Advent is quickly coming to a close. So let’s look at the prayers after Communion from the four Sundays in Advent. Be cause it is in these prayers that we petition the Father for what we will need to help us as we leave Mass and head back into the world to share the Gospel.
The First and Second Prayers read:
Father, may our communion teach us to love heaven. May its promise and hope guide our way on earth.
Father, You give us food from heaven. By our sharing in this mystery, teach us to judge wisely the things of earth and to love the things of heaven.
Again there is a difference in the first and second week prayers from the third and fourth. In these two prayers we are reminded of the fact that our gaze needs to be heaven bound. All too often our hectic lives can have us looking at what is immediately in front of us our next event that we need to be present at, but we cannot allow a hectic lifestyle to keep us from cooperating with Grace. We need to be responsible for the events that we take on, but we also need to be responsible for acting in manner that gains us access to heaven. That is why I like the prayer from the second week. By sharing in the Mystery of the Eucharist, teach me to judge wisely the things of earth and to love the things of heaven. I enjoy having an iphone, but I love God. I enjoy checking on seekholiness from the iphone, but it is time before the Blessed Sacrament that makes my heart long for the Beatific Vision.
The Third and Fourth Prayers read:
God of mercy, may this Eucharist bring us Your divine help, free us from our sins, and prepare us for the birthday of our Savior…
Lord, in this Sacrament we receive the promise of salvation; as Christmas draws near make us grow in faith and love to celebrate the coming of Christ our Savior…
As we draw near to Christmas the prayers start to become very specific. We are to recognize Christ and His action in our lives. It is important to know that He was born an infant, but it is also important for us to recognize Him in the Sacraments, specifically in the Eucharist. These prayers remind us of the fact that this encounter is transformative. That as we meet Christ our lives will be changed. We look to the Father to help us by separating us from our sins so that we love God all that much more.
As Advent closes keep your eyes and ears open in anticipation of encountering Christ!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Middle of Advent
The last two days have concentrated on how the Eucharistic Prefaces help us to understand the season of Advent and how the Church works with Scripture and Tradition at the same time for God’s revelation. Scripture and Tradition must also be part of our prayer life, so that as the Church prays the Church believes. We must pray as the Church prays, so that the beliefs of the Church become our beliefs.
So today we turn to the opening prayers for the four Sundays in Advent. The first and second prayers read:
All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good so that Christ may find an eager welcome at His coming and call us to His side in the kingdom of heaven…
Lord of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, that we may share His wisdom and become one with Him in glory….
The first and second Sunday prayers are directed to the Father and ask for what we need from the Father. So these Advent prayers are asking the Father to help us to be ready for the coming of Christ. Readiness in acts of charity, from the First Sunday, and the seeking of mercy from our sins, in the Second Sunday, is what Christ wants when He comes again. The Church wants you and I to be known as doing good acts and freeing ourselves from sin so that we can be ready for Christ in our lives. If we do not do both then we will repeat the Garden of Eden experience by hiding when Jesus comes. When we should be out in the open upon His arrival.
The third and fourth prayers read:
Lord God, may we, Your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving.
Lord, fill our hearts with Your love, and as You revealed to us by an angel the coming of Your Son as Man so lead us through His suffering and death to the glory of the resurrection…
The coming of Christ now is quickly approaching. We mark Christmas as the birth of Christ and put the infant in the manger, the prayers remind us that we are not to see Jesus just as an infant. The fact that He was born is to inspire us to want to cooperate with God’s grace and have an experience of God that is transforming. The love of God so touches our hearts and minds that Grace transforms them to be imitators of Jesus, so that we can experience God in heaven. The last two prayers of Advent remind us to see Jesus who sacrifices Himself, so that we can know eternal life. During the season of Advent the image of the infant is one of such great hope that we are motivated by God’s love.
So if we are trying to discern God’s Will for our lives then, the season of Advent asks us are we prepared for God’s coming. God does us a favor by helping us through His Church. So we know we should be doing acts of charity repenting of sin and working to be inspired to have our lives transformed by God. So as Christmas nears, how are we doing?
So today we turn to the opening prayers for the four Sundays in Advent. The first and second prayers read:
All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good so that Christ may find an eager welcome at His coming and call us to His side in the kingdom of heaven…
Lord of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, that we may share His wisdom and become one with Him in glory….
The first and second Sunday prayers are directed to the Father and ask for what we need from the Father. So these Advent prayers are asking the Father to help us to be ready for the coming of Christ. Readiness in acts of charity, from the First Sunday, and the seeking of mercy from our sins, in the Second Sunday, is what Christ wants when He comes again. The Church wants you and I to be known as doing good acts and freeing ourselves from sin so that we can be ready for Christ in our lives. If we do not do both then we will repeat the Garden of Eden experience by hiding when Jesus comes. When we should be out in the open upon His arrival.
The third and fourth prayers read:
Lord God, may we, Your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving.
Lord, fill our hearts with Your love, and as You revealed to us by an angel the coming of Your Son as Man so lead us through His suffering and death to the glory of the resurrection…
The coming of Christ now is quickly approaching. We mark Christmas as the birth of Christ and put the infant in the manger, the prayers remind us that we are not to see Jesus just as an infant. The fact that He was born is to inspire us to want to cooperate with God’s grace and have an experience of God that is transforming. The love of God so touches our hearts and minds that Grace transforms them to be imitators of Jesus, so that we can experience God in heaven. The last two prayers of Advent remind us to see Jesus who sacrifices Himself, so that we can know eternal life. During the season of Advent the image of the infant is one of such great hope that we are motivated by God’s love.
So if we are trying to discern God’s Will for our lives then, the season of Advent asks us are we prepared for God’s coming. God does us a favor by helping us through His Church. So we know we should be doing acts of charity repenting of sin and working to be inspired to have our lives transformed by God. So as Christmas nears, how are we doing?
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Further in Advent
Once we get to the third week of Advent we then pray the Second Advent Preface. It reads:
His future coming was proclaimed by all the prophets. The Virgin Mother bore Him in her womb with love beyond all telling. John the Baptist was His herald and made Him known when at last He came. In His love Christ has filled us with joy as we prepare to celebrate His birth, so that when He comes He made find us watching in prayer, our hearts filled wonder and praise.
The prayer of the Church reminds us of two key figures that is John the Baptist and Mary. Both of who are important role models for us in how we should be praying.
John the Baptist has three appearances in the Advent scripture selections. In the first week he is in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth. In second selection he is in the desert announcing the coming of Christ. And in the third selection he is in jail and sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the Messiah. We see in these three passages how we should be acting during this season. We should be searching for God. We should recognize that He is here and will come in glory. We should be leaping for joy when we have that encounter with Christ, as John did in his mother’s womb.
Mary is another role model for us. She is a harder role model for us to follow, since God kept her free from the stain of original sin. But we should realize that while the bar is higher God does assist us in a similar manner to Mary. We pray the Hail Mary, in which we acknowledge that she is full of grace. We need to realize that if we attend to the sacraments and a life in prayer that we are recipients of grace. Mary is a role model in another manner also. She is steadfast from the beginning in her support of the Father’s Will and in caring for Jesus, the Son of God. We should learn from her motherly love that made Jesus the priority in her life, that we must work to imitate that love. We must work to imitate that care and dedication in our own life.
