" 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 !!! 

       

                       " YOU ONLY AS FREE, AS YOU ARE WILLING." Anonymous

      " The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, compassionate towards       " all His works. The Lord lifts up those who are falling..He raises up all who are bowed down."

     " We live life looking forward, but understand life, looking backwards." WOW !!!!! "' How often am I to read that quote ?" you well ask. Until something new bubbles up from the unconscious layers of my being, or I read something better, for now, you are unfortunately stuck with it. We have just completed the 250 anniversary of The United States proclaiming independence from the oppression, and exploitation, inflicted on the majority of the inhabitants by the, occupying exploitive forces.  Freedom from oppression,  would result in,  FREEDOM. Yes !!! Freedom, for all. That was the ideal but the reality of achieving real freedom for all, was slow pain-full, fear filled evolutionary process. The process has hit a rather large bump in the road, and we are all suffering because of it. "If, one, is not free, then, all, are not free". 

     St.Paul reminds us of the connectedness that is present in The Mystical Body of Christ. Would I be correct in saying, that the current understanding of "entanglement" can possible lead to the same conclusion. Have you been aware of the  blossoming mutual admiration society that is developing between Quantum Theorists, and Catholic Mystics. What deChardin purported in the early 1900s is now becoming a reality. A reality that is leading to the explosion of new insights, new revelations, all leading to a deepening understanding of the sacramentality of all, that is all, no exceptions, that is real, in our home, we call the, cosmos. The Cosmic Christ is the Original Life source of  that is fruit-full and essentially,  good. Of your essence you are good. So your joy-full, vivified life, becomes the sacrament of The ever-creating Cosmic Christ. Your daily renewal of your commitment to be this awe-filled sacramental presence is essential for the ideals of the spiritual, and physical worlds to be slowly realized. The opposition to your acceptance, willingness will be fierce. You will find the opposition funded by powerful corporate executives of tech conglomerates. Add to the opposition is the unknown power of the Algorithms, who are guided by responsible, social and spiritual, truths. 

     Then there must be someone who will have the courage to speak truth to power. They are those who have been chosen for the very dangerous, risky vocation, of being prophets. Do not look around so as to identify a prophet, just, wait for it, look in the mirror. You, YES !! you are by your  very existence are a prophet. In The Sacrament of Baptism you were anointed prophet.  Anointed," as Christ was, as prophet, priest and king" so the Rite of Baptism proclaim. Baptisms were a great opportunity to reinforce the Baptismal call to serve. In the above quote, your contemporary job is described for you. Read it again so s to become very familiar with your current job description as a member of The Mystical Body. Quantum sees no one existing in disconnectedness, there is that power-full word entanglement. Research that word. Make its truth be a driving force in your life of service. The way you love yourself, is the way you love others, and allow them to love you. Now the big one, ready, the way you love yourself, is the way you ALLOW The Gracious to love you. A love you cannot earn, deserve, or qualify for. Unconditioned Love really takes the pressure off, so do not impose any obligation to, qualify. There is no qualifying test. Love, grace is the essence of fredom. In the Bestower and the recipient. Yes, is that which enables !!!!  The ego, the false self hates that truth. When you are free, you become a very dangerous presence, in the world that demands conformity, and obedience. Have you ever breached conformity ? Good for you. Those scars are battle wounds, through which mercy-filled Love enters.....??? What are you learning, about the ways of Mystery ???

    As you reread the above quotation, wherever you read the word Lord, place your name in it's place. From what has been posted, your essential dignity is to be the living active sacrament of, Lord. That essential sacramental dignity is yours. This has been yours from eternity, and is now being realized in time. You are to be gracious and mercy-full, first of all to yourself, then to the people that WILL BE PLASED IN YOUR PATH OF LIVE. The challenge is to be a life giver, NOT, a death dealer. Look around and make yourself aware of ALL the ways your fellow companions are being deprived of the essentials of life of life. What they are experiencing is mere existence, where abundance of life is their real destiny. 

  Gracious, is a word that is not commonly used in America. I was brought up with it. When a person is gracious, that  person is kind, courteous, and compassionate. Research the word, compassion, and begin to own and accept the responsibilities, and challenges in making their inherent realities in poorest of the poor. Those who are being dehumanized by the senseless acts of those have, only temporary power. When that power no longer exists, then there is "hell" to be faced, endlessly. They have created hell on earth, for those for whom The Gracious Creator has a fundamental desire for, His People, to be loved as they have been loved from eternity. Remember all of us have been present in Womb of The Gracious one. There we were, one. So....???? Before you hang up, Joe will say, thanks.

        

                                       " TUST IN THE SLOW WOORK OF GOD."  deChardin.                                                                                                              "                                            " His love, doe not allow Him to be indifferent to us." Pope Francis.  

                    " The dark valley, is held within, a creative, Presence." Anonymous.

      " The rhythm of renewal challenges us to live each and every day, being converted." Anonymous.         A " cead mile failte," to you all. Us Irish, while being impossible to understand, are a very generous people. We greet you with, "100,000 welcomes." That is my greeting to you, because we have NEVER met, or encountered each other before, this moment. On the one hand you may have NEVER met or reflected upon the reality of Who it is you are, Who is it you are being called to be, and Who is is that is doing the calling. Who it is you are, in this awe-full sacramental moment, is essential  for you to be grounded in the reality, in which makes you available to the gift of, Transforming Power. To quote Paul, now, is the acceptable time when all that is essential for a life that is, happy joyous and free is being gifted, as present, in this present mysterious, moment. As it was, so it is, and ever shall be. 

