"Make us not afraid of life and not afraid of this earth. Make us strive for justice and believe in peace. Make us not afraid of the cross and neither afraid of the Resurrection. Make us, Creator, not afraid of enjoying this world, of celebrating and protecting this world." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 157)
The commandment not to be afraid, "fear not" is all over the Bible. While I'm not sure the exact number of times it occurs, it is far more prevalent than any commandment on sexuality for sure.
Yet so many people always talk about being afraid. Of course we live in a society that thrives on fear mongering. Not only of "other people" but sometimes of even enjoying life itself.
I try not to be afraid of life, and certainly love going outside of my home, though I do love my home also. Striving for justice, means for me to not cave in to the fear mongering. To be able to take a stand when one is called for. Believing in peace must also begin with myself. Can I let go of some of the petty anger that flares up from time to time.
I don't fear death but I won't try death defying stunts either. I don't fear resurrection because I believe the newness and difference it invites me to is worth having.
I want to enjoy all that the world has to offer, that is beautiful and worthy. There are things of course in this world, that may appear pleasurable, but are not worth having. I want to live a life of celebration while not exploiting and taking advantage of the gifts God has given.
Blessings,
Ed
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Reflections for 4/13/10
"We pray that our lives can be a real adventure, that you can open some new parts of ourselves, that we can recognize and love some new parts of own manhood and womanhood" (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 156)
What would it mean to have life be an adventure? Most of the time life feels more like a roller coaster. An adventure in my opinion would mean, first going to a new place that I hadn't been before, packing some essentials, but seeing where the path goes, without necessarily knowing how it will all work out. In the old TV show "the Little Rascals" I remember one line where someone ask where the other person was going, the reply "I don't know but I'm on my way."
Paul writes in Corinthians that we know in part and then we will be fully known. I've always heard that as an invitation to continue to grow as a person. There may still even after 44 years be some aspects of me that I haven't realized or have never allowed to come out and play. Parts that could make me more complete and perhaps even better equipped to be fully engaged with the world.
The key would be to when encountering that part of Ed, to learn to embrace, nourish and love that part as much as I've loved the parts that are already clear.
Blessings,
Ed
What would it mean to have life be an adventure? Most of the time life feels more like a roller coaster. An adventure in my opinion would mean, first going to a new place that I hadn't been before, packing some essentials, but seeing where the path goes, without necessarily knowing how it will all work out. In the old TV show "the Little Rascals" I remember one line where someone ask where the other person was going, the reply "I don't know but I'm on my way."
Paul writes in Corinthians that we know in part and then we will be fully known. I've always heard that as an invitation to continue to grow as a person. There may still even after 44 years be some aspects of me that I haven't realized or have never allowed to come out and play. Parts that could make me more complete and perhaps even better equipped to be fully engaged with the world.
The key would be to when encountering that part of Ed, to learn to embrace, nourish and love that part as much as I've loved the parts that are already clear.
Blessings,
Ed
Monday, April 12, 2010
Reflections 4/12/10
"We love what you have given. Help us to recognize, Holy One, and to rejoice in what is given, even in the midst of what is not given. Help us not to doubt, Lord, what you have given us, even when we feel our shortcomings." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 155)
As I read this prayer from Fr. Rohr, I began to see very clearly the real difference between pessimism and optimism, from the glass half full to the glass half empty approach to life.
Each day I can choose to see and benefit from what I have, or to sit back look at what others seemingly have and feel inadequate. While I don't own a house, I do have a place to live. While I don't eat name brand food all the time, I am not going hungry at anytime. While there isn't a whole lot of wiggle room in my household budget, I am still able to pay the bills, and enjoy vacations.
I can also choose to recognize the gifts and talents I have as a husband, dad and priest, or I can choose to focus in on the ways I'm not perfect. And of course the more productive use of my time would be to acknowledge that there are shortcomings, but learn to live with some of them, unless they are really causing havoc in my life.
What helps me to take a more optimistic view point, is the central belief that I am in fact, loved and lovable. By God, by others, and on most days by self.
