truth, no matter the language used.  If we are faking it, so as to look good, and acceptable, we are not living our truth, then Truth Itself cannot connect and answer our cry." Feelings are the language of God to the soul" so wrote John of The Cross.  Sadly we have to grow into honesty. Honesty is progressive.  It takes a great deal of hard work to be really honest.  We must have a source, an atmosphere of hospitality, openness and welcome to encourage us take those initial baby steps into real honesty.

 

Bromides that work part 2

We in The Wisdom of our Creator have been chosen to journey into the midst of tremendous uncertainty, triggering all sorts of insecurities.  We do not really know what is going to happen to our world, to our society, to our friends and ourselves.  This I have had to learn in the hard school of experience, "You move forward into growth or backward into safety."  We have a great desire to be safe, and dwell in a safe place. Our home is usually accepted as that safe place of safety and security, but sadly not for all.  We all however have to create, under grace, a place of welcome and hospitality within our own depths.  We are more willing to go deep, as we are told that in that same depth The Holy Trinity, that is The Family of God, has chosen it to be Its dwelling place.  Our journey is to join them in the celebration that is a constant for us join.  We do not know the way.  All that is necessary is the desire to be connected, and united.  How that is going to happen is none of our business.  That is our faith journey, which is a journey into Mystery.  It is also a journey into raw naked fear. What helps me, and I have shared this many, many times, is listen to Cool and the Gangs, "Celebration."  There is endless celebration happening and we are always invited to that part "going on."