"Perhaps this is one of the secrets of life-- to know 'Glory' when we see it..." --Charlotte M. Mason
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Twaddle-free Tuesdays: Genesis to Jesus
It is called Genesis to Jesus, and was co-written by Kimberly and Scott Hahn in association with the St Paul Center for Biblical Theology.
Wanna know how good it is ?? It is rapidly becoming my single favorite resource besides the Catechism for explaining Salvation History using the Bible. True story!
We originally selected it for those mothers who weren't familiar with the Bible to help them make some sense out of what they read and heard.
Ironically (or maybe not) there are only two of us who regularly meet right now to persist in unpacking the rich contents of scripture via this book, and of the whole group, we are the only two who probably "didn't need" to read it in the first place-- we're well versed in scripture study and none of the content seemed too "new" to us initially.
Despite all that, we are both learning something incredible with each passing chapter. And our discussions are like, woah!! Needless to say, I'm loving it.
The book is a review of covenant history, and journeys through scripture from Creation onwards. I already know what you're thinking--- None of its topical concepts are "new" to me as a Bible reader. BUT to you , I say: give it a chance. It is nothing short of amazing how deep we are led into understanding the nature of covenant, what it means for us, and WHY it matters by simpling putting two scriptures together we may not have connected before.
For us as Catholics, it is especially helpful to give tools for assessing why we believe that the Catholic Church is the ONLY Church on God's green earth which teaches wholly, and fully, biblical doctrine. All other churches and even religions contain small fragments and large pieces of truth.... but for me, from day one, I've sought to live by the Bible, and the Bible is what led me to Catholicism. I know some of my readers disagree, so for the sake of my non-Catholic friends I should point out that this book is neither preachy nor overtly "Catholic"-- in fact, I have only seen the word Catholic once so far in it, and it was in this sentence:
"If we want to understand the Bible, we need to understand it's plot. That plot is salvation history, the story of how God's plan for human salvation unfolds in the course of human events. In order to correctly understand the plot and recognize how Scripture applies to our lives, we need to read the Bible from the heart of the Church, seeing God's story with Catholic eyes. Knowing why we read the Bible, and how we should read the Bible, can give us that perspective."He then goes on to unpack the story of the walk along the Emmaus Road in such a way as to help the reader understand how Christ HIMSELF explains scripture to His disciples. Nope, this book is not preachy-- in fact-- there's hardly any text at all that isn't directly related to the biblical text itself. But it's eye opening and extremely interesting as a sort of timeline- method of passing through old, familiar Bible stories in light of the actions, words, and prophecies about the Christ.
Let me give you a little peek into just one area we are covering by sharing a snippet that hit me just right and just at the right time.... but first- a little background.
I've been really, truly struggling lately in almost every way.
Although I'm quite certain that I'm doing mostly the right things -- and recognizing and correcting them right away when I'm not...I have never felt more isolated, alone, and unloved.
My children are the focal point of virtually all of my energy (and plenty of energy I don't have but somehow muster up) right now. What they don't take up is taken by my husband, who is stressed on a level I cannot even describe right now as he goes through the academy and attempts to-- once and for all-- get us on our feet. And in the midst of all that I am living in my father in law's house, a challenge enough as it is but which is currently made twice as hard by some challenges he himself is facing.
Because we have only one car and cannot afford to insure me right now, I am completely isolated. And because things are tough, the good is really, really good... and the bad is... a nightmare.
I keep trying to hang on to St John of the Cross' promise that there is great benefit in simply detaching from everything. He recommends as a spiritual exercise that we maintain a practice of refusing what gives us pleasure and doing only what we dislike. I think it must be a great grace that God has given me that I am not even given the choice at any stage in this season... I just feel hammered. I don't know. I will be speaking with my spiritual director about it.
In the meantime, God has used this book to really make me aware of His presence.
As I prepared for tommorow's lesson I was sitting outside reading this book and studying my bible when I was literally moved to tears for a moment by meditating on salvation history.
The topic is Abraham, Our Father in the faith. It opens with the promises given to us through Genesis 12:1-3: (Land and nationhood, a royal dynasty and great name, and a worldwide family) and goes on to describe Abram's response in faith.
I paused there for a while, reflecting on many lessons I have learned over the years about faith, especially through a dear friend who discipled me when I first came face to face with the living God-- and her father, a wonderful pastor and mentor who gave me a foundation of faith right from the start that could not fail.
I remember well her and her father telling me, over and over again the powerful lessons given to us from Hebrews 11:8:
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
This is the journey of faith, by faith, and through faith. This is our own calling, too. Like Abraham and Mary, his daughter, we say to God: "be it done to me according to thy Word." (Luke 1:38) And then we believe, we hope, and we love, even though we experience sorrow beyond all understanding. We have seen His glory revealed... a glimpse.... and we know the rest is there. Come hell, or high water. That's the Christian life.
But it was the next passage that really stopped me.. a simple list of things he experienced during that "walk." See if it doesn't get you thinking too:
The Tests of the Blessed (the life of Abram---> Abraham)
Famine (Gen 12)
Exile and temporary loss of wife (Gen 12)
Family strife and division (Gen 13)
Wars (Gen 14)
Unfulfilled promises (Gen 15)
Marital Discord (Gen 16)
Painful surgery (Gen 17)
Supernatural disaster (Gen 18-19)
The temporary loss of his wife, again (Gen 20)
More family strife (Gen 21)
Asked to sacrifice his son (Gen 22)
His faith is rewarded (Gen 15; 17; 22)
Sound familiar?? It did to me. I am walking through that same darkness.... on that same journey. I'm daily living those exact same things!
What incredible peace came over me to stop and think that my Father, Abraham, and every one of his children, though they walk through the same trials, will be rewarded for their faith. What beautiful joy overpowered my sorrows--- what companionship. I am honored to be called a daughter of Abraham, and honored to walk this well-worn path with all of you.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.
-- Mary (Lk 1:46-55)
I can't recommend this book enough--- it is fascinating for Jews, for Catholics, for Non-Catholic Christians, and even for Muslims and is simply a discussion of events as they unfold in the scriptures-- nothing added, nothing taken away. Just a journey through the scriptures.
As I mentally prepare in my heart for advent and the season of waiting for the celebration of the Only Event on which all of History stands (I'm throwing my newly annual "Thankful for Advent" Party the day after thanksgiving and getting sooo excited!) it is perfect to go through this book and deeply drink from the living well present in scripture, because I'm so thirsty!! -----And I would venture to guess you are too. Enjoy it!