Blessings,
Ed
As I read this prayer from Fr. Rohr, I began to see very clearly the real difference between pessimism and optimism, from the glass half full to the glass half empty approach to life.
Each day I can choose to see and benefit from what I have, or to sit back look at what others seemingly have and feel inadequate. While I don't own a house, I do have a place to live. While I don't eat name brand food all the time, I am not going hungry at anytime. While there isn't a whole lot of wiggle room in my household budget, I am still able to pay the bills, and enjoy vacations.
I can also choose to recognize the gifts and talents I have as a husband, dad and priest, or I can choose to focus in on the ways I'm not perfect. And of course the more productive use of my time would be to acknowledge that there are shortcomings, but learn to live with some of them, unless they are really causing havoc in my life.
What helps me to take a more optimistic view point, is the central belief that I am in fact, loved and lovable. By God, by others, and on most days by self.
Blessings,
Ed
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Reflections for 4/11/10
"When you no longer expect something more from life, you are for all practical purposes and atheist. When you are no longer open to do something new, to see and feel in new ways about old things, you might as well hang it up." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 155)
When I first read this, I thought that's wrong. As a Christian am I not supposed to be satisfied with what I have? Content if you will? Then I thought some more and realized that while I try to be content with what I have and the current circumstances of my life, I do spend time thinking and dreaming of something more or different in various parts of life. That because I believe in a living God, one who unveils new aspects of me and new ways of seeing and feeling about things that I have reason to keep going.
The key is to be open to new ways of being or seeing old things. It doesn't guarantee that they will happen, or that you will change, but that should change come you will be ready for it.
Each day is a new one. Parts of it will seem like the same old same old, but one spiritual discipline might be to start by asking to be open to something different, and then at the end of the day to see what was.
Blessings,
Ed
When I first read this, I thought that's wrong. As a Christian am I not supposed to be satisfied with what I have? Content if you will? Then I thought some more and realized that while I try to be content with what I have and the current circumstances of my life, I do spend time thinking and dreaming of something more or different in various parts of life. That because I believe in a living God, one who unveils new aspects of me and new ways of seeing and feeling about things that I have reason to keep going.
The key is to be open to new ways of being or seeing old things. It doesn't guarantee that they will happen, or that you will change, but that should change come you will be ready for it.
Each day is a new one. Parts of it will seem like the same old same old, but one spiritual discipline might be to start by asking to be open to something different, and then at the end of the day to see what was.
Blessings,
Ed
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Reflections for 4/10/10
"Faith is not for overcoming obstacles; it is for experiencing them." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 154)
There doesn't seem to be a day, where what I hope to accomplish has something happen that prevents all that I want to get done, done. Of course sometimes I create my own obstacles and distractions, but there are other times that forces beyond my control get in the way.
And it is true in a much bigger sense than the day to day stuff. In our lives we seem to always have some obstacle in our way. Something that keeps us from achieving our goals, or even being fully human.
Faith doesn't prevent the obstacles, or even remove them. Faith does help me endure the obstacles until the solution or resolution occurs. And for me there is a big difference.
While I'd appreciate having a little less experience of obstacles, I'll use my faith, the gifts of the spirit, especially patience, to keep myself from becoming overwhelmed or discouraged.
Blessings,
Ed
There doesn't seem to be a day, where what I hope to accomplish has something happen that prevents all that I want to get done, done. Of course sometimes I create my own obstacles and distractions, but there are other times that forces beyond my control get in the way.
And it is true in a much bigger sense than the day to day stuff. In our lives we seem to always have some obstacle in our way. Something that keeps us from achieving our goals, or even being fully human.
Faith doesn't prevent the obstacles, or even remove them. Faith does help me endure the obstacles until the solution or resolution occurs. And for me there is a big difference.
While I'd appreciate having a little less experience of obstacles, I'll use my faith, the gifts of the spirit, especially patience, to keep myself from becoming overwhelmed or discouraged.