  Then you have never met me, before. You have never met me, as I am, right now. Since you read this effort last, Joe has encountered Reality in a way, never experienced before. Because of that encounter Joe has been changed. Changed into ?, he does not know The Who it he is becoming. Faith in the Mysteries of Incarnation  and Paschal Mysteries and  tells Him, all was experienced," In Him, Whom all live,  move, and have their being." To add to the mystery, "We who have been buried with Christ, will rise with Him, to become , a new creation", in today's understanding, a Christic Presence. All of which "we can only see dimly, "I Cor. 13:12. Christic Presence, is the ongoing manifestation of Christ within, creation and humanity. No wonder Pope Leo zeroed in on " Magnificent Humanity." After becoming conversant with the encyclical what are your thoughts ? What were the challenges you accepted as the  what actions you are going to be responsible for? What is contained in the quantum world of thought that reinforces your eternal vocation, as being co-creators of the ongoing evolution ? There are no mere observers in the field of quantum physics ?

  This blog is ONLY intended to be the STARTING point of your personal research on all the developments  occurring simultaneously in the evolving, fields of mystical thought, and quantum thought.  We must be immersed in the education necessary for knowledge of the evolving relationship between, the though of the mystics, and,  todays quantum explorers. In the deepening of the respect between the two schools of evolving thought and research, a new horizons, have appeared to be explored. The journey to horizons has no, ending. Once you have reached what was thought to be a horizon, was a stopping place, on the way to the next horizon. To go from one horizon to another, is not a straight line. One has to leave the pinnacle, and start the journey down to the next horizon. That involves the entrance to the dark valley. From the deep darkness of the valley experience, new Light begins to shine. Light that will not only lighten the way, but be experienced as, Light,  that transforms, leading to transfiguration. Then you will fulfill your destiny, as being, "light to the nations."

          Our lenses must be constantly tweaked by, The Ultimate Optometrist.  This  Gentle and Compassionate Optometrist, will make certain we are  gifted with the inner sight, to as to see all that we need to see, not what we necessarily, not, what want to see. What will determine the reality we will be empowered to see, is already waiting for us, in, Gospel revelations. Revelations, that must be reflected on again and again. In the spiritual life, nothing is instant, or at least, almost nothing. Our new way of acting, will of necessity lead to a new way of thinking. These reflections can lead us to the dangerous territory of not conforming to the accepted social norms. Norms intended to strengthen our belief in, the deadly gospel of, "power, property, and prestige" aided by addiction to " control, comparisons, and competition". (I am indebted to fr. Rohr for these insights.) 

    Actions  taken, that are contrary to accepted norms come under deep, inimical , viewing. The Prophets life has not, nor will it ever be easy, safe, comfortable. The Sacrament of Confirmation, is the channel through which the special graces, necessary for the fulfillment of Prophet's challenges are channeled. Paul reminds us,"we will never be tested beyond, our strengths." I repeat  my mantra, " Gracious Spirit. Prodigal Father, you really have more faith in Joe, than Joe has in, himself".  "Out of the depths of my power-less-ness, and fear, Lord, hear my prayer. May the dark valley not swallow me up. May the journey carry and lead me through the darkness into a life, celebrating the transforming gift of, Light. 

   A Light that will light the way into a more faith-filled life of being beloved, daughter/son." " I believe, help my disbelief/unbelief." In the moments of enlightenment, freedom, and gratitude : " Out of the depths of this place of believing in being the beloved, I offer my prayer of thanksgiving. Please remember, if no able, write down, " Gratitude and resentment are mutually, exclusive. You will occupy one reality, or, the other. Practice, practice, all this effort is challenging each individual, to be and become. Your becoming has cosmic dimensions. We do not have an an existence lived in isolation. We are social beings. Just like The Trinity. They live in a communion of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Their Reality slowly emerges and is understood as our reality. "I believe help my, unbelief/disbelief." The more one comes to know, the deeper the struggle with The Not Known.

-          " Nothing, is everything." Current TV commercial.

        " In Your great kindness answer me, with your constant help...for bounteous is Your kindness." Ps. 69

 " Either we see Christ in everyone , or, we hardly see Christ in anyone. Either we are Christ to everyone,                                                                      or,                                                                            or we cannot be Christ to, anyone." Richard Rohr. 

                      '     " Humans, must remain subjects, not data, objects."  Pope Leo X 14.

WOW !!!! WOW !!!!! I am blown away. I have been complaining for eons now, that The Gracious Divine Spirit needed a better public relations company. Now I am so impressed at the current efforts to get The Good News out, Out, for all to see, so all are challenged to sit up, and take notice. Mission accomplished! First, we Received, Pope Leo. Now time, and time again we now see blared across our T V"s " Nothing, is everything". That has been the objective of this effort, when we are in the place of nothingness, we are blessed with, Everything. Remember, " the trinity", that leads unerringly to freedom,  silence, emptiness, and yes.....nothingness."  This " trinity", which will lead us the much desired state of being,  FREEDOM. This journey into mystery, is essentially the same journey that must be taken as when we are being slowly drawn into The Supernatural Mystery of, The Holy Trinity. I have spent my whole life being led into an ever deepening awakening, yet, The Mystery, lives in a field, that lies, beyond. It looks like TV has had an awakening to, the mystical ???? Great to have this constant reminder, "The All, is in all", forever this will be. The Nothingness of The All, is becoming for you... ????? 

      In the last effort Joe "attempted" to delve into The Mystery of The Marriage Covenant. People do NOT enter a contact, they enter a covenant. This covenant is intended to replicate the covenant of old, between The Prodigal Creator and His people. We, the people of The New Testament are immersed into a New Covenant, this covenant has been revealed by The Creators only son, The Prophet Jesus. He, The Eternal Word became The Christ, through His journey into what we call The  events of The Paschal Mystery. In Christ the covenant  of old was not just  renewed, but transformed to reflect not the Enforcer,  The Punisher, The mercy-less judge of The Old Testament. The depth of meaning of New Covenant , we awaken to. Is it more proper to say, we, through the workings of The Holy Spirit, Grace, are gradually awakened to the wonder of mercy-full Infinite Love, in action ???