Friday, October 14, 2011
A prayer for our husbands
Lord, let my husband be known in the gates , when he sits among the elders of the land (Prov 31:23)
Give him work that allows him to be good and do good, for a little is better with righteousness than vast revenues without justice. (prov 16:8) Blessed shall he be in the city, and blessed shall he be in the country. Blessed shall be the fruit of his body, the produce of his ground, and the increase of his herds. Blessed shall be his basket and his kneading bowl, for You, Lord, have promised to be the one to go before him, to be with him, and not forsake him-- therefore let him not be afraid. (Deut 28:3-6, 31:8)
Your Word says that he must be strong and of good courage. (Joshua 1:9) Give him every place the soul of his foot shall tread, and let him not turn to the right or to the left to deviate from your law, so that he will prosper wherever he goes. (Joshua 1:7)
Lord, send your Holy Spirit to quicken his Spirit, and teach him your ways. Your raise the poor out of the dust and lift the needy out of the ash heap to set them with princes (Psalm 113:7) and so we praise You, O God! The heart of my husband trusts in You, Lord, so deliver him from evil men. Break Satan's yoke from him and burst his bonds apart. (Nahum 1:13)
Lord, you say to the devil those same words you have reserved for the false prophet: that you are against him, that you will burn his chariots in smoke, that the sword shall devour his young lions and that the voice of his messengers will be heard no more. (Nahum 2:13)
B y the power of your Holy Spirit, God, teach me to pray for my husband and break every curse over him by the blood of Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins. Thank You, Lord! Your glory is from everlasting to everlasting, and we will never cease to sing your praise, O King of heaven!
Theology Thursdays- Deeper Sabbaths
With the celebration of Sukkot occuring this week, I posted this pic of our makeshift ghetto-style semi-sukkah on FB and caused a mini ruckus when people (Jews, Messianics, Catholics, and protestants alike) were scandalized, yet again, at our observation of a Jewish holiday.
Last week, a friend and I were doing a bible study and we came across the subject of observing the Sabbath and making holy the day. We talked about special ways we can mark the time on the weekends, teaching our kids to sanctify each day, and Sunday in a special way.
Then we talked about the "Saturday" Sabbath of the Old Covenant, and how much value we found in remembering it and meditating on it.
Whenever I get on the topic of anything remotely Hebrew Catholic in origin, people get offended. As they did yesterday when I explained to my kids the virtues of knowing about and celebrating Sukkot. Meditation on this topic always brings me back to principle question we discussed last week in bible study... how to observe the Sunday Lord's Day, and how to remember the Jews in our religious observance, for example, on Saturdays, and not leave them behind. If we Christians truly believe that they were both chosen and veiled from Truth, we do well to both draw near and remember and teach the lessons which were unveiled to us... as well as be thankful and merciful, for it is by God's grace alone that we heard and recognized the saving gospel as Truth.
Then we talked about the "Saturday" Sabbath of the Old Covenant, and how much value we found in remembering it and meditating on it.
Whenever I get on the topic of anything remotely Hebrew Catholic in origin, people get offended. As they did yesterday when I explained to my kids the virtues of knowing about and celebrating Sukkot. Meditation on this topic always brings me back to principle question we discussed last week in bible study... how to observe the Sunday Lord's Day, and how to remember the Jews in our religious observance, for example, on Saturdays, and not leave them behind. If we Christians truly believe that they were both chosen and veiled from Truth, we do well to both draw near and remember and teach the lessons which were unveiled to us... as well as be thankful and merciful, for it is by God's grace alone that we heard and recognized the saving gospel as Truth.
The "scandalization" that occurs whenever I post about jewish stuff/ do jewish stuff usually comes in about three forms and from well meaning people, but I'll address them here before I move on to the real topic because by the time I'm done you might be asking the same questions:
1. WHY are you teaching your kids jewish stuff??? We are not jews, we are Catholic, and so jews are wrong and so are you for teaching your kids jewish things.
I can think of about ten or twelve different reasons why it's important to our family (or at least to ME, not as much to my husband) to include jewish traditions in teaching my children about life. I'll spare you the long version, and just say that the number one reason to do it is because of catechesis. At some point, some day, my kids will encounter Judaism. And I want them to understand why we chose Catholicism over Judaism, but I also want them to understand why Judaism MATTERS, something which escapes many, many Christians.
2. WHY are you teaching your kids jewish stuff?? We are jewish, you are not, you are CATHOLIC, and so you are wrong for stealing our traditions and calling them yours.
Among the many responses I could give, I think the most important one here would be: why? Does it harm Judaism for us to observe a Jewish holiday and say it is good and important to know and understand? In following the guidelines set forth by our wise Catholic Bishops, we make no attempt to "Christianize" the traditions and rituals, rather giving them to the children and our guests as "correctly" as we can forseeably put them out there. If, for example, we are unable to do it exactly, we explain the "proper" Jewish way to do it (for example here with our "tent" sukkah vs the branches which are called for as a roof.) If we had local families nearby who were interested in Jewish things, we solemnly attest to the fact that we would gladly participate in these things with "real" (eyeroll... it gets so complex as an issue) Jews and not using the hundreds of altered "Messianic" versions out there. We want our kids to understand that these things ARE Jewish, are not Christian, and that they POINT to the hope and God-given task of the Jewish People... a hope which we believe is fulfilled in our messiah, Yeshua.
3. WHY are you teaching your kids jewish stuff?? You are too weird/religious/zealous etc.
Yep. Yep, we are. Not gonna argue with that one. :)
OK, so with that out of the way, let's talk about our Sabbaths. I've already dissected the entire Sabbath issue here and here. Read those first for the background (and plan on it taking a while, haha)
So now, assuming that we understand that the LORD'S DAY (Sunday) is the Christian "Sabbath" requirement, as ordained by the Catholic Church, because of the resurrection of Our Lord, and assuming we understand that SATURDAY SABBATH KEEPING is a SIGN of the Jewish presence in the world and therefore important, whether Jews or Protestants or Catholics are doing it, because it reminds the world that God is here and has a plan for us... then we understand that for some people, SANCTIFYING the weekend within the context of our secular lives (and not just Saturday or Sunday) is important. Like us people-- the people in this house.
No matter what these people are doing to mark the time.... a special "something" on a Saturday that lifts the heart to God is a sign of the love of God for His Jewish people as well as a sign of obedience to the Church, in which we give honor to God's Chosen... Mary... a jewish girl who said YES to God. (there are so many interesting things about that-- like the fact that Jewish tradition calls the Sabbath "she" and says it's like an extra soul comes to visit that day.)
Like everything else, our wise Bishops have pointed out that while it is good for us to participate in this Jewish life to some degree, we are not to "Christianize" it on purpose, because we must remember that there IS an official prayer of the Church and that Judaism is the ROOT of that prayer and not the FRUIT. Therefore any "Jewish" observance by Catholics must be (a) for the purpose of preserving the Hebrew Culture in the world and in the Church and (b) for the purpose of participating as much as we can in the spiritual and communal life of the Jew, as a sign to the world of our solidarity with him. We must make every attempt not to scandalize the Jew nor the Catholic, knowing of course that both will be ... perplexed, at best. However, we who have been called must make every effort to persevere to preach the Gospel of life and salvation as a whole and complete message, beginning at Creation and moving through the story of the Hebrews and into the era of the Church, which is the New Israel. Despite that status, there is a special PLACE for the Jews in God's plan, and we do well to know it and understand it.
There are Hebrew Catholics all over the place who have various reasons for calling themselves so. Some are converts, some are descendants of jews, some are simply observing hebrew traditions in a Catholic context. The most important thing to remember is that the majority of Hebrew Catholics are Catholics living in Israel who, just as the Catholics living in Israel at the time of Christ and later, during the early church, are immersed in a Hebrew culture and life which is all around them, and who desire to maintain those things as expressions of their family traditions and values.