Blessings,
Ed
Friday, April 9, 2010
Reflections for 4/9/2010
"Eucharist is the gift that makes us a sacred and universal people." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 153)
One of the most important aspects of my spiritual journey has been weekly Eucharist. Receiving communion in my church has been a part of my weekly ritual for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a church where communion was the central action of the worship. There were and maybe still are Episcopal churches that have Morning Prayer as their principle Sunday worship, but that has not been my experience.
Even while away at college, going to church and receiving communion was essential to any semblance of balance that I had. For me to not receive communion during the week makes about as much sense as not bathing.
Now I will admit that I had not thought of the more global picture of communion. That what I was doing was happening at countless churches around the globe. And was even happening in churches other than my beloved Episcopal church.
The image of that fellowship I think is very important. If we can break bread together, then we should it would seem to me be able to work through many if not all of our disagreements. The bible even tells us not to do so when we are at enmity with someone else. Unfortunately it is often seen as don't do so with that person or group, not don't do it at all.
But it is that sharing and same action globally that should be a sign of what is possible, a reminder that it isn't just about me. And that unity shared among Christians and our shared humanity is shown for its potential through the sacrament of Eucharist.
Blessings,
Ed
One of the most important aspects of my spiritual journey has been weekly Eucharist. Receiving communion in my church has been a part of my weekly ritual for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a church where communion was the central action of the worship. There were and maybe still are Episcopal churches that have Morning Prayer as their principle Sunday worship, but that has not been my experience.
Even while away at college, going to church and receiving communion was essential to any semblance of balance that I had. For me to not receive communion during the week makes about as much sense as not bathing.
Now I will admit that I had not thought of the more global picture of communion. That what I was doing was happening at countless churches around the globe. And was even happening in churches other than my beloved Episcopal church.
The image of that fellowship I think is very important. If we can break bread together, then we should it would seem to me be able to work through many if not all of our disagreements. The bible even tells us not to do so when we are at enmity with someone else. Unfortunately it is often seen as don't do so with that person or group, not don't do it at all.
But it is that sharing and same action globally that should be a sign of what is possible, a reminder that it isn't just about me. And that unity shared among Christians and our shared humanity is shown for its potential through the sacrament of Eucharist.
Blessings,
Ed
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Reflections for 4/8/10
"We cannot free ourselves. We can only be set free by the love of another. Jesus is totally set free only by the love of the Other! Amazingly, this faith-surrender does not destroy the self or individuality, but it actually creates it and recreates it. For the highest form of self-possession is the capacity to give oneself." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 152)
When anyone is trying to break through a self-destructive life style, it usually helps to have the love and support of another. This is also true when trying to recover from illness or injury. When we have the love and encouragement of another, we want to try harder to do the work we need to do.
I often will pray that God will continue to strengthen those who are recovering, to empower them to do the therapy etc. needed to heal. There are people who want God to fix everything, but I hear God inviting us to join in the fixing. Yes trust that God is present giving us the tools and the skills and the desire to do what needs to be done. The faith surrender is to believe that you've already been given what you need, now go and do.
It is in that self-assurance, that we can risk giving ourselves in the service of others. That service may sometimes be nothing more than a capacity to listen. But whatever we are called to do at any given moment, believe that God through the Holy Spirit has empowered you.
Blessings,
Ed
When anyone is trying to break through a self-destructive life style, it usually helps to have the love and support of another. This is also true when trying to recover from illness or injury. When we have the love and encouragement of another, we want to try harder to do the work we need to do.
I often will pray that God will continue to strengthen those who are recovering, to empower them to do the therapy etc. needed to heal. There are people who want God to fix everything, but I hear God inviting us to join in the fixing. Yes trust that God is present giving us the tools and the skills and the desire to do what needs to be done. The faith surrender is to believe that you've already been given what you need, now go and do.
It is in that self-assurance, that we can risk giving ourselves in the service of others. That service may sometimes be nothing more than a capacity to listen. But whatever we are called to do at any given moment, believe that God through the Holy Spirit has empowered you.
Blessings,
Ed
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