        There is nothing instantaneous in the formation necessary for in-depth transformation. After transformation we are then privileged to participate in transfiguration. "By this will all humankind know you are my disciples, I your love for one another". The other, to be loved, is NOT to be of our choosing. Christian Nationalism is a prime example of the rejection of this commandment. Ultra-humanism, is the hellish destiny of the rejection of the non-transactional covenant, grounded in mercy-full, infinite Love. A love whose sole purpose is to heal, soothe, comfort, strengthen, protect, transfigure and transform. Trans-humanism is the desired path, but not in any way attractive to the false self, "the small self" (Rohr) Pope Leo emphasizes that all human beings must be the treated subjectively, not objectively. ( These words I was introduced to in 1964 and still delving into their essential meaning.) As the wisdom of, Vatican Two, began its revelation. Revelations that were opposed then, and find vociferous opposition in these present sacramental times. We do not have the choice of being spectators to the will full opposition to the workings of The Holy Spirit. Church Councils are always guided by,"The Spirit of Truth, The Holy Spirit"

       To reduce the mystery of all humanity, and all creation to the workings of an algorithm is absolute dehumanization. Once dehumanization takes place, then exploitation can be readily accepted, and acted upon. When are the consequences of dehumanization, and, the consequential exploitation going to be honestly dealt with? It is going to hit the bottom line of course, power brokers are collectively not ready for this radical sacrificial  Step.  Active opposition to dehumanization is a  truly radical gospel step. To have a beginning, all it really takes is to activate the power of, ONE.  Open person brave enough to take one step. It is past time for " the ones" to exert their power. Minneapolis is our "poster child". The people of Minneapolis challenges all, " Now you go, and do,  likewise". " We showed the way. It can be done. 

    I find the words of Fr.Richard, O.F.M. stunning and challenging. They carry a challenge that appears so very difficult, to our isolated, self-centered selves. We are not self-centered, we are, Self, energized. We are now, Christocentric, connected to The Body of Christ, as a limb is to a vine. Christ, in His farewell message, gave this reassurance " You will NOT be orphans." We, in all of our depths are Tabernacles, were The Presence Of The New Advocate is to be discovered, and a vivifying relationship developed. This dynamic relationship when we respond freely, to the sacramental grace of each sacramental moment. In The Sacrament of The Eucharist the gift, of the actual Body and Blood of Christ is  offered, made available to us. True Love is not forced, nor can it be forced. We are endowed with that very dangerous gift, of, FREE WILL. What is offered Sacramentally must be accepted in freedom. We are bound all together in a Covenant of Love. We know that freedom is of the essence for a  healthy, Love to exist, and evolve. Love of Its Essence is creative. We do not always succeed in doing the right thing. Have no fear.  The Good Shepherd seeks after those who have wandered away, strayed. Not strayed beyond The Sight of,  The Persistent,  Seeking Shepherd. When we cannot make the return because of our wounds, we are gentle hoisted on Broad Shoulders, and carried home. What a homecoming that is.

   We will be caught, gentle in the net of His Compassionate Love, and merci-fully  brought back to a deeper union. One never appreciates what it means to be found, unless one has the frightening experience of lostness. We are brought home, and begin to know that home, for the first time.  What a transforming spiritual experience, which demand of us, reverential silence. So Love is free to flood, the emptiness. We do stray just once. It is the human experience. We are all perfectly imperfect. We are  forever locked  in a covenantal  love. Love, that is  of Its Essence Infinite ,loves us with a love that is " patient, and kind, does not take offense, and is not resent-full." The Good Shepherd always sees Himself in the tabernacle, situated in our depths. A Presence is, never lost, nor cannot be lost. As John reminds us, " It is not that I love God, but that God loves us. Not that we give love, but that we accept,  Love". Again, and again and again. As we are reminded by Popes " The Giver never gets tired of giving. " The problem, lies in the fact that we get tired of, asking." Ask, ask, ask, never loose Hope." Hope never, fails." We do not think our way into new of acting, we act our way into a new way of, thinking". Me thinks !!!  I have reached for , and pressed the button, STOP !!!!!!! Blessings.

                                                                                    

   " There are cosmic plans and Divine designs  far greater than our particular griefs                                                                                                          or current irritations." Kathy Coffey.                               " There may be  tears during the night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5                                        "The unique face of Christ is, the, ikon, but every human face is                                                                                                                 an, ikon of, Christ " Catherine de Hueck Doherty.

        " Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is facing a pivotal choice, either to construct a       new Tower of Babel, or to build a city in which God and humanity dwell together." Pope Leo 14. 

                " Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be, lived ", has to be one of my most often  used quotes. Yet, in the constant repetition of those words, something very unexplainable happens. Each time there is an awakening to an emerging truth, and the evolution of though, of mysterious origin. This leads to this evolutionary understanding ,  the totality of human beings, as well, as all that has been created, or will be created, finds its origin is The Womb of Mystery. That is why you find yourself to be an, insoluble mystery. This does not prevent all from gradually surrendering, to the, " drawing in". This is a workable description of what is sometimes seen as, cosmic human destiny. There is no individuality, in the cosmic consciousness. So we of our essence are mysterious. As the above quote reminds, we are not, THE, ikon of Christ, we are, AN, ikon of Christ.  So when you check yourself at the mirror, Who is it, that is looking right back ?

    How often have we herd describing another as, a "very mysterious person". Those few words are supposed to describe that which is indescribable. People married for a long time, readily admit, "the longer we are married, the less I seem to know about my partner." She/he is becoming more and more of a mystery. BINGO !!!!That was a reality I always made an attempt to convey to couples that were preparing for The Sacramental Celebration of, Matrimony. The forthcoming sacred, mysteriously human actions  was  going to be  celebration of, the sacrament, of their evolving love. In every now moment, of each  lived day  there is a constant awakening. Awakening  the couple to the awe-full realization It will continue to evolve, that evolution will always be guided by The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is The Power that guides all creation, plus each and every act of, creativity. 