Just as we wouldn't ask a Southern French Catholic to cease dressing up in traditional costumes and baking olive oil breads, or a japanese Catholic to stop eating sushi and bowing to say hello, we wouldn't ask a Hebrew Catholic to stop baking Challah and start working on Saturdays. Aside from being a religious concept, it's just part of the culture.
Here in Fayetteville, I attend a Maronite parish where we serve Lebanese foods, hold lebanese-style parties, and play lebanese music. Many of us dress lebanese-style and speak Arabic and French. Our liturgy is in syriac-aramaic and lots of people who accidentally walk in wonder if we are some kind of muslim church.
My traditional Catholic friends and acquaintances do not take issue with the Maronite Rite and in fact, find it marvelous. I am not sure why those same traditional catholics, then, take issue with those of us who seek to maintain an authentically JEWISH culture/liturgy etc for those who have perfectly valid reasons for doing so.
All I know is.... it's kinda silly. Especially since, of all the cultures in the entire world, only the Jews can claim to have a literal life of tradition and family rooted in the worship of OUR God, and not the Pagan gods or secular ideas, at every turn. For theologians, Judaism is a signpost. It is a wonder. It is a delight. It is a gift, and a blessing! All other cultures and traditions have been sanctified by the Catholic Church but only the Jewish traditions have, from the beginning, been about God's business, twice sanctified when God came to earth as a Jewish child through a Jewish mother in a Jewish, observant home.
So, for those of us (and we are many!) who feel tugged in the direction of celebrating God's gift to us in the Jewish presence in the world (a gift which, like all his gifts, is completely free but not without responsibility!)
WHAT can we do to make sense out of our weekends? Some people light the Sabbath Lights on Saturday night, finding meaning in lighting their lights as their Jewish friends and family are finishing up Havdallah, the rite of closing (called the Rite of SEPARATION-- notice anything profound there??-- of the Jewish Sabbath.)
This is what my husband prefers I do.
Others find meaning in lighting their sabbath lights on Friday night, along with all the Jews in the world, and simply Sabbath keeping all weekend long. There is no "right" way to do it and the only danger is that you lose sight of the fact that SUNDAY is THE primary day on which you are required to attend mass, feast, and refrain from unnecessary servile work and money spending.
At first, my husband couldn't understand why I get all misty-eyed about silly little candle lighting ceremony. But think about it!! Catholics, you know how wonderful and amazing it is to light the advent candles.... the sabbath lights for Jews are like advent candles all year long, shining brightly with the hope that as they trust in God and repent, He will send His Messiah. It's powerful. Even more so when you know for a fact that that Messiah WAS and IS and IS TO COME.
Me? In obedience to my husband, I light the Sabbath lights with my kids on Saturdays. Maybe one day he will let me light them on Fridays, but I'm not holding my breath. :D
In solidarity with all Israel, though, I stop at every Friday sundown, gathering my children for a brief prayer before a lit candle in front of our statue of the Blessed Virgin.
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us, humbly prostrate before Your altar. We are Yours and Yours we wish to be;but to be more surely united with You, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Your most Sacred Heart. Many, indeed, have never known You; many too, despising Your precepts, have rejected You. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Your Sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord,not only of the faithful who have never forsaken You,but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned You; grant that they may quickly return to Your Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions,or whom discord keeps aloof,and call them back to the harbour of truth and unity of faith,so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd. Be You King also of all those who sit in the ancient superstition of the Gentiles, and refuse not to deliver them out of darkness into the light and kingdom of God. Grant, O Lord, to Your Church,assurance of freedom and immunity from harm;give peace and order to all nations,and make the Earth resound from pole to pole with one cry:Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation;to it be glory and honour forever. Amen. (for those Catholics in the know, we use the older Pre-Vat II version of this prayer ;))On Friday nights as the Sabbath begins, Jews CELEBRATE, as they are commanded to do. We Christians, however, fast and remember the death of Our Lord on the Cross. I find it profound that we who have so much in common and yet have such opposite commandments on this night, and it makes me solemn and prayerful.
Abstaining from meat and having a simple meal when your jewish friends and family are celebrating and eating a roast is a great way to remember that there IS a separation between Jews and Christians, and also a great way to remember the needs of the world... that we are called to be a healing balm, but that for us, that healing begins with the Cross, which is sorrow but also victory through our suffering. We offer up our Friday night sacrifice and lights for God's care of the Jewish people, and all those who haven't yet come to the Light of Christ.
On Saturdays, Jews attend Sabbath services and remain at home, celebrating and resting and soaking in the Sabbath. Some Catholic things to do on a Saturday might be confession, attending mass, and praying the rosary in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary who we celebrate on Saturdays. In the Secular world, Saturday is a family day-- a day to go to Lowe's, or take a walk, or grill outside.
Our Family combines a prayerful, restful, family day with anything we might "HAVE" to do in order to rightly observe the Lord's Day the next day. We tend to take it easy and avoid things like errand running or mindless stuff, choosing instead the things which bond us as a family and require little or no work. (without getting legalistic about it.... sometimes Saturday is the only day you get to mow the lawn.)
We go to confession, attend mass, reminded that at sunset as we are lighting the two candles at the altar, our Jewish friends are finishing up Havdalah. Because we did as much prep work as humanly possible on Friday, our weekends are free of chores and errands altogether, but we do have to work a little... giving the kids a bath to prepare them for Sunday, studying a lesson we missed in Catechism that week, or baking the next day's breads. Saturdays pass quickly in this peacefully busy calm and enjoyable prep day in which we simply all enjoying BEING with no real agenda and only the ordinary work of living to do. We usually find we have time to invite friends for dinner (and note that for Catholics, the Lord's Day starts the Saturday evening... just in time to celebrate!)
Both Saturday and Sunday mornings are reserved for "special" breakfasts and both Saturday and Sunday lunches are effortless, at home, and enjoyable. Both Saturday and Sunday evenings are celebratory and enjoyable, requiring a minimum of effort for a maximum "homey" impact. I bake Challah on Fridays and French bread on Saturdays. We reserve Sundays for our family as much as possible, denying people the hospitality we try to give as much as we can during the week. Sundays we re-charge, enjoy each other alone, and take some much-needed time to be together doing ... nothing. Like taking a family nap, a favorite Sunday activity. We aren't allowed to buy and sell, so we don't go out to eat if we can avoid it and we certainly don't run errands. Sundays are family days, plain and simple.
... and in this way, our whole weekend passes like a soothing balm for our souls. From sunset Friday to Sunrise Monday, our house is peace (as much as possible) and in a special way, we are always reminded that we are not alone walking this earth.
We share it with others and it is our responsibility to do our part to cooperate with God and bring healing to this world through our work and actions.
Co-incidentally, that is a highly Jewish concept. And it is good. :)
Shabbat Shalom.
For more information about other people who live like we do, please visit the website of the association of hebrew catholics.
We share it with others and it is our responsibility to do our part to cooperate with God and bring healing to this world through our work and actions.
Co-incidentally, that is a highly Jewish concept. And it is good. :)
Shabbat Shalom.