As we move through the season of Advent, we should be working hard to prepare for the two comings of Christ, once as an infant in a manager and again in glory at the end. In order to be able to appreciate God in both of these encounters we need to be about God in our daily life.
His future coming was proclaimed by all the prophets. The Virgin Mother bore Him in her womb with love beyond all telling. John the Baptist was His herald and made Him known when at last He came. In His love Christ has filled us with joy as we prepare to celebrate His birth, so that when He comes He made find us watching in prayer, our hearts filled wonder and praise.
The prayer of the Church reminds us of two key figures that is John the Baptist and Mary. Both of who are important role models for us in how we should be praying.
John the Baptist has three appearances in the Advent scripture selections. In the first week he is in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth. In second selection he is in the desert announcing the coming of Christ. And in the third selection he is in jail and sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the Messiah. We see in these three passages how we should be acting during this season. We should be searching for God. We should recognize that He is here and will come in glory. We should be leaping for joy when we have that encounter with Christ, as John did in his mother’s womb.
Mary is another role model for us. She is a harder role model for us to follow, since God kept her free from the stain of original sin. But we should realize that while the bar is higher God does assist us in a similar manner to Mary. We pray the Hail Mary, in which we acknowledge that she is full of grace. We need to realize that if we attend to the sacraments and a life in prayer that we are recipients of grace. Mary is a role model in another manner also. She is steadfast from the beginning in her support of the Father’s Will and in caring for Jesus, the Son of God. We should learn from her motherly love that made Jesus the priority in her life, that we must work to imitate that love. We must work to imitate that care and dedication in our own life.
As we move through the season of Advent, we should be working hard to prepare for the two comings of Christ, once as an infant in a manager and again in glory at the end. In order to be able to appreciate God in both of these encounters we need to be about God in our daily life.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Preparing our Souls for Advent
The Season of Advent in the Church seems to be in competition with the world at large. The United States starts the celebration of Christmas sometime around Halloween, by putting out the decorations, playing music and encouraging everyone to think about the gifts they must buy. So when Thanksgiving arrives, the stores have us ready to think and buy in preparation for Christmas. We start Advent with black Friday and internet Monday. The world wants us to prepare for Christmas by making sure that the house is decorated and the gifts are purchased. The Church challenges us to make sure that are souls are properly prepared.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for His second coming. By celebrating the precursor’s birth and martyrdom, the Church unites Herself to His desire: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (#524)
I think that sometimes we have been aware of Jesus for so long that we forget about the two comings of Christ. The Old Testament seems in agony as it awaits the coming of God into the world. The Israelites are awaiting God’s arrival which is going to bring down the mountains, fill in valleys, bring water to the desert, make righteous all acts of injustice and punish those who do acts of violence or unrighteousness. They looked for an earth-changing event that was going to come from the sky. They waited with great anticipation and expectation for God to enter the world. So it is not hard to believe that they had a hard time believing in Jesus as the Son God, since He did not herald the destruction of mountains or fill in valleys.
And so what are we waiting for during this season of Advent? Are we merely going to celebrate the birthday of the Savior? That is not what we pray in the Church. The preface for the first two weeks of Advent reads:
The Church teaches and prays Advent is a season in which we join in the Old Testament longing for God coming into the world. As Catholics we know that Jesus was born an infant in a manager to Joseph and Mary. He did profoundly affect the world. He transformed us in Grace. He destroyed sin and death and offers us the opportunity of eternal Life. As Catholics we believe that some day we will look up and see Christ coming again glory to bring an end to this world and take those that want to be with the Father to heaven.
Since this is what the Church teaches and prays so let us make sure that our lives reflect that of the Church. As we prepare for Christmas, take time to buy gifts and plan what you might want. ALSO, plan to notice Christ in the world. Take note of Jesus in the Sacraments, in the Tabernacle at your Church and prepare to share in the joy of His triumphant return.
I think that sometimes we have been aware of Jesus for so long that we forget about the two comings of Christ. The Old Testament seems in agony as it awaits the coming of God into the world. The Israelites are awaiting God’s arrival which is going to bring down the mountains, fill in valleys, bring water to the desert, make righteous all acts of injustice and punish those who do acts of violence or unrighteousness. They looked for an earth-changing event that was going to come from the sky. They waited with great anticipation and expectation for God to enter the world. So it is not hard to believe that they had a hard time believing in Jesus as the Son God, since He did not herald the destruction of mountains or fill in valleys.
And so what are we waiting for during this season of Advent? Are we merely going to celebrate the birthday of the Savior? That is not what we pray in the Church. The preface for the first two weeks of Advent reads:
When He humbled Himself to come among us as a Man, He fulfilled the plan you formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation. Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours when Christ will come again in His glory.
The Church teaches and prays Advent is a season in which we join in the Old Testament longing for God coming into the world. As Catholics we know that Jesus was born an infant in a manager to Joseph and Mary. He did profoundly affect the world. He transformed us in Grace. He destroyed sin and death and offers us the opportunity of eternal Life. As Catholics we believe that some day we will look up and see Christ coming again glory to bring an end to this world and take those that want to be with the Father to heaven.
Since this is what the Church teaches and prays so let us make sure that our lives reflect that of the Church. As we prepare for Christmas, take time to buy gifts and plan what you might want. ALSO, plan to notice Christ in the world. Take note of Jesus in the Sacraments, in the Tabernacle at your Church and prepare to share in the joy of His triumphant return.
Friday, December 14, 2007
How do I find God?
God takes our humanity far more seriously than we do. God created us in His image and likeness. God wants us to be a reflection of Him. We should be people who want to reflect God in our own life. Many times we find ourselves relieved that God resembles us rather than motivating ourselves to properly reflect the Divine.
In order to know that we have heard God correctly we need to seek inner verification and outer verification. Inner verification is always a matter of subjectivity, so it seeks an outside verification to objectively confirm the communication. There will be two inner experiences that will always be present in the person: one is habitual inner harmony and the other is joy. This is not something that we produce, but comes from God’s grace, so it is supernatural. This joy and harmony is similar to when we do a great act of kindness for someone that we know they will enjoy, but the difference is that we know it is God and not our self. This grace leaves one feeling refreshed, calm with awareness in beauty, and a tranquil joy in God. Outer Verification comes from the official structure of the Church as encouraged by John’s letter (1 Jn 4:1-6):
Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.
In this passage we are encouraged to test the spirit. Notice how John uses the words “they” and “we.” He uses these words to show unity and community.
God communicates with us. But His message is ALWAYS in conformity with the totality of revelation and the official teachings of the Church.