       That celebration of the sacramentality of their love, is often celebrated within The Eucharistic Celebration. That celebration is THE great celebration of an essential mystery. "Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again" Each couple will be challenged to accept the reality of they, in their unique mysterious togetherness, are already immersed in, The Paschal Mystery." ( It seems we can never shake the reality of The Paschal Mystery that is waiting, to be awakened to, in all the reality we encounter. Not just meet, encounter. What is  being triggered within you, bubbling up from the depths ?)) Every human face, is an ikon of Christ", we must never stop there. The two people facing each other, that are to be seen in their essential reality as, Christ, not meeting Christ, but encountering Christ. In their bed, Christ will sleep with Christ. In the celebration of the sacramentality of their sexuality,  the sexual encounter is in reality The Body of Christ, is, both given, and received. This  encounter is to be seen as the essence of The Sacrament of The Eucharist. Eucharist is first encountered in your bed. Then there is the eucharist, around the kitchen table. Then all that is brought to be shared and celebrated in the communal celebration of The  Eucharistic Sacrifice, and, Sacrament. Now, to where does, " the Priesthood of The Laity lead you to?  Remember these very old, old, chestnuts: "Liturgy, is NOT, a spectator sport." " You are going to be, IN, the celebration, NOT, at the celebration". Joe,  WOW, it has been a long, long time !!!!!  

       The single person, must also delve deep into their actuality as being, The Body of Christ. They are the tabernacle, the dwelling place of The Holy Trinity. They do not sleep, ALONE. The Father, Brother, and Spirit are to be discovered in the sacramental reality, of each moment. Alone, with The Holy Spirit as guide, the single person is offer no distraction from their unique experience of the sacrament of silence. Silence, IS, the Creator's, first language. What unique sacramental gifts the moments of silence are. Being alone, with, The Alone is the precursor to mystical awarenesses. Awake or asleep ??? Sleep brings in contact, with a reality we wish to avoid. We can do so in our waking hours, but asleep we enter the realm of the archetype.  We are told that our dreams are our deepest reality. A reality that can be denied while we are  conscious, but sleep removes all obstacles. Reality breaks through, but speaks to us in metaphorical language.

  Did you know breakfast, originated in Ireland ? The Irish of old, used to sit around the table in the morning, to share the dreams that inhabited, their just experienced, sleep ? That would take awhile. Us Irish, we are known to stretch conversations into epics !!!!!! You who have been reading these effort ? This is a given !!!!!  Us Irish, are dreamers. The Irish word for dream, is "aisling". This efforts comes under the heading, " Aisling, on earth " For us, The Beloved's creation,  is the reality  within which where we are to live that dream of being," happy, joyous, and free". We are doing our best, most of the time to screw it up. This blog is intended to help us not be saboteurs of, The Prodigal Creators dream. " All creation is charged with the grandeur, of God." ( Hopkins).   How is breakfast celebrated in your, " little church of the home ?"  Even on, weekends ? Does the Holy Spirit need to be gifted with more opportunities to be what The Spirit Has always been, our, CO-CREATOR, of all emerging reality.                Blessings on all the efforts to make each moment, sacramental. Gramps.

   " Catholicism, is a thinking person's, religion." G. K. Chesterton

        " The Risen Christ, continues to take flesh, in a living body." Anonymous.

    " AI, might imitate meaning, but it does not suffer, love, repent, or wonder." The New Yorker. 

     "Humans must remain subjects, not data objects" Pope Leo, X14

 

 As I was reflecting on these days, and these times I was hit by this unsettling thought, all reality, all of humanity is being hit by a tsunami. That meant very high and destructive waves. Have the experience of being in one, is beyond my experience. Living in this desert, it is very safe to predict, my experiencing a physical tsunami is preposterous.In is even the nightmare That shall never be mine. Oh! Oh!, Joe you said that awe-full word, never. I may never fall asleep again !!!! We have been in a spiritual tsunami. Wave, after wave of awe-filled, mysterious laden grace has hit the shores of all, human souls, all humanity. It is up to each one to unpack the personal impact that has occurred,  and  is currently shaping our thinking and behaviors. "As we think. so, we act" do you find any existential truth in those words ? Nothing is going to change communally, unless the is change in the foundational cell. This is where you, are the designated, hitters. So let us go, faith-fully.

       One, of the many spiritual tsunami wave we have experienced , lead to an ever deepening journey is into the encounter that happened on the road to Emmaus. That reality, is our reality today hidden in the right now. Most of us can relate with the thinking of the two disciples. They had tremendous expectations, but the reality of Calvary, changed all of that.  ( Remember expectations are PLANNED resentments )They were disheartened, a discouraged as walked, and talked. Then without the being aware of it, the Risen Christ, full-filling His role of being Good Shepherd mysterious wove His presence, into their existential reality. Then through formation, and participation in The Eucharist, their doubts were transformed into new, and enthusiastic belief, which motivated them to, action. This resulted in they sharing their transformational experience. Are you responding to the awakening being offered, in these sacramental moments ? The mystery of Emmaus, right now. What awakening ? The awakening to the reality of, " as it was, so it is", to day and every moment we are gifted with.  Is faith-filled living to be our chosen destiny, or will we surrender to the safety, and security of the non-challenging, non-threatening, familiar? We again return to the insidiousness, of complacency. Uncomfortable ????

I was a body surfer in my younger days. As you joined the other surfers, in waiting out the best approaching wave, you listened for the magic words, " outside". As you looked out here was an approaching wave to be entered into, and surrendered to the outcome. Sometimes it was a short ride. Sometimes you got caught in a pretty violent run, ride, to the shore. Then sometimes you looked around and in the interest of self-preservation, cried, "Where is my, boogie board." then I found myself turning, and heading back out, to join the waiting welcoming community. On the way out I would duck and swim under the smaller waves. In the waiting there was no ability to touch sand. You were really supported by the power of the ocean. This is the first time, I have ever reflected on, what I am awakened to, as  a mystical, graced experience. Turning around and going back out, was the power of grace working. The AI would keep me on the shore. Leading to this challenging thought, grace is circular, the AI is linear. Well what does that mean ?