For more information about other people who live like we do, please visit the website of the association of hebrew catholics.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Not so Wordless Wednesdays- On Talking. ;)
And when you can no longer dwell in the solitude of your heart you live in your lips, and sound is a diversion and a pastime.
And in much of your talking, thinking is half murdered.
For thought is a bird of space, that in a cage of words may indeed unfold its wings but cannot fly.
There are those among you who seek the talkative through fear of being alone.
The silence of aloneness reveals to their eyes their naked selves and they would escape.
And there are those who talk, and without knowledge or forethought reveal a truth which they themselves do not understand.
And there are those who have the truth within them, but they tell it not in words.
In the bosom of such as these the spirit dwells in rhythmic silence.
When you meet your friend on the roadside or in the market place, let the spirit in you move your lips and direct your tongue.
Let the voice within your voice speak to the ear of his ear;
For his soul will keep the truth of your heart as the taste of the wine is remembered
When the colour is forgotten and the vessel is no more.
And in much of your talking, thinking is half murdered.
For thought is a bird of space, that in a cage of words may indeed unfold its wings but cannot fly.
There are those among you who seek the talkative through fear of being alone.
The silence of aloneness reveals to their eyes their naked selves and they would escape.
And there are those who talk, and without knowledge or forethought reveal a truth which they themselves do not understand.
And there are those who have the truth within them, but they tell it not in words.
In the bosom of such as these the spirit dwells in rhythmic silence.
When you meet your friend on the roadside or in the market place, let the spirit in you move your lips and direct your tongue.
Let the voice within your voice speak to the ear of his ear;
For his soul will keep the truth of your heart as the taste of the wine is remembered
When the colour is forgotten and the vessel is no more.
"Vous parlez quand vous cessez d'être en paix avec vos pensées;
Et quand vous vous lassez d'habiter la solitude de votre coeur vous allez vivre sur vos lèvres, et les sons qui s'en échappent vous servent de divertissement et de passe-temps.
Et souvent vous noyez la moitié de vos pensées sous les flots de vos paroles.
Car bien que la pensée soit un oiseau éthéré, qui pourrait déployer ses ailes dans une cage de mots mais ne saurait s'envoler.
Certains d'entre vous recherchent les bavards par crainte de rester seuls.
Comme ils se sentent mis à nu par le silence de la solitude, ils préfèrent alors le fuir.
Et d'autres parmi vous qui parlent, et sans le savoir ni le prévoir de leur bouche sort une vérité dont ils ignorent la portée.
Il en est également qui portent la vérité en eux-mêmes, et la transmettent sans passer par la parole.
C'est en leur sein que se love l'esprit en silence rythmé.
Quand vous rencontrez un ami au bord de la route ou sur la place du marché, que l'esprit en vous anime vos lèvres et inspire votre langue.
Que la voix en votre voix parle à l'oreille de son oreille ;
Car son âme gardera la vérité de votre coeur comme le palais se souvient du bouquet du vin.
Même si sa couleur est oubliée, même si la coupe n'est plus".
-- Khalil Gibran, Le Prophète / The Prophet
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Twaddle Free Tuesdays: The princess and the kiss
Today I thought it would be good to recommend the book "The Princess and the Kiss," by Jennie Bishop.
It is a fairy tale that shoots an arrow straight into the heart of children's questions about their purpose and their bodies... teaching that purity is the most special and beloved gift we are given and can give, if we are called, to another.
Without being placating or overly dramatic (or weird... you know how books about purity can be weird??) it succeeds at weaving wonder into the mind of the reader when we meditate on what a special thing we have and are.
Although it is written by a protestant and Vision Forumer, it does NOT contain the message that our purity is a gift for our future husband. Rather, it contains the message that our purity is God's gift to US and ours to give away as we choose, with wisdom, or to keep, if we are so called.
The book contains many beautiful illustrations which keep my kids enthralled at every reading, and is so sweet that it amazes everyone, making kids go : "WOW!" and grown-ups cry.
If you do decide to get it, perhaps you could buy an extra copy for your school's library or one of your children's friends. It just might be the best twelve bucks you can spend on your child.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Mémoires d'un temps passé
Some days, music says it better than my words ever could.
Other days... more than just a song, a music video embodies an experience or emotion I've had... and it moves me.
Like this one.
Enjoy. (You probably already do, I'm always the last to know when it comes to new music, it seems.)
Other days... more than just a song, a music video embodies an experience or emotion I've had... and it moves me.
Like this one.
Enjoy. (You probably already do, I'm always the last to know when it comes to new music, it seems.)
Mama Mondays- Teaching Reading the Charlotte Mason Way
I compiled this little guide to teaching reading the Charlotte Mason way using Mason's work herself, plus suggestions I pulled from Ambleside and SCM, because I am interested in Charlotte Mason's methods and I am interested in schooling, as much as possible, AS the teacher, and not as the FACILITATOR. It also helps that this costs... nothing.
What I love about Charlotte's Methods is that she has the same goals as I do in the education of my child, and that she provides for me the methods to teach them myself. Since I've never taught anyone to read, I lack confidence in myself to do it. But since I love reading myself, and I know my child better than anyone else, I am convinced that I am my child's best teacher. What remains is for me to learn the tools necessary to teach her reading-- which, unlike an art or a science is an act as natural as learning to run or talk.
There are lots of programs out there we can buy to teach a child to read. Books abound. Series and sets. Homeschooling kits. But really, all you need is Charlotte's method, a set of index cards and markers, and later, a printout of the phonics rules which you can find online if you don't know them.
Don't waste your money.
In our family, we are doing Petty School reading from the CLAA because we want our kids to learn to read Latin alongside French and English from the start. But if that is not your goal, this method suffices to give your child the strong start in reading s/he needs in whatever language you choose. I am using this method alongside their work in the CLAA Petty School because my children aren't connecting to their CLAA lessons since they are very long and my children are very young. For CLAAers who are curious how we are doing it, I am cutting the lessons in half and then doing memory work for about 20 minutes with them. Then we have a big huge nature study or some sort of physical work that distracts them completely, and THEN we do some reading practice using CM methods. (moving the cards around on the floor, building vocabulary)
If you're wondering if it works, my five year old literally asks if she can write/read with me at every opportunity. In the mornings, she refuses to watch bible shows with the kids and instead asks for reading time with me. It's working-- and it truly is delightful.
I am quite sure that the CLAA would disapprove of my "improving" on their methods using CM. However,as a parent, I can tell you this: If I tell my three year old son to make his bed, he will do it, but he won't like it and may grumble under his breath.
If I tell my son to come to me, I put his construction uniform and hat on, give him a tool belt, and tell him: "Son, I've got some work for you. I need you to make your bed." he will not only make his bed, but execute it with glee, pay close attention to his work, and proudly come and ask me for more work when he is done.
There is great wisdom in speaking the child's language, I'm discovering. Neither method encourages SILLINESS, which I believe is an early demonstration of the foolishness inherent in human nature. Both encourage serious work. However, one gives the child the sensation of a heavy burden, the other gives him joy. To me, it trains him either way, but one respects his PERSONHOOD... his human dignity.... and his station and place in life.