In order to know that we have heard God correctly we need to seek inner verification and outer verification. Inner verification is always a matter of subjectivity, so it seeks an outside verification to objectively confirm the communication. There will be two inner experiences that will always be present in the person: one is habitual inner harmony and the other is joy. This is not something that we produce, but comes from God’s grace, so it is supernatural. This joy and harmony is similar to when we do a great act of kindness for someone that we know they will enjoy, but the difference is that we know it is God and not our self. This grace leaves one feeling refreshed, calm with awareness in beauty, and a tranquil joy in God. Outer Verification comes from the official structure of the Church as encouraged by John’s letter (1 Jn 4:1-6):
Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.
In this passage we are encouraged to test the spirit. Notice how John uses the words “they” and “we.” He uses these words to show unity and community.
God communicates with us. But His message is ALWAYS in conformity with the totality of revelation and the official teachings of the Church.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
What does God have to say to us?
God rarely says more than a little to most people, but He produces love, joy, peace, humility and purity of soul. Fr. Dubay, in his book Authenticity, gives us 9 clues to know when God is speaking to us. Here is what to look for:
1. God-Directedness – If we are immersed in God, then all that we do and consider will be done, so that we better relate to God. The saints are the most real people, since they have no deceptions and their real concern is their relationship with God. Psalm 25 reminds us to keep our eye on God. While Psalm 119 reminds us to seek Him with all our hearts. We need to constantly ask, “To what extent can I say that do all for the glory of God?”
2. New Love – We have agape love, which is being concerned for another for their sake. God produces a love that is no longer selfish, but is selfless. We see love that builds up others.
3. Cross-Asceticism – This is the supreme paradox of the Cross; it is seen as foolish by people but it contains the Wisdom of God. We are saved by means of the Cross, so those that suffer with Christ have a greater knowledge of Him. We will want to share not only in the joys, but in the suffering.
4. Frugality – We will find ourselves not accumulating more than what we actually need. We will not feel the need to fill our lives with things; it does not mean that we will not need material things, but the drive for them will not be present.
5. Uncluttered Freedom – We will be so concerned about God and following God that we will no longer be choked by the concerns of this world. Jesus speaks about this in the Gospel of Luke (8:14), “they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life.” The person who is hearing God experiences life, but is not overly anxious about it.
6. Sound Doctrine – God is consistent in His message, so when God speaks to us the message should be match with scripture and tradition. Jesus informed this to us in John’s Gospel (14:26), “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in My name--He will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you.”
7. At Odds with the Prevailing Spirit of the World – God has never been popular. We hear in the Prologue of John’s Gospel that the Word was not accepted by His own. If we are inspired by God we will be finding ourselves clashing with culture around us.
8. Unity – When we hear God we will want to be part of the community. While we will not be lost in this, for we will retain our self, but we will be a community, “of believers was of one heart and mind” as stated in Acts 4:32.
9. Obedience Freely Given – We want to be people who are obedient to God and those in authority. We will want this, so that we will not be led astray by our own thoughts and to safeguard the message of God.
While this might seem a long and involved list, if we are truly listening to God each of these points will be manifest in our life. This is possible not because of our virtue but by God’s grace motivating our whole person. If we can see these points in our life, then we should be secure in the fact that we are hearing God. If we are lacking in some of these, then we should work harder at repenting of sin and living in humility.
1. God-Directedness – If we are immersed in God, then all that we do and consider will be done, so that we better relate to God. The saints are the most real people, since they have no deceptions and their real concern is their relationship with God. Psalm 25 reminds us to keep our eye on God. While Psalm 119 reminds us to seek Him with all our hearts. We need to constantly ask, “To what extent can I say that do all for the glory of God?”
2. New Love – We have agape love, which is being concerned for another for their sake. God produces a love that is no longer selfish, but is selfless. We see love that builds up others.
3. Cross-Asceticism – This is the supreme paradox of the Cross; it is seen as foolish by people but it contains the Wisdom of God. We are saved by means of the Cross, so those that suffer with Christ have a greater knowledge of Him. We will want to share not only in the joys, but in the suffering.
4. Frugality – We will find ourselves not accumulating more than what we actually need. We will not feel the need to fill our lives with things; it does not mean that we will not need material things, but the drive for them will not be present.
5. Uncluttered Freedom – We will be so concerned about God and following God that we will no longer be choked by the concerns of this world. Jesus speaks about this in the Gospel of Luke (8:14), “they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life.” The person who is hearing God experiences life, but is not overly anxious about it.
6. Sound Doctrine – God is consistent in His message, so when God speaks to us the message should be match with scripture and tradition. Jesus informed this to us in John’s Gospel (14:26), “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in My name--He will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you.”
7. At Odds with the Prevailing Spirit of the World – God has never been popular. We hear in the Prologue of John’s Gospel that the Word was not accepted by His own. If we are inspired by God we will be finding ourselves clashing with culture around us.
8. Unity – When we hear God we will want to be part of the community. While we will not be lost in this, for we will retain our self, but we will be a community, “of believers was of one heart and mind” as stated in Acts 4:32.
9. Obedience Freely Given – We want to be people who are obedient to God and those in authority. We will want this, so that we will not be led astray by our own thoughts and to safeguard the message of God.
While this might seem a long and involved list, if we are truly listening to God each of these points will be manifest in our life. This is possible not because of our virtue but by God’s grace motivating our whole person. If we can see these points in our life, then we should be secure in the fact that we are hearing God. If we are lacking in some of these, then we should work harder at repenting of sin and living in humility.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
What do I need to do to be ready to hear God?
God gives gift to the ready and receptive person. We must prepare ourselves so that God’s Grace can stir us dynamically. Fr. Dubay, in his book Authenticity, has 10 suggestions to us to be ready.
1. The Humble Hear – In order to hear God we have to know it is an extraordinary event that happens because God wants to interact with us. We need to remember we need Him.
2. The Simple See – We need to know deep into ourselves that with God all things are possible. Most of the time we want to think some things are possible.
3. God gifts the humble with New Light – When we are simple we are able to rejoice in the joy of the Holy Spirit.
4. Conformism of Pride – We cannot be concerned with how others see us. We must know that God sees us with life-giving love. We must want to love God more than being concerned about appearing foolish.
5. The Humble Listen – A humble person listens well because he knows he has something to learn. A humble person must not be concerned with being corrected; a humble person will not think they are automatically correct.
6. A Sign of Authenticity – This is a willingness to be sent by God. It is being obedient to God.
7. Listening & Correcting – We need to be people who are listening to God in prayer, but even more importantly in His written word, Scripture. When we really love God, we are willing to be corrected by those closest to Him.
8. Authenticity & Admonition – The authentic person desires instruction from those close to God, for he knows this will bring him closer to God.
9. Correction is NOT Optional – Correction can keep us from sin. Correction helps us to know the Mind of God. As a community of people united in love we should want to help each other and receive help.
10. Wisdom welcomes Correction – Remember that discernment for the saint is simple, while discernment for the sinner is complex. Being corrected can NOT be overstated. We need to adopt docility. We must always be willing to learn; we must always have a willingness to be taught.
1. The Humble Hear – In order to hear God we have to know it is an extraordinary event that happens because God wants to interact with us. We need to remember we need Him.
2. The Simple See – We need to know deep into ourselves that with God all things are possible. Most of the time we want to think some things are possible.