      "Grace is circular. Grace operates  as a continuous, flowing current that endlessly returns to renew, sustain and expand. Grace is an ongoing cycle of receiving, transforming, and giving back." The mysterious element in all of this, grace is not bothered with stumbling and falling. Our ego driven false self is. The false self has tremendously, powerful weapons at its disposal. The toxic trinity,  comprising of guilt, fear, and shame. These have been dealt with previously, so, in the interest of time, let's move on. Why ? The Feasts of,  Paschal encounter, Good Shepherd, Christ The King, and Corpus Christy offer us such deep insights as we celebrate each feast. They are repeated each year and each year due to the circularity of grace. Each year we are OFFERED the graced opportunity to return to be further renewed in our depths.. We are again uniquely graced  with The Gift that offers mysterious sustenance that sustains us for immersion into The Unknown, and Unknowable. Combined by the graced tsunami of the above feasts, we find we are experiencing expansion. We are now, the living body chosen, from eternity, to be the enfleshment of The Risen Christ. 

We are now longer just individuals. We are no longer valueless objects, to be used, abused and set aside when we no longer have  temporal, quantifiable value. According to who, according to some inanimate, feeling deprived algorithm. This decried by Pope Leo. Where will this transformative understanding, find support ? How will it be promulgated?  By whom will it be embraced and championed?  It will take those with lives who first of all are messy. Messiness, and the more messy the better. It will be lives who are are not confined by rigid formulas. It will be lives who are reluctantly committed to, at first, non binary thinking. It will take brave individuals who are responding to the prophetic call of, Confirmation. The call to be soldiers of a new, vibrant, vivifying army who are prepared to risk. Risk the disapproving looks and shaming words of those  fragile security, based on ego, will be threatened. Lives built on ego, are built on a dangerous, destruction  prone foundation, like it is built on shifting sand. They are curated lives.
   Are what ? curated lives, bolstered by self centered, egotistical lives. Lives that have chosen a lifestyle that is, carefully, selected. Constantly being polished within non binary safety, all for ? All for public display. The gods of" power, property and prestige " (Rohr) are worshipped with assiduous care, and supreme attention. The insatiable god of perfection is in close proximity waiting its turn for reverential, and preferential, supreme ,undivided, attention. No deviation is allowed. deviation from the prescribed way of thinking and living leads to physical, and, or, psychological abuse. The lives finding existence in this hell are truly life-less. We who have chosen, and have chosen to respond we through "radical grace" come to believe and accept a startling reality. It is the reality that without  equivocation states we, are The Body of Christ. NOT somehow like in some way. No, like, we just, ARE. The read, deal.

 Mysterious, through the continuous action of grace, we are the contemporary. Corpus Christy. Meaning what ? We called to be, as Christ was, " chosen, then taken, blessed, broken and given". The Risen Christ, present in the consecrated host, of Eucharistic Presence,  the ritual breaking is essential, so the destiny of Risen Body may be fulfilled.  Being The Living Body of Christ our lives of their essence cannot be curated. This reality we grow in acceptance of. That has been, and currently my story. This effort is the sharing of that story. In the sharing the existing pain is somehow lessened. Freedom is never free. We have to respond to grace, and freely accept the invitation to chose healthy physical and spiritual actions, that can lead only to ever deepening  freedom. Living lives  replicating  the life The Beloved Son, in a a contemporary, alien environment. The chosen, are called to see the reality behind  and beyond our moments of rejection, dejection, abject failure, moments of repetitive falling,  alienation, and betrayal, a mysterious life, whose existence is slowly revealed through the challenge of, acceptance. 

  This happens through that familiar word, yes . We are constantly called to repeatedly repeat, that yes. This is a ye grounded in and through an ever evolving faith. This faith generated acceptance  leads us to see  deep beyond what the critical, and judgmental see. These eyes do not see that behind and beyond the unmentionables of  family, church, and society a miracle of grace is occurring. Transformation and transformation is now operative, where before there was, perceived failure.   Grace, the workings of The Creative Spirit, does not happen without the cooperation of each, pre-uniquely chosen and gifted human being. We are not a human being carved out of stone, we are evolving human beings, been awakened to the essence of, Who, it we are. The linear abilities are impotent, dis-connected from connecting with inner reality, so with Real Reality ?? The non-binary way of seeing and acting is, the chosen way, of The Chosen One. We all are His  Body, his reality, is his way of living in the process of our way of seeing and acting ? The question is asked, the answer is revealed in living, authentically. The tsunami of grace, does not leave wreckage. At those moments of grace, have gifted you with ???  Being the contemporary,Body of Christ has led where? Curated lives frustrates to working of grace. What is the resolution to act, have you been led to make ? Proclaim your gospel. A gospel that will alleviate so much of the current sufferings, of The Body of Christ.

          The Feast of The Holy Trinity, 2026.

     " Nobody escapes being wounded, we are all wounded people." Henri Nouwen.

       " Come to, Me, all you who labour, and are overburdened, and I, will give you, rest.... learn from                                                                             Me, for I am gentle.....and you will find rest."Matthew 11 28:29.      

  " Yahweh, Yahweh, God of tenderness, and compassion, slow to anger, rich in faithful love and constancy ......please my lord, come with us, although... an obstinate people" Exodus 34

 WOW !! WOW !! with the passing of each Sunday, we are truly being immersed in the true depths of who, we are, Who, we are called to be, and, Who, it is that calls us... ENDLESSLY... We are, to say the least, "standing in high, cotton". Now we have to take the time to chew on, masticate  this steak we are being fed. A metaphorical steak , but steak. This is not pablum. Pablum is for children, adults need steak. In deference to the vegans, in my poverty, this is the best, Joe, can do. ( I wonder have I lost some readers?) I am also able to fall back on St.Paul for support. He pointed out there was a right time for pablum, but, there was the time when pablum must be set aside. I am told babies do not welcome the change. There is a part of us that will never accept or enter change willingly. We love control. We love certainty. The spiritual journey is all about surrendering control, and embracing, uncertainty. WOW!!! This is so easy to write about, the practice ? Well that is another matter altogether. Reflection, or top of your head comments ??????