I find that Charlotte's insistence on being patient and persistently whetting the child's appetite for learning but not overloading him/her is brilliant in application. So are her ideas about short lessons and attention. Most importantly, I found that her focus in the early years on habits and time spent out of doors and useful play are critical to the success of the child in his studies.
My kids LOVE school... and that's because I alternate "drill and kill" memory work with these wonderful, playful methods which feed their interest and curiosity and character. The first word my daughter SPOKE was "Bible" because it was a word she heard and used. The first word my son spoke was "danger." Again, a word he heard and used. The first word my daughter read and wrote perfectly was "OCEAN." She was interested in the ocean, seahorses in particular, and couldn't wait to read and write it. Now she finds PLEASURE in reading and writing, and not just DUTY, and that is critical to us because we want our children to be enthusiastic in their studies.
Remember that in order to teach a child to read, you must read and speak to your child in the early years as much as possible. You must also train them in good habits, which will help them with things like obedience and attention, necessary for the steps to reading.
Both the CLAA and Charlotte Mason will insist on this : slow and steady wins the race. Take your time, don't pressure the little ones, and enjoy it together. Demand MASTERY before moving on to the next step. And be diligent to practice a little bit each day.
You can download my little guide for free here and get started. At the end, I've placed the poem The Violet as a suggested poem for beginning readers at the end all ready to cut up and use. Happy teaching!
What I love about Charlotte's Methods is that she has the same goals as I do in the education of my child, and that she provides for me the methods to teach them myself. Since I've never taught anyone to read, I lack confidence in myself to do it. But since I love reading myself, and I know my child better than anyone else, I am convinced that I am my child's best teacher. What remains is for me to learn the tools necessary to teach her reading-- which, unlike an art or a science is an act as natural as learning to run or talk.
There are lots of programs out there we can buy to teach a child to read. Books abound. Series and sets. Homeschooling kits. But really, all you need is Charlotte's method, a set of index cards and markers, and later, a printout of the phonics rules which you can find online if you don't know them.
Don't waste your money.
In our family, we are doing Petty School reading from the CLAA because we want our kids to learn to read Latin alongside French and English from the start. But if that is not your goal, this method suffices to give your child the strong start in reading s/he needs in whatever language you choose. I am using this method alongside their work in the CLAA Petty School because my children aren't connecting to their CLAA lessons since they are very long and my children are very young. For CLAAers who are curious how we are doing it, I am cutting the lessons in half and then doing memory work for about 20 minutes with them. Then we have a big huge nature study or some sort of physical work that distracts them completely, and THEN we do some reading practice using CM methods. (moving the cards around on the floor, building vocabulary)
If you're wondering if it works, my five year old literally asks if she can write/read with me at every opportunity. In the mornings, she refuses to watch bible shows with the kids and instead asks for reading time with me. It's working-- and it truly is delightful.
I am quite sure that the CLAA would disapprove of my "improving" on their methods using CM. However,as a parent, I can tell you this: If I tell my three year old son to make his bed, he will do it, but he won't like it and may grumble under his breath.
If I tell my son to come to me, I put his construction uniform and hat on, give him a tool belt, and tell him: "Son, I've got some work for you. I need you to make your bed." he will not only make his bed, but execute it with glee, pay close attention to his work, and proudly come and ask me for more work when he is done.
There is great wisdom in speaking the child's language, I'm discovering. Neither method encourages SILLINESS, which I believe is an early demonstration of the foolishness inherent in human nature. Both encourage serious work. However, one gives the child the sensation of a heavy burden, the other gives him joy. To me, it trains him either way, but one respects his PERSONHOOD... his human dignity.... and his station and place in life.
I find that Charlotte's insistence on being patient and persistently whetting the child's appetite for learning but not overloading him/her is brilliant in application. So are her ideas about short lessons and attention. Most importantly, I found that her focus in the early years on habits and time spent out of doors and useful play are critical to the success of the child in his studies.
My kids LOVE school... and that's because I alternate "drill and kill" memory work with these wonderful, playful methods which feed their interest and curiosity and character. The first word my daughter SPOKE was "Bible" because it was a word she heard and used. The first word my son spoke was "danger." Again, a word he heard and used. The first word my daughter read and wrote perfectly was "OCEAN." She was interested in the ocean, seahorses in particular, and couldn't wait to read and write it. Now she finds PLEASURE in reading and writing, and not just DUTY, and that is critical to us because we want our children to be enthusiastic in their studies.
Remember that in order to teach a child to read, you must read and speak to your child in the early years as much as possible. You must also train them in good habits, which will help them with things like obedience and attention, necessary for the steps to reading.
Both the CLAA and Charlotte Mason will insist on this : slow and steady wins the race. Take your time, don't pressure the little ones, and enjoy it together. Demand MASTERY before moving on to the next step. And be diligent to practice a little bit each day.
You can download my little guide for free here and get started. At the end, I've placed the poem The Violet as a suggested poem for beginning readers at the end all ready to cut up and use. Happy teaching!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Happy feast of Our Lady of the Rosary!!
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
971 "All generations will call me blessed": "The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship." The Church rightly honors "The Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of 'Mother of God', to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs...This special devotion...differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration." The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an "epitome of the whole Gospel," express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.
1674 Besides sacramental liturgy and sacramentals, catechesis must take into account the forms of piety and popular devotions among the faithful. The religious sense of the Christian people has always found expression in various forms of piety surrounding the Church's sacramental life, such as the veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, pilgrimages, processions, the stations of the cross, religious dances, the rosary, medals, etc.
2678 Medieval piety in the West developed the prayer of the rosary as a popular substitute for the Liturgy of the Hours. In the East, the litany called the Akathistos and the Paraclesis remained closer to the choral office in the Byzantine churches, while the Armenian, Coptic, and Syriac traditions preferred popular hymns of St. Ephrem or St Gregory of Narek, the tradition of prayer is basically the same.
2708 Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to mediate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.
RECITATION OF THE HOLY ROSARY
MEDITATION OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
MEDITATION OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
Pontifical Shrine of Pompeii
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood,
Dear men and women religious,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Before entering the Shrine to recite the Holy Rosary with you, I paused briefly before the tomb of Bl. Bartolo Longo and, praying, I asked myself: "Where did this great apostle of Mary find the energy and perseverance he needed to bring such an impressive work, now known across the world, to completion? Was it not in the Rosary, which he accepted as a true gift from Our Lady's Heart?" Yes, that truly was how it happened! The experience of the Saints bears witness to it: this popular Marian prayer is a precious spiritual means to grow in intimacy with Jesus, and to learn at the school of the Blessed Virgin always to fulfil the divine will. It is contemplation of the mysteries of Christ in spiritual union with Mary as the Servant of God Paul VI stressed in his Apostolic Exhortation Marialis cultus (n. 46) and as my venerable Predecessor John Paul II abundantly illustrated in his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae that today I once again present in spirit to the Community of Pompeii and to each one of you. You who live and work here in Pompeii, especially you, dear priests, men and women religious and lay people involved in this unique portion of the Church, are all called to make Bl. Bartolo Longo's charism your own and to become, to the extent and in the way that God grants to each one, authentic apostles of the Rosary.