3. God gifts the humble with New Light – When we are simple we are able to rejoice in the joy of the Holy Spirit.
4. Conformism of Pride – We cannot be concerned with how others see us. We must know that God sees us with life-giving love. We must want to love God more than being concerned about appearing foolish.
5. The Humble Listen – A humble person listens well because he knows he has something to learn. A humble person must not be concerned with being corrected; a humble person will not think they are automatically correct.
6. A Sign of Authenticity – This is a willingness to be sent by God. It is being obedient to God.
7. Listening & Correcting – We need to be people who are listening to God in prayer, but even more importantly in His written word, Scripture. When we really love God, we are willing to be corrected by those closest to Him.
8. Authenticity & Admonition – The authentic person desires instruction from those close to God, for he knows this will bring him closer to God.
9. Correction is NOT Optional – Correction can keep us from sin. Correction helps us to know the Mind of God. As a community of people united in love we should want to help each other and receive help.
10. Wisdom welcomes Correction – Remember that discernment for the saint is simple, while discernment for the sinner is complex. Being corrected can NOT be overstated. We need to adopt docility. We must always be willing to learn; we must always have a willingness to be taught.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
What did You say, God?
How do we fail in hearing God? We fail to hear God for many reasons, but here are three reasons. The first reason is the challenge by God to rid ourselves of sin. Before we can share fully in His goodness we must rid ourselves of that which blocks our full communion. It is only when we have a habit of confessing our sins that we are freed to savor more of the Divine. The second reason is the ability to misunderstand or misapply the valid inspiration from God. Because the message is supernatural and is being given to a created being, there is the real possibility that we can fail naturally in our intellect about how to proceed with the message. The third reason is the problem of illuminism; this is becoming so fixated on a truth that we lose the ability to put it into context of the Church’s teaching, in fact, we may foolishly leave the Church because we think we have greater authority. So the problem is not just that we fail to hear God because we allow sin to block us from God, but that we could correctly hear God, but fail to properly understand His intent and meaning, Which will lead us into a wrong action.
In order to hear God correctly we need to know how He speaks to us. Scripture is full of examples of God speaking to individuals and to communities. We need to remember that we will experience God as Divine and not as another human. We should not be expecting a tap on the shoulder or a whisper in our ear. The Catechism tells that that contemplation “is a gift, a grace. (2713)” It is the Supernatural coming into contact with the natural; therefore it is a dynamic event, that elicits a number of responses in us.
Thomas Dubay, in his book Authenticity, outlines three types of communication that come from God:
1. Assisting Enlightenment – This occurs while meditating and it is a lesson taught by a teacher, who is God. This knowledge is usually beyond what is found in books.
2. Independent-Identical Speaking – This is similar to the first, but can come at anytime. There is a very real danger for deception with this method.
3. Dynamic Effective Speaking – This locution from God is active, which means the Grace takes responsibility for producing the desired effect. This is the desired communication because the responsibility belongs with God to make the effect active.
When God speaks creation leaps and is transformed. So when God speaks to us it graced event. Listening to God is a whole body action, we must assist the process repenting of sin and seeking humility. These actions will help us to hear God and allow Grace to better motivate us.
Fr. Dubay said it best:
Discernment is incarnational. It has an inner element and an outer element, not just one or the other. Inspiration of the Holy Spirit does not substitute for faith or hierarchy. Problems arise in history when authorities stifle the Spirit or when people who think themselves led by the Spirit cast aside the hierarchy. Subjectivity demands the direction of objectivity.
In order to hear God correctly we need to know how He speaks to us. Scripture is full of examples of God speaking to individuals and to communities. We need to remember that we will experience God as Divine and not as another human. We should not be expecting a tap on the shoulder or a whisper in our ear. The Catechism tells that that contemplation “is a gift, a grace. (2713)” It is the Supernatural coming into contact with the natural; therefore it is a dynamic event, that elicits a number of responses in us.
Thomas Dubay, in his book Authenticity, outlines three types of communication that come from God:
1. Assisting Enlightenment – This occurs while meditating and it is a lesson taught by a teacher, who is God. This knowledge is usually beyond what is found in books.
2. Independent-Identical Speaking – This is similar to the first, but can come at anytime. There is a very real danger for deception with this method.
3. Dynamic Effective Speaking – This locution from God is active, which means the Grace takes responsibility for producing the desired effect. This is the desired communication because the responsibility belongs with God to make the effect active.
When God speaks creation leaps and is transformed. So when God speaks to us it graced event. Listening to God is a whole body action, we must assist the process repenting of sin and seeking humility. These actions will help us to hear God and allow Grace to better motivate us.
Fr. Dubay said it best:
Discernment is incarnational. It has an inner element and an outer element, not just one or the other. Inspiration of the Holy Spirit does not substitute for faith or hierarchy. Problems arise in history when authorities stifle the Spirit or when people who think themselves led by the Spirit cast aside the hierarchy. Subjectivity demands the direction of objectivity.
Monday, December 10, 2007
What is Discernment in Hebrew?
Discernment for the saint is simple, while discernment for the sinner is complex. Fr. Thomas Dubay wrote this in his book Authenticity. I think if you want the best advice on discernment, then read this book, but realize it is a wrestling match that will stretch you and hurt you. Over the next couple of days I will roughly outline the book.
Discernment is a most perplexing exercise. We proclaim that we want to hear what God has to say and we even think that we want to follow what God has planned for us. If only He would speak with more force, if only he would call me on my cell phone, if only he would text message me the answer. We listen and we strain to listen hard, only to tire and return to our normal life frustrated that God did not speak to us. And yet we probably wasted a great deal of time and energy listening to God in the manner we want and under the circumstances we want.
If you look in scripture for discernment techniques and tips, you will not find them under discernment. You must use the word authenticity. The meaning of this word is getting to the mind of God. It can be further defined as not being false in appearance, but instead being true and as God would see us. A genuine person is one who measures up to Jesus, but is humble enough to know who he actually is. The main problem with discerning God’s will is that we are not humble enough. And we live in far more error than we want to admit. We are a people who are prone to sin because of our fallen nature. While baptism forgives us of original sin, it does not remove the stain. We live with the stain of sin every day of our lives.
Sin causes us to do one of three actions with a message that we receive from God. First, we will take the message as Gospel. Second, we will allow the message that we have received to be separated from what the Church has taught. Third, we can take the message an exaggerate beyond the intended message.
An example is that we think that some particular gift we have been given by God dictates what should be done with our life. For instance, if I have the gift of memory I may believe that this dictates that I become a lawyer or a scientist; certainly God would not want me to squander this gift in another vocation. I could believe that, with an aptitude for medicine, I could better spread the Gospel as a doctor rather than as a religious. We are people who want to help God, but because we are fallen, we have a natural tendency to want to choose how this “help” is accomplished.
We need to be people who know the origin of our thoughts, inclinations or desires. Then we need to be able to evaluate if a given course or action seems to be of God or not. Because of the stain of original sin, we can find ourselves in the midst of sin. So the more honest we are with ourselves, and the more humility we have, the better we can cooperate with God’s gift of Grace.