     Our basic, really challenging reality, is the fact we are facing very adult challenges. ( Just read that the war with Iran has resumed. The insanity of war is in full display for our, lenses) To enter the real reality with hope and confidence, we must be consciously connected with an endless  source of nourishing adult food. When we are consciously connected with,The Source, a homecoming, is being experienced. Enjoy !!! In the reality of coming home, we will be constantly, nourished. Prodigal love will be operative,  in every moment, and step. I believe, help,  my unbelief/disbelief. We will be led to the discovery of a well  from whose depths refreshing Water, is in endless supply. 

   It becomes an unsettling reality that nothing happens without our cooperation, and  This, YES, will connect us to and with The Source. Yes !!! a conscious yes, is an essential requirement. We must do our part. Yes, we must do our part.  This results in us being strengthened us for the moment to moment battles. We are never alone in the battle, the struggle. Mysterious nourishment, will make us resilient in challenging times. The mystery of grace, we will become slowly connected with, in very mysterious ways. Ways that will slowly become, the ways of a faith journey. All journeys are unique.

 In the pantry, of our depths, there is  stored there all that we need. There is nothing missing. Fear may distract us from the depth of that truth. Our false selves abhors this truth. That is why we have to respond to the invitation " to launch, into the deep" with an ever deepening faith. Evolving, Faith in the Ones Dwelling there, there in the pantry of our depths is a Community of Lovers. A community of dynamic, always empowering, Love. They are sometimes known as, Our Source of Origin, our Brother, and Lover. The key to the pantry is entrusted to us through silence, emptiness and nothingness. 

Those Indwelling in our depths, are not, strangers. Strangers are those people we have never met. The Trinitarian Reality is our original home, a home in which we can never be strangers. We can never  loose our belonging. Neither can our Family connection be ever be denied us. Yes !! there will be efforts, intense efforts at that, to somehow shake or confidence in the covenant. A covenant providing us being  grounded in tenderness and compassion. Because of its Source of origin we are grounded in infinite, tenderness, and compassion. This does demand an ever deepening commitment to an endless exploration, and reflection. Here we will find the rest we so desperately need. WE ARE NEVER, FIXED. It is not promised. This is the source of so much turmoil, as we go on our unique way. " Expectations are, planned, resentments."

  The giving can never stop."It NOT that we love God, but that God loves us. Not that we give love, but, that we accept Love" Saint John. Being the "disciple that Jesus loved", he had to know something about love. As John was loved, so are we, all of us. There are no exceptions. Religiosity, binary thinking can be obstacles. St.Peter  once remarked," God shows no partiality." A great place to stop, for now. Gramps !!

 

    

                      

                                                                  PENTECOST....2026. 

                 "It is possible, to live your whole life, and die, without ever having met the person,                                                                                      

                                                                                                      that lived your life.  (Thomas Merton) 

                "I Am, here, I Am, here, to the people, who not even invoke, my name."  Isiah 65:1. 

        We are being invited to celebrate, on this Pentecost Sunday, the ending of the Lent-Paschal Mystery celebrations. It is also looked on as the birthday of The Church. Happy birthday, now, lets go to work. We the ending of The Lenten-Paschal seasons, we are entering into the Liturgical Season, misnamed, Ordinary time. Misnamed in my very limited estimation. We have completed the official celebrations of The Lenten-Paschal celebrations, now we are going to enter into a real challenge. I suggest the following , how are we to be sensitized so as to have the lenses to rediscover, in so-called Ordinary Time, the Eternal Mysteries that have just been the focus of celebrations. To become gradually sensitized that in the so-called ordinary is the extraordinary. The mysterious !!! As we are gradually initiated into those above mysteries we will be somehow mysteriously  introduced to our who we really are. Not only who we are,  but Who is it we are called to be, and Who has done the calling.    ENDLESSLY !!!! MYSTERIOUSLY !!!  Darkly !!!!! What a birthday present to open !!!!!

  This endlessness will allow us to get to know who is that person, we are journeying with. Who are The Three Mysterious Presences that are indwelling within our depths, waiting for welcome and recognition. This is not easy. We will be in a constant battle with the false self, "the small self"(Rohr). It will take deep faith and reckless courage. The daily entrance into this battle means,  We will not be numbered " those  frightened and timid souls, who know, neither victory, nor, defeat"( Roosevelt.) There are mysterious happenings in store, as we grow into acceptance we will enter cautiously a mysterious journey. Resulting in  us being gradually initiated into the mystery of who we are, and Who The Divine God is. The Person hidden in our personhood, is The Eternal  Triune Mystery. This is not a journey we can take on our own behest. We may erroneously think we are doing all, because we are willing it. That is when we are in egocentricity. A very dangerous, and deceptive place of apparent, existence. Not real, reality. Facing that illusion is our life long challenge. Because of our limited humanness, we need help from The Supernatural. We receive the preternatural gifts of Faith, Hope, and Love. The Gracious Creative  Loving Spirit does "look on us in our lowliness", and showers on us  with endless mercy-full transforming, and transfiguring  grace. That is why grace is another way expressing how Love acts. Love in action, IS, grace.

Pentecost Sunday was the Sunday when The Holy Spirit, hidden in tongues of fire, fulfilled a promise, made by Rabbi Jesus. Remember how He said, " I, will not leave you orphans. I will send you another Advocate." Pentecost is the fulfillment of that promise. The Divine, IS, always true to the promises made.  Hope in the promises of The Eternal, never disappoints. Takes a great deal of soul searching to work through what we are to call, name, apparent disappointments. ( What are the  mysterious promises made, you are seeking, and searching for ?  If I may, may I suggest the bromide, that is my go, help, I dire emergencies " Come, Holy Spirit come."  Facing the darkness of uncertainty, " Come, Holy Spirit come and fill the wounded, and hardened heart, of this faith-less one." Been working for DECADES now. That now, includes this sacramental, now moment. 