To be apostles of the Rosary, however, it is necessary to experience personally the beauty and depth of this prayer which is simple and accessible to everyone. It is first of all necessary to let the Blessed Virgin take one by the hand to contemplate the Face of Christ: a joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious Face. Those who, like Mary and with her, cherish and ponder the mysteries of Jesus assiduously, increasingly assimilate his sentiments and are conformed to him. In this regard, I would like to quote a beautiful thought of Bl. Bartolo Longo: "Just as two friends, frequently in each other's company, tend to develop similar habits", he wrote, "so too, by holding familiar converse with Jesus and the Blessed Virgin, by meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary and by living the same life in Holy Communion, we can become, to the extent of our lowliness, similar to them and can learn from these supreme models a life of humility, poverty, hiddenness, patience and perfection" (I Quindici Sabati del Santissimo Rosario, 27th edition, Pompeii, 1916, p. 27: cited in Rosarium Virginis Mariae, n. 15).
The Rosary is a school of contemplation and silence. At first glance, it could seem a prayer that accumulates words, therefore difficult to reconcile with the silence that is rightly recommended for meditation and contemplation. In fact, this cadent repetition of the Hail Mary does not disturb inner silence but indeed both demands and nourishes it. Similarly to what happens for the Psalms when one prays the Liturgy of the Hours, the silence surfaces through the words and sentences, not as emptiness, but rather as the presence of an ultimate meaning that transcends the words themselves and through them speaks to the heart. Thus, in reciting the Hail Mary, we must be careful that our voices do not "cover" the voice of God who always speaks through the silence like the "still small voice" of a gentle breeze (1 Kgs 19: 12). Then how important it is to foster this silence full of God, both in one's personal recitation and in its recitation with the community! Even when the Rosary is prayed, as today, by great assemblies, and as you do in this Shrine every day, it must be perceived as a contemplative prayer. And this cannot happen without an atmosphere of inner silence.
I would like to add a further reflection concerning the Word of God in the Rosary, particularly appropriate in this period in which the Synod of Bishops is taking place on the theme: "The Word of God in the life and mission of the Church". If Christian contemplation cannot leave the Word of God out of consideration, if it is to be a contemplative prayer, the Rosary must always emerge from the silence of the heart as a response to the Word, after the model of Mary's prayer. Seen clearly, the Rosary is completely interwoven with scriptural elements. First of all there is the enunciation of the mystery, preferably made, as it has been today, with words taken from the Bible. The Our Father follows; by giving the prayer a "vertical" orientation, the soul of who recites the rosary is opened to the correct filial attitude in accordance with the Lord's invitation: "When you pray say: Father..." (Lk 11: 2). The first part of the Hail Mary, also taken from the Gospel, lets us listen again each time to the words that God addressed to the Virgin through the Angel and to the words of her cousin Elizabeth's blessing. The second part of the Hail Mary resounds like the answer of children who, in addressing supplications to their Mother, do nothing other than express their own adherence to the saving plan revealed by God. Thus the thought of those who pray remains ever anchored to Scripture and to the mysteries presented in it.
Lastly, remembering that today we are celebrating World Mission Sunday, I wish to recall the apostolic dimension of the Rosary, a dimension that Blessed Bartolo Longo lived intensely, drawing inspiration from it to carry out on this earth so many charitable initiatives and works of human and social promotion. Furthermore, he wanted this Shrine to be open to the whole world as a centre of outreach of the prayer of the Rosary and as a place of intercession for peace among peoples. Dear friends, I would like to reinforce both of these aims: the apostolate of charity and prayer for peace, and I wish to confirm and entrust them once again to your spiritual and pastoral commitment. Following the example and with the support of the venerable Founder, never tire of working with enthusiasm in this part of the Lord's vineyard for which Our Lady has shown a special fondness.
Dear brothers and sisters, the time has come to take my leave of you and of this beautiful Shrine. I thank you for your warm welcome and especially for your prayers. I thank the Archbishop Prelate and Pontifical Delegate, his collaborators and those who worked to prepare my Visit in the best possible way. I must leave you, but my heart remains close to this region and to this community. I entrust you all to the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary and I cordially impart the Apostolic Blessing to each one.
© Copyright 2008 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood,
Dear men and women religious,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Before entering the Shrine to recite the Holy Rosary with you, I paused briefly before the tomb of Bl. Bartolo Longo and, praying, I asked myself: "Where did this great apostle of Mary find the energy and perseverance he needed to bring such an impressive work, now known across the world, to completion? Was it not in the Rosary, which he accepted as a true gift from Our Lady's Heart?" Yes, that truly was how it happened! The experience of the Saints bears witness to it: this popular Marian prayer is a precious spiritual means to grow in intimacy with Jesus, and to learn at the school of the Blessed Virgin always to fulfil the divine will. It is contemplation of the mysteries of Christ in spiritual union with Mary as the Servant of God Paul VI stressed in his Apostolic Exhortation Marialis cultus (n. 46) and as my venerable Predecessor John Paul II abundantly illustrated in his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae that today I once again present in spirit to the Community of Pompeii and to each one of you. You who live and work here in Pompeii, especially you, dear priests, men and women religious and lay people involved in this unique portion of the Church, are all called to make Bl. Bartolo Longo's charism your own and to become, to the extent and in the way that God grants to each one, authentic apostles of the Rosary.
To be apostles of the Rosary, however, it is necessary to experience personally the beauty and depth of this prayer which is simple and accessible to everyone. It is first of all necessary to let the Blessed Virgin take one by the hand to contemplate the Face of Christ: a joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious Face. Those who, like Mary and with her, cherish and ponder the mysteries of Jesus assiduously, increasingly assimilate his sentiments and are conformed to him. In this regard, I would like to quote a beautiful thought of Bl. Bartolo Longo: "Just as two friends, frequently in each other's company, tend to develop similar habits", he wrote, "so too, by holding familiar converse with Jesus and the Blessed Virgin, by meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary and by living the same life in Holy Communion, we can become, to the extent of our lowliness, similar to them and can learn from these supreme models a life of humility, poverty, hiddenness, patience and perfection" (I Quindici Sabati del Santissimo Rosario, 27th edition, Pompeii, 1916, p. 27: cited in Rosarium Virginis Mariae, n. 15).
The Rosary is a school of contemplation and silence. At first glance, it could seem a prayer that accumulates words, therefore difficult to reconcile with the silence that is rightly recommended for meditation and contemplation. In fact, this cadent repetition of the Hail Mary does not disturb inner silence but indeed both demands and nourishes it. Similarly to what happens for the Psalms when one prays the Liturgy of the Hours, the silence surfaces through the words and sentences, not as emptiness, but rather as the presence of an ultimate meaning that transcends the words themselves and through them speaks to the heart. Thus, in reciting the Hail Mary, we must be careful that our voices do not "cover" the voice of God who always speaks through the silence like the "still small voice" of a gentle breeze (1 Kgs 19: 12). Then how important it is to foster this silence full of God, both in one's personal recitation and in its recitation with the community! Even when the Rosary is prayed, as today, by great assemblies, and as you do in this Shrine every day, it must be perceived as a contemplative prayer. And this cannot happen without an atmosphere of inner silence.