Discernment is a most perplexing exercise. We proclaim that we want to hear what God has to say and we even think that we want to follow what God has planned for us. If only He would speak with more force, if only he would call me on my cell phone, if only he would text message me the answer. We listen and we strain to listen hard, only to tire and return to our normal life frustrated that God did not speak to us. And yet we probably wasted a great deal of time and energy listening to God in the manner we want and under the circumstances we want.
If you look in scripture for discernment techniques and tips, you will not find them under discernment. You must use the word authenticity. The meaning of this word is getting to the mind of God. It can be further defined as not being false in appearance, but instead being true and as God would see us. A genuine person is one who measures up to Jesus, but is humble enough to know who he actually is. The main problem with discerning God’s will is that we are not humble enough. And we live in far more error than we want to admit. We are a people who are prone to sin because of our fallen nature. While baptism forgives us of original sin, it does not remove the stain. We live with the stain of sin every day of our lives.
Sin causes us to do one of three actions with a message that we receive from God. First, we will take the message as Gospel. Second, we will allow the message that we have received to be separated from what the Church has taught. Third, we can take the message an exaggerate beyond the intended message.
An example is that we think that some particular gift we have been given by God dictates what should be done with our life. For instance, if I have the gift of memory I may believe that this dictates that I become a lawyer or a scientist; certainly God would not want me to squander this gift in another vocation. I could believe that, with an aptitude for medicine, I could better spread the Gospel as a doctor rather than as a religious. We are people who want to help God, but because we are fallen, we have a natural tendency to want to choose how this “help” is accomplished.
We need to be people who know the origin of our thoughts, inclinations or desires. Then we need to be able to evaluate if a given course or action seems to be of God or not. Because of the stain of original sin, we can find ourselves in the midst of sin. So the more honest we are with ourselves, and the more humility we have, the better we can cooperate with God’s gift of Grace.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Seekholiness Podcast: Stations of the Cross - First Station
Make the stations a part of your Lenten prayer.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Updates from the Holy Land: Seminarian Dave Schalk 2/6/07
Jerusalem is everything I expected it to be. Four weeks have passed since my last update, and the cause for the lapse has been the sheer fascination that this incredible city incites. Indulging in the wonder of Jerusalem has been my task for the past twenty-eight days.
One local Jewish woman commented wittily, “You’re on pilgrimage. That means you run where Jesus walked, right?” Indeed, the immensity of Jerusalem keeps a body moving, for there is simply so much to experience. Holy sites spring up around you on every side.
The Mount of Olives, the famous crag that sits east of the city, is a perfect example of what I mean. At its base is the Garden of Gethsemane where 2000-year-old olive trees decorate a small courtyard outside the Church of All Nations. The eerie dark blue interior of this church aptly sets the tone for meditation: this is the place where Christ was betrayed and arrested on the night before he died.
Adjacent to the Garden of Gethsemane is a property equally as alluring. This holy site, maintained by the Orthodox Church, is known as Mary’s Tomb. Here you descend a stone staircase into a cavernous vault dug deep within the rocky hillside. Many believe that Mary’s Dormition took place within this empty tomb. (Orthodox Christians use the term “Dormition” rather than “Assumption,” though the theological import is more or less the same.) The darkness of the tomb illuminates the beauty of Mary and invites your thoughts to follow her gracefully to heaven.
You could stay hidden within Mary’s Tomb for an entire afternoon, but that would be to ignore the rest of the holy sites on the Mount of Olives. Just a just a short walk up the hill you find Dominus Flevit Chapel, a small but beautiful sanctuary perched upon the mountain. (Translation of Dominus Flevit: “The Lord Wept.”) This is a uniquely built tear-shaped structure, and its location offers you a picturesque view of the city. The chapel reminds you of Christ as he wept over Jerusalem, uttering these words: “If this day you only knew what makes for peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:41)
I mention only three of the holy sites found on the Mount of Olives; there are indeed many more. And the Mount of Olives is only one of the many sectors of Jerusalem. My point is this: a lifetime spent in this city would not give you enough time to experience it all.
Out of the all of the places I have visited here in Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is my favorite. It is a rather ugly, jumbled-looking edifice, tucked away in the heart of the Old City of Jerusalem. Albeit unattractive to behold, the church is immensely important for Christians throughout the world. Under the roof of this massive edifice are located the hill on which Christ died and the tomb in which he was buried.
The floor plan of this complex church is awkward and difficult to describe, but I will do my best to explain the two main attractions. When you first step into the doors of the church, you encounter ten steep stone stairs immediately to your left. To take these stairs is to ascend Calvary. There you view the two chapels built in honor of Christ’s crucifixion and death. On the right is the chapel where Catholics celebrate Mass; this is supposedly the site where Christ was stripped of his garments and nailed to the cross. The back wall, above the alter, is decorated with a touching mosaic depicting our Sorrowful Mother agonizing over the deadly work of the Roman soldier who fastened her son’s hands and feet to the wood.
On the left is the second chapel, marking the place where the cross was erected. This chapel is used primarily by the Orthodox Christians, and behind its altar there is a life-sized iconic representation of Christ hanging on the cross. In a similar iconic style, Mary is standing at Jesus’ right, and the beloved disciple is to his left. This strangely beautiful scene is lit up on all sides by a soft glow of candles.
If you return down the stairs and walk but twenty yards straight ahead, you will find yourself in front of the marble structure that houses Christ’s tomb. Easily fitting under the church's huge dome, this building measures (approximately) fifteen feet wide, thirty feet high, and thirty feet deep. It has two compartments. The first compartment holds no more than twenty people and can be best described as a staging area for the interior compartment, the tomb itself. To enter into the tomb, which holds no more than six people, you must crouch down and shimmy through the low passageway that leads inside. In the hollowed confines of the tomb there is a marble slab marking the place where they laid Christ's cold body, and from this same spot he rose victorious on the third day.
While in Jerusalem I try to spend time to this church every day. Unfortunately there are some days I cannot make a visit due to our scheduled events (e.g., classes, lectures, guided tours, etc.). However, I looked through our pilgrimage calendar and found an opportunity to stay overnight in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. [Anyone is permitted to remain (locked) in the church over night - that is, from 7pm until 4am - provided that he or she can follow the three rules: 1) no sleeping, 2) no singing, and 3) no lighting candles. I am able to comply with all three.]
Our second Friday in Jerusalem was to be followed by a free Saturday, so I decided that that night was ideal for the overnight. I figured that I could stay up all night in the church and crash the entire next day. I arrived at the church around 6:45pm, approximately the time when the monks began rounding people up and shooing them out the door. I stuck close to a Franciscan monk, a certain Brother Gregory, a Californian man whom I had met earlier that day. He was the one who informed me of the three rules and told me to dress warmly. (The ancient, colossal church is like a Frigidaire at night.) After the monks expelled the final visitors out of the church, six brave souls (myself included) remained, willing to keep vigil through the night. When the monks deemed everything ready, the doors were shut and locked. A silence fell over the church.