 The disciples we just a gathering of scared, and disappointed individuals. With, and because of the actions of The  Dynamic transforming Power they became an enlivened, transfigured community of Faith. They willingly went forward, and in their fearlessness, and so the transformation of the cosmos, began. We have to constantly remind ourselves we are the bearers of all that transpired on that Sunday, eons ago. For this you have been eternally chosen. For this challenge you have been uniquely formed, gifted. For this challenge we are eternally strengthened, by a Power. A Loving, creative and creating Power Who has chosen our depths, to be The Tabernacle of Eternal Light. That Light can never be quenched. That Light can never desert us, no matter, the deserts, we are drawn into. This Light is always seeking to lighten the darkness, with a Light, that may, and is suppressed, opposed. The Light will penetrate all darkness, and reveal unending mysteries. " I believe, help my unbelief/ disbelief." 

  When I was growing up in Ireland, it was The Holy Ghost Who was found to be in our prayers. The Holy Ghost had the dubious distinction of being called, named, " The forgotten Person of, The Blessed Trinity.' WOW !! what a change The Spirit has experienced in recent decades. The Spirit has engineered a real transformation. Love, we are told is of its very nature creative. Are we now surrendering  more and more to that Creative, and Creating Love. Not because we want to, but because of Truth we have to. These uncertain times demands we have some source of certainty in this, our most challenging existence. The Christ did envisage this for us. He said " I have come that you may have life, and have it to the fullest." Existence is not our destiny, "fullness of life is". So, Joe, do you want to share your journey of discovery,  from the daily fight for existence, to the living of life to the fullest. From  the  place of merely eking out   existence, a terrifying place to be, to be blessed life that comes from, "living life, on life's terms." 

" Living life, on life's terms" demands the deep immersion into The Paschal Mystery. I have been told, and am learning, as I am being schooled in the hard school of experience,  that there is a great similarity between what my destiny is and the making of colored Easter eggs. The egg is not dipped just once into coloring. It is dipped again and again. Each Lenten-Paschal season we are  dipped and dipped. Metanoia is the resulting gift. A deep change to the direction of our present choosing happens. We are graced so as to have the power to leave behind some impediment to authentic living. Then into the void created, a new way of being is, graciously and unconditionally, gifted. This gift awaits,  discovery. Just like the next effort ???  The power of The Resurrection lights a fire.                 In Paschal love. Great gramps. 

   

 

                                                          

    Whatever one sees, there are layers of mysterious truths, and meanings, hidden, in the darkness of the unknown.  As we journey into the unknown, we are brought into an ever deepening relationship with, The Unknown, The Unknowable. These truths, because of their newness and uniqueness, we are always in the endless process of awakening, and re-awakening   This process of awakening, and re-awakening, always leads to truths, hidden, waiting further  recognition, and endless action. This is mysterious process, is a challenge we are  always invited to plunge ever deeper  into. Whether we accept the invitation, or reject its newness, pregnant with dangers, and uncertainties, is the decision of our free will. Here, in this moment and in every is the daily confrontation with delirious effects of, codependency. This is the challenging, disturbing reality we are facing, many times unwillingly.

 Is there any body living a life, free, of the ravages of codependency, and its resulting destruction? Whether we surrender to the fears of the false self, or readily embrace the freeing, adventures of  the mysterious, is a decision not easily made. We need grace. "Of ourselves we can do nothing, we can do all things  in The One,Who strengthens us".  I am in endless need of this consolation," Be not afraid I am with you."These words of scripture  demand the constant need of repetition, speaking for this   spiritual being, immersed in the human condition. (DeChardin) The living within the  weakened human condition, has it ever been more challenging ? Our decision for reluctant acceptance, springing from this existential battle battle, the battle between healthy choices, and  the enticing, ego building, co-dependent actions that reveal, dis-ease.  Recognition of the depth of co-dependent behaviors is the first step  into the evolution of  a healthy, shepherd. We need a daily check on the death-dealing effects of codependency.What a blessing, and a curse, free will has turned out to be ???  Yet, that is the way we roll, as human, beings.  As it was,  is now, and ever shall be.....  Do I get an, AMEN ???             

 In all the pregnancies of our ever new awarenesses , there is the resulting birthing of  realities whose presences are slowly revealed. I am always amazed at what bubbles up, and when it bubbles up. I find deep truth in the bromide," You are getting what you need, NOT, what you want". Paired with that is, "want what you have, and you discover you have what you, want,"  Gandhi's  unsettling wisdom, " God takes care of our needs, not, our greed." Our codependent selves demand the fulfillment of our every desire, no matter how sick, unhealthy it may be. The shepherding of, The Good Shepherd awaits our willingness, to willing to enter,  what ? The Graced Unknown. We are the  lambs, sheep, and shepherds, of a flock,  chosen. Chosen when ? Not the day of conception, of birthing, our "flock-e-ness finds its origin in The Eternal Now. Mystery ever abounds.

  Eternity is our origin and destiny. We are being shepherded  by and as The Chosen Beloved, so our journey, of its essence, will  not be easy. During our journey, we will be used to continue the revelation of a Reality, never fully understand, or comprehended. This is heavy stuff ? Very mysterious, is one way to attempt to describe our journey as lambs, sheep, and shepherds. Remember we can NEVER solve the mystery, we are drawn ever deeper into the mysterious. With each journey, new awarenesses  seem to bubble up. Whether welcomed, or un-welcomed,  they are there to be reverenced, to be accepted.  In the gradual acceptance, there comes a unique challenge. Today we are faced with the moment to moment challenge of being, both prophetic shepherd and flocks. The call to be both shepherd and prophet is the emerging challenge we have accept. See how extraordinary well the people of Minneapolis has modeled this. What price they paid for faithfulness ???  Like all vocations there must be an ongoing formation. Being led from the known, through threatening storms of change , to the emerging newnesses of understanding is ? Write your answer ?  My answer is not your answer. Your answer is not mine. In the exchange of truths there is mysterious happenings.All designed for our ongoing formation, and transformation. ENDLESS, ENDLESSLY !!!! 