I would like to add a further reflection concerning the Word of God in the Rosary, particularly appropriate in this period in which the Synod of Bishops is taking place on the theme: "The Word of God in the life and mission of the Church". If Christian contemplation cannot leave the Word of God out of consideration, if it is to be a contemplative prayer, the Rosary must always emerge from the silence of the heart as a response to the Word, after the model of Mary's prayer. Seen clearly, the Rosary is completely interwoven with scriptural elements. First of all there is the enunciation of the mystery, preferably made, as it has been today, with words taken from the Bible. The Our Father follows; by giving the prayer a "vertical" orientation, the soul of who recites the rosary is opened to the correct filial attitude in accordance with the Lord's invitation: "When you pray say: Father..." (Lk 11: 2). The first part of the Hail Mary, also taken from the Gospel, lets us listen again each time to the words that God addressed to the Virgin through the Angel and to the words of her cousin Elizabeth's blessing. The second part of the Hail Mary resounds like the answer of children who, in addressing supplications to their Mother, do nothing other than express their own adherence to the saving plan revealed by God. Thus the thought of those who pray remains ever anchored to Scripture and to the mysteries presented in it.
Lastly, remembering that today we are celebrating World Mission Sunday, I wish to recall the apostolic dimension of the Rosary, a dimension that Blessed Bartolo Longo lived intensely, drawing inspiration from it to carry out on this earth so many charitable initiatives and works of human and social promotion. Furthermore, he wanted this Shrine to be open to the whole world as a centre of outreach of the prayer of the Rosary and as a place of intercession for peace among peoples. Dear friends, I would like to reinforce both of these aims: the apostolate of charity and prayer for peace, and I wish to confirm and entrust them once again to your spiritual and pastoral commitment. Following the example and with the support of the venerable Founder, never tire of working with enthusiasm in this part of the Lord's vineyard for which Our Lady has shown a special fondness.
Dear brothers and sisters, the time has come to take my leave of you and of this beautiful Shrine. I thank you for your warm welcome and especially for your prayers. I thank the Archbishop Prelate and Pontifical Delegate, his collaborators and those who worked to prepare my Visit in the best possible way. I must leave you, but my heart remains close to this region and to this community. I entrust you all to the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary and I cordially impart the Apostolic Blessing to each one.
© Copyright 2008 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Freaky Fridays: demonic manifestations in church
Below you will find a few videos demonstrating what I personally believe to be demonic manifestations in church settings. The makers of these videos clearly have some personal issues with the people in question... I do not. Other than the little research I have done on these pastors and this particular revival, I don't know anything about these people and I'm not qualified to have an opinion about their intentions or otherwise.
I am using these videos because I want to focus on one particular aspect of demonic manifestation in church-- that of demonstrations of demonic activity which is often mistaken for activity of the Holy Spirit-- for a reason I will describe below. For me, these are painful to watch because I can always yes and amen MOST of what is said. Then there is a little tiny "white" lie.... a little something tweaks my spirit.... a little false mixed in with a lot of truth.
I've been present on many Sundays in many places where things not too far from this have occurred. Many, many times, in worship in very solid, pleasant churches, I have encountered "worshippers" who I believe were actually manifesting. I have prayed for them to be delivered right then and there. Sometimes, I have seen deliverance come, quite unexpectedly. In a Charismatic gathering, you never really KNOW for sure, except in your own spirit, what "spirit" the person to your right and to your left has actually invited in. But all of this is subjective. We do not test spirits by gut feelings but by the Word of God.
It isn't necessary to discuss that too deeply here.. anyone with an ounce of discernment can see for themselves that something is up. My old pastor Britt Merrick had wise words indeed when he used to tell us: "If it's WEIRD, it's NOT GOD."
On a practical level, this activity simultaneously (and successfully, in the eyes of many people) discredits God, discredits the Catholic Church (the demonic force acting on the first person has him making the sign of the cross and blessing his congregation.) discredits the Charismatic movement (which I believe-- and the Church affirms-- is a LEGITIMATE move of God) and discredits the integrity of the persons worshipping here.
However, these give me great consolation. There is evident need for a magesterium when we consider the implications of "no-holds-barred" church like this. There is great wisdom in the Catholic system, and protection. I'm thankful to be a part of the Catholic Church.
I encourage you to consider that these videos in no way represent the Charismatic movement, but only an offshoot and branch of it which clearly demonstrates the need for wise Church leadership. Please keep in mind also that I do NOT agree on a theological level with the commentary and subtitles in these videos. I do speak in tongues, believe in the miraculous gifts, and believe in the communion of saints, etc.
However, when I watch these through the lens of my own past experiences with exorcism and deliverance, I am quite certain I am not seeing God at work.
As a warning to you, these videos are extremely creepy, and they will leave you.... ill at ease. Should you choose to watch them, I pray they will give you a new depth of understanding when it comes to the operation and activity of our enemy within the circles of "Christianity."
NOTE: THIS IS A RESPONSE TO THE BELOW COMMENTS. Thanks for reading!
I have some misgivings about the way many people IN the Renewal, especially at this time, go about doing what they do. I recently became involved with the Renewal in our Diocese completely by accident and discovered that I simultaneously felt very at home and very uncomfortable. :D
I'm still working through that, but what it comes down to is that I firmly believe in the Charismatic gifts, have seen them and partaken of them, have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and can attest to the fact that it was a DIFFERENT and more fruitful experience than any of my experiences with the sacraments initially-- like an "unlocking" of sacramental grace. To clarify that statement: there is nothing else NECESSARY than Sacramental Grace, but a deep, personal awareness of the grace received is a grace in itself that I find indispensable.
There was a "time before" and a "time after" this experience for me, and it has remained ever since.
On a theological level I am in agreement that the Renewal is a work of God and that it was EXTREMELY timely with regards to Church history. On a personal level I get frustrated at meetings and gatherings of the local Renewal because I hear things that demonstrate a misunderstanding of the POINT of the Charismata. I hear people call out things like.... "We're Catholic, that's what the problem is..." or "the church is holding us back." They demonstrate a misunderstanding of the perfect and necessary, HEALTHY tension between the work of the Holy Spirit and the prudence and rigidity of the Magesterium. So while I believe wholeheartedly in the Renewal and participate in it within the life of the Church, I am wary of the individual manifestations of the Charismatic gifts and gatherings OF the Renewal, mainly because I've noticed that there are many people within the movement who come seeking the GIFTS and not necessarily the God who gives them.
There is a three day gathering in Raleigh this month that I'm hoping to attend to see more and pray more about. Not sure if I will make it unless I can find someone to go with me.
Colleen,
In the past I have spoken with tongues in a congregational setting and had someone with the gift of interpretations interpret, under the oversight of a pastor, when I was a protestant.
Nowadays, I pray in tongues in my private prayer, and it sometimes comes out when I am with others who pray in tongues, just in private prayer. It is not "gibberish" as it is very clearly A language, but I do not know what language it might be. I have often thought that it resembled a combination of hebrew and arabic.
I have been in the presence of Christians who began to pray in tongues and who were understood by other people in the congregation because they were speaking a native dialect of theirs which the people themselves had never heard before. It is extraordinary to witness. I have NEVER in my life felt that tongues were "coming out" when I was in a liturgical worship setting. Only in my private discussions with God and in my conversations with Him among friends. I don't go into prayer ever with the intention of speaking in tongues, but sometimes it just comes out.