For all intents and purposes, I was left alone on Calvary. Resting at the foot of cross and gazing up at the icon of Christ, I replayed in my mind the tragic scene that took place there 2000 years ago. That was my prayer. Then, when I thought that prayer complete, I made my way to Christ’s tomb and went inside. Once again I was left alone. Kneeling in front of the marble slab and placing my hands on its chilly surface, I replayed in my mind the triumphant scene that took place there 2000 years ago. That was my prayer. Finally, when my knees were worn out, I left the tomb and found another place in that holy church to sit and pray.
That night was full of intense prayer, and I was sure to remember all of you. I took with me a list of people for whom I promised to pray. I spent time with each name, bringing them all to Jesus as I sat at the foot of his cross.
The nine hours in the church passed relatively quickly. Brother Gregory was right about dressing warmly; there were times when I could see my breath. In some ways the low temperatures were helpful. Between the cold air and the hunger pangs, there was no room to get comfortable and fall sleep.
So that was my night at the Holy Sepulchre. I would love to tell you more, but there is no time. I am sad to say that this will probably be my last Holy Land email. Our plane leaves out of Tel Aviv in less than a week.
My plan is to continue traveling until the end of February. My parents, along with an aunt and an uncle, are going to meet me in Italy for two more weeks of pilgrimage. I hope to speak with most of you on the phone when I return to Chicago in March.
You will remain in my prayers. Please keep me in yours. Peace in the Middle East,
dave
2/6/07
One local Jewish woman commented wittily, “You’re on pilgrimage. That means you run where Jesus walked, right?” Indeed, the immensity of Jerusalem keeps a body moving, for there is simply so much to experience. Holy sites spring up around you on every side.
The Mount of Olives, the famous crag that sits east of the city, is a perfect example of what I mean. At its base is the Garden of Gethsemane where 2000-year-old olive trees decorate a small courtyard outside the Church of All Nations. The eerie dark blue interior of this church aptly sets the tone for meditation: this is the place where Christ was betrayed and arrested on the night before he died.
Adjacent to the Garden of Gethsemane is a property equally as alluring. This holy site, maintained by the Orthodox Church, is known as Mary’s Tomb. Here you descend a stone staircase into a cavernous vault dug deep within the rocky hillside. Many believe that Mary’s Dormition took place within this empty tomb. (Orthodox Christians use the term “Dormition” rather than “Assumption,” though the theological import is more or less the same.) The darkness of the tomb illuminates the beauty of Mary and invites your thoughts to follow her gracefully to heaven.
You could stay hidden within Mary’s Tomb for an entire afternoon, but that would be to ignore the rest of the holy sites on the Mount of Olives. Just a just a short walk up the hill you find Dominus Flevit Chapel, a small but beautiful sanctuary perched upon the mountain. (Translation of Dominus Flevit: “The Lord Wept.”) This is a uniquely built tear-shaped structure, and its location offers you a picturesque view of the city. The chapel reminds you of Christ as he wept over Jerusalem, uttering these words: “If this day you only knew what makes for peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:41)
I mention only three of the holy sites found on the Mount of Olives; there are indeed many more. And the Mount of Olives is only one of the many sectors of Jerusalem. My point is this: a lifetime spent in this city would not give you enough time to experience it all.
Out of the all of the places I have visited here in Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is my favorite. It is a rather ugly, jumbled-looking edifice, tucked away in the heart of the Old City of Jerusalem. Albeit unattractive to behold, the church is immensely important for Christians throughout the world. Under the roof of this massive edifice are located the hill on which Christ died and the tomb in which he was buried.
The floor plan of this complex church is awkward and difficult to describe, but I will do my best to explain the two main attractions. When you first step into the doors of the church, you encounter ten steep stone stairs immediately to your left. To take these stairs is to ascend Calvary. There you view the two chapels built in honor of Christ’s crucifixion and death. On the right is the chapel where Catholics celebrate Mass; this is supposedly the site where Christ was stripped of his garments and nailed to the cross. The back wall, above the alter, is decorated with a touching mosaic depicting our Sorrowful Mother agonizing over the deadly work of the Roman soldier who fastened her son’s hands and feet to the wood.
On the left is the second chapel, marking the place where the cross was erected. This chapel is used primarily by the Orthodox Christians, and behind its altar there is a life-sized iconic representation of Christ hanging on the cross. In a similar iconic style, Mary is standing at Jesus’ right, and the beloved disciple is to his left. This strangely beautiful scene is lit up on all sides by a soft glow of candles.
If you return down the stairs and walk but twenty yards straight ahead, you will find yourself in front of the marble structure that houses Christ’s tomb. Easily fitting under the church's huge dome, this building measures (approximately) fifteen feet wide, thirty feet high, and thirty feet deep. It has two compartments. The first compartment holds no more than twenty people and can be best described as a staging area for the interior compartment, the tomb itself. To enter into the tomb, which holds no more than six people, you must crouch down and shimmy through the low passageway that leads inside. In the hollowed confines of the tomb there is a marble slab marking the place where they laid Christ's cold body, and from this same spot he rose victorious on the third day.
While in Jerusalem I try to spend time to this church every day. Unfortunately there are some days I cannot make a visit due to our scheduled events (e.g., classes, lectures, guided tours, etc.). However, I looked through our pilgrimage calendar and found an opportunity to stay overnight in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. [Anyone is permitted to remain (locked) in the church over night - that is, from 7pm until 4am - provided that he or she can follow the three rules: 1) no sleeping, 2) no singing, and 3) no lighting candles. I am able to comply with all three.]
Our second Friday in Jerusalem was to be followed by a free Saturday, so I decided that that night was ideal for the overnight. I figured that I could stay up all night in the church and crash the entire next day. I arrived at the church around 6:45pm, approximately the time when the monks began rounding people up and shooing them out the door. I stuck close to a Franciscan monk, a certain Brother Gregory, a Californian man whom I had met earlier that day. He was the one who informed me of the three rules and told me to dress warmly. (The ancient, colossal church is like a Frigidaire at night.) After the monks expelled the final visitors out of the church, six brave souls (myself included) remained, willing to keep vigil through the night. When the monks deemed everything ready, the doors were shut and locked. A silence fell over the church.
For all intents and purposes, I was left alone on Calvary. Resting at the foot of cross and gazing up at the icon of Christ, I replayed in my mind the tragic scene that took place there 2000 years ago. That was my prayer. Then, when I thought that prayer complete, I made my way to Christ’s tomb and went inside. Once again I was left alone. Kneeling in front of the marble slab and placing my hands on its chilly surface, I replayed in my mind the triumphant scene that took place there 2000 years ago. That was my prayer. Finally, when my knees were worn out, I left the tomb and found another place in that holy church to sit and pray.
That night was full of intense prayer, and I was sure to remember all of you. I took with me a list of people for whom I promised to pray. I spent time with each name, bringing them all to Jesus as I sat at the foot of his cross.
The nine hours in the church passed relatively quickly. Brother Gregory was right about dressing warmly; there were times when I could see my breath. In some ways the low temperatures were helpful. Between the cold air and the hunger pangs, there was no room to get comfortable and fall sleep.