A prophetic, non-codependent  shepherd has the challenges of double duty. As was mentioned previously, the shepherd has to be shepherded. He must be seen as belonging to the flock, as well. As shepherded,  so will the shepherd, shepherd. " He who has not been in the desert, cannot lead others, out of the desert", is a startling truth that really challenges. What are your experiences of loss, failure, rejection, humiliation, darkness, abandonment ? How have they been welcomed, owned, embraced, and accepted ? What work, what nagging, uncertainties ,  are still  awaiting the transformative power of The Resurrected Christ ? We are are endlessly blessed (??), with emerging formation ,for the existential challenge. How, through, what concrete steps is the shepherdness of your being,  being,  shepherded ? Love, prayers and blessing. GGJ.

 

         

" I am my beloved's, His desire is only for me. My Beloved is mine, and I am His." Song of Songs.            " The soul is always stretching forth into God, never exhausting, The Depth." Anonymous.             '' The Christ Mystery, is, a universal pattern of death and Resurrection, in all creation." Fr. R. Rohr.

As we are continuing on the path, of exploration and belief in The Inexhaustible Paschal Mystery. This is the  hard reality we have to face in every existential we will never exhaust The Depths, the Darkness, into which we  are invited to plunge.  The endlessness of this search can, and will be exhausting.  That is why we have grace. grace reveals the consoling realityWe already  have the consoling, assurance, " Of ourselves we can do nothing, but, we can do all things, in Him who strengthens us" The quote, "faith is a journey into uncertainty, not certainty" " If we think we are on the right path, then we are on the wrong path." At times, we will be challenged, by the awe-fulness, of the unsettling feelings that are to be  encountered, as we plunge the depths. We are  never alone. I am The Beloved's and He will never desert, or abandon me. He cannot, He has to be faithful to His covenant. "I am, with, with you, until the end." So, "Fear not." Also, let us always be conscious of how Jesus, encouraged His frustrated Apostle Peter, " To cast his net into the deep", the result was ," a miraculous, catch of fish." There are, as yet unknown depth of wonders, always waiting for us to be lead into. We are told this adventurous plunge into the depths, of the unknown, we eventually encounter, Unknown Presence. In, The Silence, Emptiness and Nothingness we discover our intended home, The Way !!!! It is a journey into radical surrender. There is no step that can accomplish this. Oh, fiddle sticks !!! Our destiny is a gradual  reluctant surrender. Our seemingly innate attachment to avoidance, illusions, and above all, ego. will result in endless war, leading to temporary mystical revelations. Revelations,  that upon reflection, makes the strife, the battle so worthwhile. If you find anything consoling and nourishing. the my journey, up to this nano second ,has not been in vain. Thank you, for your constant  participation, ever leading to a deeper immersion.

Easter Sunday, The Day of Resurrection, was also the day when the now Transformed ,Transfigured Christ did not forget His promise of endless vigilance, care, and active concern. The Gospel accounts shows the Risen one, resuming His work as, Shepherd. He did not desert His fear riddled disciples. He Sought them out. Locked doors did not prevent His Presence from encountering their shattered presence. His first greeting  was the age old wish, "Shalom."  Not even the slightest hint of harsh judgement, or indication of retribution. Here He  provides the model for all generations to follow. Here He is the living model of being a good shepherd. The disciples do not need to be reminded of their need for radical change. The Good Shepherd embraces their imperfections as a reality to face, in that concrete moment. In this acceptance of reality,  begins their formation in the challenging school of, shepherd-hood and shepherding. We have  inherited the moment to moment challenge  of allowing ourselves to be shepherded. As we are being formed, in the school of  mercy-full grace, so it will be the  model for us to follow. To follow when meeting the existential challenges of being good shepherds, Shepherding  the realities revealed in the action ofShepherding ourselves and those lambs and sheep chosen to inhabit, and participate in,  the Via Dolorosa with us. A sacred, mystical slog, at that ???? 

   The Risen Good Shepherd offers His disciples no harsh judgement, only the best of wishes,  for health and a new way of being , summed up in the  word ,"Shalom" ? As it was for those disciples, so it is for us in the here and now. The belief in the reality, that, we are beloved is leading you where ? Stand where your feet are planted and the result is ??(What feelings are being triggered within you ? Feelings of what ? Feelings that are not welcomed ? Because ? There are  endless challenges, and threats  being revealed ?)  Here The Prince of Peace is wishing all the best the of everything needed for health and spiritual wholeness. Seek out again the twelve radical blessings, summed up in that ever so common greeting. What is familiar demands  the most attention , so  thatthe depths of spiritual meanings, can surface into, consciousness, and ???  Now let us move on to welcome a familiar companion, who accompanies us, and we find hard to embrace, accept and love. The disciple who denied the good news, and offered conditions for belief.

 No ! On the other hand lets, not. Thomas and his disbelief, must wait for another time  In the meantime I wish all who wear the mantle of motherhood, a very,  very Joyous Mothers's Day. Is there any other vocation that reflects the essential meaning of being, good, shepherd? Who else models what it means to totally surrenders, to live a life  being a living sacrifice.  demanded by immersion into The Paschal Mystery ? Yes !! All women are persons of mystery, whose  depths and innate dignity is slowly being accepted, being validated . May the process continue, in spite of virulent opposition. Yes, sad to admit, there are future  fruit-filled experiences of Golgotha, to be endured. The wisdom resulting from the endless encounter with birthing and death  makes their life  eternally,  pregnant with meaning. May all are  surrenders, result in the birth of future Christ Children . All destined for the revelation of endless truths.  May these truths continue the revelation, first revealed in the life, death and Resurrection, of Mary's Christ Child. Speak, right now, and forever endlessly to The Mother Mary within, " Mary did you know ..........." Bethlehem and The Incarnation only finds is authentic  meaning from Calvary. Something to chew on, providing mysterious and endless......