So that was my night at the Holy Sepulchre. I would love to tell you more, but there is no time. I am sad to say that this will probably be my last Holy Land email. Our plane leaves out of Tel Aviv in less than a week.
My plan is to continue traveling until the end of February. My parents, along with an aunt and an uncle, are going to meet me in Italy for two more weeks of pilgrimage. I hope to speak with most of you on the phone when I return to Chicago in March.
You will remain in my prayers. Please keep me in yours. Peace in the Middle East,
dave
2/6/07
Monday, January 29, 2007
The Secret Life of a Monk: Seminarian Andrew Trapp
The food was surprisingly good, considering that it was without meat and very simple. And the grounds were so beautiful and peaceful that one can actually imagine a person choosing to stay there for the rest of their lives. But the hardest part for me to believe was that these men wake up at three every morning to begin their day with prayer. Every single night, when everyone else is sleeping, they rise at the stroke of a bell to worship God with chanting of psalms and meditation upon Scripture. No sleeping in... ever!
I'm speaking of the monks of Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery in South Carolina. It is hidden about an hour outside of Charleston, overlooking a beautiful view of the Cooper River. I recently spent five days there on a silent retreat as part of the preparation for my priestly ordination in July. There were about nine other guests of various ages and vocations on retreat at the same time, staying in special guest houses spread throughout the abbey grounds. We were offered the unique experience of participating with the monks in their communal prayers, sharing their meals, and immersing ourselves in the monastery's peace and silence.
The abbey has about two dozen monks, ranging from several saintly-looking brothers in their eighties and nineties to several younger brothers in their twenties and thirties. They wear white robes with a black scapular, leather belt, and hood. (See the links below for photos.) By the time they celebrate Mass at 7:30 each morning, they have already spent four hours in prayer and worship! They will then spend the day in manual labor (most work on the abbey's chicken farm), pausing several times throughout the day to reunite in the chapel for prayer. Outside of conversations that are necessary for their work, the monks keep silence so as to better pray throughout all of the day's activities. And finally, after closing the day with night prayer, the brothers retire at 8:00 so that they will be ready to begin all over again at 3:00 the next morning!
A brother was once asked by a visitor, "So what do you do here?" The brother responded, "We pray." The visitor continued, "No, I mean, what do you do, why are you here?" Again the brother responded, "We're here to pray." Exasperated, the visitor cried, "But don't you guys run an orphanage or a hospital or something useful like that?" A third time, the brother explained, "No, our job is to pray. We pray for the entire world."
Living in our product-oriented culture, it is easy to react like that visitor and think, "What a waste of one's life! If they're going to make such a sacrifice, why don't they do something useful for society?" But Mepkin Abbey, and the thousands of monasteries and convents like it, reminds us that we were all created for the sole purpose of giving honor and praise to God. This is what brings true joy to our daily lives. How fortunate we are that religious communities like Mepkin Abbey exist, whose members are praying night and day not only for themselves, but for the entire world! Why not take a moment and offer a little prayer of thanksgiving for all of the cloistered brothers and sisters in the world, praying for us even though we've never met them!
Andrew Trapp
1/27/07
Photos I took at the abbey : www.saintfactory.com/mepkin.html
Mepkin Abbey's website : www.mepkinabbey.org
I'm speaking of the monks of Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery in South Carolina. It is hidden about an hour outside of Charleston, overlooking a beautiful view of the Cooper River. I recently spent five days there on a silent retreat as part of the preparation for my priestly ordination in July. There were about nine other guests of various ages and vocations on retreat at the same time, staying in special guest houses spread throughout the abbey grounds. We were offered the unique experience of participating with the monks in their communal prayers, sharing their meals, and immersing ourselves in the monastery's peace and silence.
The abbey has about two dozen monks, ranging from several saintly-looking brothers in their eighties and nineties to several younger brothers in their twenties and thirties. They wear white robes with a black scapular, leather belt, and hood. (See the links below for photos.) By the time they celebrate Mass at 7:30 each morning, they have already spent four hours in prayer and worship! They will then spend the day in manual labor (most work on the abbey's chicken farm), pausing several times throughout the day to reunite in the chapel for prayer. Outside of conversations that are necessary for their work, the monks keep silence so as to better pray throughout all of the day's activities. And finally, after closing the day with night prayer, the brothers retire at 8:00 so that they will be ready to begin all over again at 3:00 the next morning!
A brother was once asked by a visitor, "So what do you do here?" The brother responded, "We pray." The visitor continued, "No, I mean, what do you do, why are you here?" Again the brother responded, "We're here to pray." Exasperated, the visitor cried, "But don't you guys run an orphanage or a hospital or something useful like that?" A third time, the brother explained, "No, our job is to pray. We pray for the entire world."
Living in our product-oriented culture, it is easy to react like that visitor and think, "What a waste of one's life! If they're going to make such a sacrifice, why don't they do something useful for society?" But Mepkin Abbey, and the thousands of monasteries and convents like it, reminds us that we were all created for the sole purpose of giving honor and praise to God. This is what brings true joy to our daily lives. How fortunate we are that religious communities like Mepkin Abbey exist, whose members are praying night and day not only for themselves, but for the entire world! Why not take a moment and offer a little prayer of thanksgiving for all of the cloistered brothers and sisters in the world, praying for us even though we've never met them!
Andrew Trapp
1/27/07
Photos I took at the abbey : www.saintfactory.com/mepkin.html
Mepkin Abbey's website : www.mepkinabbey.org
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Missing the Josephinum: Seminarian Zachary Kelly
When I returned to the Josephinum for my second semester, I was surprised as to how much I missed it. I’ve only been here for abut five months and yet I’ve grown so attached to it.
At the end of the first semester, the complaints were starting to mount among all of the students. People were having trouble with their classes, some were getting home sick, and formation could feel like a bomb waiting to explode. I thought for sure, after all of that, that I would want to stay on Christmas break forever. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
As vacation drew on, I felt myself beginning to miss the seminary. I started reflecting on how fast the first semester went. Now, I wasn’t one who enjoyed high school. It was like pulling teeth for me. I thought the classes at the seminary would be the same, just going through the motions trying to skimp by. To my surprise, as I reflected on the first semester, I couldn’t believe how much fun I had in the classes. It felt like it wasn’t work at all. This is not to say that it wasn’t hard, but I am saying that it wasn’t a burden, as I was expecting. It turned out that I really loved my classes and did considerably well in most of them. Even the ones I didn’t do to well in, I hadn’t felt like I failed in the endeavor but that I simply was called to delve deeper into the subject.
What I found I missed the most, though, were the guys I’ve come to call my brothers. We’ve from all over the world to this place to study about God, and with that great mixture of persons comes a great mixture of personalities. Some of the students and the brightest and most interesting mix of people I’ve ever known. I have a friend I consider a great philosopher, another who sees God in all creation, one who sees God in every person he comes across and is “so sophisticated and superior” to quote a phrase from his brother. I had even come to miss the faculty. Consisting of some Jesuits, diocesan priests from around the world, and one wacky but lovable Dominican, the faculty is one of the greatest collection of minds I’ve ever come to experience.
There were a lot of things to miss about the Josephinum over Christmas break. That’s because there are a lot of things to love about the Josephinum. At this point, I’m not positive that God is calling me to be a priest. All I do know is that he’s calling me to be at the Josephinum at this point in time. He’s calling me to be a better Christian, and to counted among some of the greatest students in the world. I’ve come to realize, even in my short time here, that it’s truly a blessing to be here. It really is a great place to discern the will of God.
At the end of the first semester, the complaints were starting to mount among all of the students. People were having trouble with their classes, some were getting home sick, and formation could feel like a bomb waiting to explode. I thought for sure, after all of that, that I would want to stay on Christmas break forever. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
As vacation drew on, I felt myself beginning to miss the seminary. I started reflecting on how fast the first semester went. Now, I wasn’t one who enjoyed high school. It was like pulling teeth for me. I thought the classes at the seminary would be the same, just going through the motions trying to skimp by. To my surprise, as I reflected on the first semester, I couldn’t believe how much fun I had in the classes. It felt like it wasn’t work at all. This is not to say that it wasn’t hard, but I am saying that it wasn’t a burden, as I was expecting. It turned out that I really loved my classes and did considerably well in most of them. Even the ones I didn’t do to well in, I hadn’t felt like I failed in the endeavor but that I simply was called to delve deeper into the subject.
What I found I missed the most, though, were the guys I’ve come to call my brothers. We’ve from all over the world to this place to study about God, and with that great mixture of persons comes a great mixture of personalities. Some of the students and the brightest and most interesting mix of people I’ve ever known. I have a friend I consider a great philosopher, another who sees God in all creation, one who sees God in every person he comes across and is “so sophisticated and superior” to quote a phrase from his brother. I had even come to miss the faculty. Consisting of some Jesuits, diocesan priests from around the world, and one wacky but lovable Dominican, the faculty is one of the greatest collection of minds I’ve ever come to experience.
There were a lot of things to miss about the Josephinum over Christmas break. That’s because there are a lot of things to love about the Josephinum. At this point, I’m not positive that God is calling me to be a priest. All I do know is that he’s calling me to be at the Josephinum at this point in time. He’s calling me to be a better Christian, and to counted among some of the greatest students in the world. I’ve come to realize, even in my short time here, that it’s truly a blessing to be here. It really is a great place to discern the will of God.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Updates from the Holy Land: Seminarian Dave Schalk 1/10/07
[Greetings from the Holy Land! Most of this email was written in Galilee on January 5th. I was without an opportunity to send it to you until today, January 10th. Our group has since moved into the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem. I expect another email with more current info will find its way to you soon.]
Realizing the fact that these updates can, unexpectedly and all of a sudden, reach a rather cumbersome length, I will attempt to limit this email considerably. Let’s get right down to the nitty-gritty. What happened this past week? The big news is that our group has moved out of our abode in Bethlehem and begun a one-week trek through Galilee.
The first two days of our journey were spent in Nazareth and its outlying areas. The most impressive site, in my opinion, was the cave that is traditionally held to be the home of the Holy Family. (Important historical note: The sparse population of 1st century Nazareth lived in caves. It can be believed, therefore, that Jesus, Mary, Joseph occupied an underground dwelling throughout their humble lives in Nazareth.) Above the cave is built a wonderful little church dedicated to St. Joseph, which I recommend everyone visit.
After our time in Nazareth, we made our way over to a pilgrim house that is located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. (I don’t want to describe our new digs as a “luxury hotel,” but you should know that we’re very comfortable.) The first day here afforded us the opportunity for a boat ride on the water, and some of the more stouthearted seminarians took a quick dip in the cold drink. It was a blast.
Very near our accommodations is located Capernaum, the heart and hotbed of Jesus’ ministry. He taught, healed, and performed miracles here. The place where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, for example, is but a five-minute walk from my room. All of these intensely New Testament spots are right here, and seeing these holy sites inspires awe and leads to a deeper appreciation of familiar biblical texts.
Everyday our guide leads us to more and more ancient ruins, and Israel has no shortage of ancient ruins. Having seemingly heard the past thirty centuries of Holy Land history, I feel as if I’ve earned a degree in western civilization. It’s interesting to learn about all these places – but it’s enjoyable to relax at night after a long day of touring. Usually cards and beverages find their way into our hands after dinner.
We arrive in Jerusalem on Sunday, January 7th. 3 Paratroopers Road will be our address until we leave the Holy Land in February. The next six weeks are sure to bring more excitement, insight, and joy.
Until the next update, peace in the Middle East,
dave
1/10/07
Realizing the fact that these updates can, unexpectedly and all of a sudden, reach a rather cumbersome length, I will attempt to limit this email considerably. Let’s get right down to the nitty-gritty. What happened this past week? The big news is that our group has moved out of our abode in Bethlehem and begun a one-week trek through Galilee.
The first two days of our journey were spent in Nazareth and its outlying areas. The most impressive site, in my opinion, was the cave that is traditionally held to be the home of the Holy Family. (Important historical note: The sparse population of 1st century Nazareth lived in caves. It can be believed, therefore, that Jesus, Mary, Joseph occupied an underground dwelling throughout their humble lives in Nazareth.) Above the cave is built a wonderful little church dedicated to St. Joseph, which I recommend everyone visit.
After our time in Nazareth, we made our way over to a pilgrim house that is located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. (I don’t want to describe our new digs as a “luxury hotel,” but you should know that we’re very comfortable.) The first day here afforded us the opportunity for a boat ride on the water, and some of the more stouthearted seminarians took a quick dip in the cold drink. It was a blast.
Very near our accommodations is located Capernaum, the heart and hotbed of Jesus’ ministry. He taught, healed, and performed miracles here. The place where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, for example, is but a five-minute walk from my room. All of these intensely New Testament spots are right here, and seeing these holy sites inspires awe and leads to a deeper appreciation of familiar biblical texts.
Everyday our guide leads us to more and more ancient ruins, and Israel has no shortage of ancient ruins. Having seemingly heard the past thirty centuries of Holy Land history, I feel as if I’ve earned a degree in western civilization. It’s interesting to learn about all these places – but it’s enjoyable to relax at night after a long day of touring. Usually cards and beverages find their way into our hands after dinner.
We arrive in Jerusalem on Sunday, January 7th. 3 Paratroopers Road will be our address until we leave the Holy Land in February. The next six weeks are sure to bring more excitement, insight, and joy.
Until the next update, peace in the Middle East,
dave
1/10/07
Monday, January 8, 2007
Seekholiness Podcast: Jesus Jams December 2006
In this podcast, Father Josh Wagner of the Columbus Diocese, self proclaimed "entertainment incarnate" speaks passionately on the connections between Taco Bell and the Eucharist. Heresy? I think not.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Seekholiness Podcast: Jesus Jams December Homily
In this recording, Father Dave Young of the Diocese of Columbus speaks on our call to a Eucharistic Mission. This homily was given at the Jesus Jam on December 10th.
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