When I returned to the Church, my biggest problem was that I have SEEN the fruit of baptism of the holy spirit in the lives of people who change and suddenly LIVE for God. I could find very few people around me in the Catholic Church who had shared this experience.... most of them were seeking holiness via what I would have at that time called dry channels.... reading more prayers each day, making an examination of conscience twice a day, something like that. These things can be very fruitful, but only if they aren't looking to "do more" but rather "receive more." The issue is building a personal relationship with Christ and His Church over religiosity or empty actions. We receive grace when we come to communion worthily whether we are aware of the amazingness of the eucharist or not.
The main difference is that when we come AWARE of God's greatness, we become filled to overflowing.
Reading Fr Cantelamessa, (preacher to the papal household during JPII) especially his book "Sober Intoxication of the Spirit," and Bishop Cordes' "Call to Holiness: reflections on the charismatic renewal" were instrumental in helping me prayerfully discern what was what here.
I'm the first to admit that I find a dryness in the PERSONAL LIVES of most traditional Catholics who reject the Renewal's lives that I personally find unbearable. On the other hand, I'm also the first to admit that I find a "falseness" and "emotivity" in the personal lives of those who embrace the Renewal but reject the traditional. To me, there is a healthy middle ground, and that's where I always want to be.
When it comes to my personal prayer? It is more "Charismatic" than anything else-- I feel a kinship and bond and fellowship with Charismatics in prayer that I do not feel when I'm praying a rosary with an SSPXer. :D Nevertheless, I embrace the traditions of the Church and especially the Extraordinary Form of the Liturgy, which I believe is LIFE GIVING. I cannot stand the idea of going to a "Charismatic mass"-- To me, liturgy is about something totally different.
There is a time and place for the Charismatic gifts but it is not IN MASS, because in MASS our eyes are on the Cross and Resurrection.
OUTSIDE of Mass our eyes should be on bringing the Cross and Resurrection to others, and that is where the gifts come in handy, ESPECIALLY the Charismatic gifts.
I am a recent revert, it has been less than five years, so I expect that my understanding will evolve over the years. However, I simply CAN NOT discredit the Charismatic gifts-- A, because they are approved in the Church and B, because I have seen their fruit in action and glorified God.
One of the largest charismatic gifts in operation in my own life is discernment of spirits. I "sense" the darkness around me as a tangible presence and am drawn to prayer when others around me haven't noticed a thing. God often places people in my life who struggle with deeply demonic (extraordinary activity of the devil) issues in their lives. I myself was exorcised at one time. Because of that, I am - -as I mentioned before-- simultaneously WARY of the overemphasis placed on the Charismatic gifts by some, and sympathetic to their reasoning. It is my firm belief due to my own experiences with the gift of tongues, the gift of discernment of spirits, and the gift of word of knowledge, none of which I have asked for our sought out-- among others-- that we must always SEEK the Holy Spirit and ask Him to show up, and SUBMIT our experiences to those in rightful authority over us. Without one, we cannot have the other.
Love to hear your thoughts! <3
I am using these videos because I want to focus on one particular aspect of demonic manifestation in church-- that of demonstrations of demonic activity which is often mistaken for activity of the Holy Spirit-- for a reason I will describe below. For me, these are painful to watch because I can always yes and amen MOST of what is said. Then there is a little tiny "white" lie.... a little something tweaks my spirit.... a little false mixed in with a lot of truth.
I've been present on many Sundays in many places where things not too far from this have occurred. Many, many times, in worship in very solid, pleasant churches, I have encountered "worshippers" who I believe were actually manifesting. I have prayed for them to be delivered right then and there. Sometimes, I have seen deliverance come, quite unexpectedly. In a Charismatic gathering, you never really KNOW for sure, except in your own spirit, what "spirit" the person to your right and to your left has actually invited in. But all of this is subjective. We do not test spirits by gut feelings but by the Word of God.
For God is not a God of confusion (disorder/chaos) but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints. - 1 Corinthians 14:33.On a greater level, I would say that these manifestations are all a part of a particular spiritual force with a particular goal, evidenced by the fact that-- just as once upon a time in upstate New York a mysterious apparition birthed three similar, yet different religions (Jehova's Witnesses, Latter Day Saints, and Seventh Day Adventists-- all of whom loathe the Catholic Church)-- a similiar situation occurs frequently in charismatic circles where a geographic location hosts many similar manifestations OR where similar manifestations occur rapidly in a short time span but in many different geographical locations, as in this case with the Toronto Blessing and Lakeland Revival.
It isn't necessary to discuss that too deeply here.. anyone with an ounce of discernment can see for themselves that something is up. My old pastor Britt Merrick had wise words indeed when he used to tell us: "If it's WEIRD, it's NOT GOD."
On a practical level, this activity simultaneously (and successfully, in the eyes of many people) discredits God, discredits the Catholic Church (the demonic force acting on the first person has him making the sign of the cross and blessing his congregation.) discredits the Charismatic movement (which I believe-- and the Church affirms-- is a LEGITIMATE move of God) and discredits the integrity of the persons worshipping here.
However, these give me great consolation. There is evident need for a magesterium when we consider the implications of "no-holds-barred" church like this. There is great wisdom in the Catholic system, and protection. I'm thankful to be a part of the Catholic Church.
I encourage you to consider that these videos in no way represent the Charismatic movement, but only an offshoot and branch of it which clearly demonstrates the need for wise Church leadership. Please keep in mind also that I do NOT agree on a theological level with the commentary and subtitles in these videos. I do speak in tongues, believe in the miraculous gifts, and believe in the communion of saints, etc.
However, when I watch these through the lens of my own past experiences with exorcism and deliverance, I am quite certain I am not seeing God at work.
As a warning to you, these videos are extremely creepy, and they will leave you.... ill at ease. Should you choose to watch them, I pray they will give you a new depth of understanding when it comes to the operation and activity of our enemy within the circles of "Christianity."
NOTE: THIS IS A RESPONSE TO THE BELOW COMMENTS. Thanks for reading!
I have some misgivings about the way many people IN the Renewal, especially at this time, go about doing what they do. I recently became involved with the Renewal in our Diocese completely by accident and discovered that I simultaneously felt very at home and very uncomfortable. :D
I'm still working through that, but what it comes down to is that I firmly believe in the Charismatic gifts, have seen them and partaken of them, have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and can attest to the fact that it was a DIFFERENT and more fruitful experience than any of my experiences with the sacraments initially-- like an "unlocking" of sacramental grace. To clarify that statement: there is nothing else NECESSARY than Sacramental Grace, but a deep, personal awareness of the grace received is a grace in itself that I find indispensable.
There was a "time before" and a "time after" this experience for me, and it has remained ever since.
On a theological level I am in agreement that the Renewal is a work of God and that it was EXTREMELY timely with regards to Church history. On a personal level I get frustrated at meetings and gatherings of the local Renewal because I hear things that demonstrate a misunderstanding of the POINT of the Charismata. I hear people call out things like.... "We're Catholic, that's what the problem is..." or "the church is holding us back." They demonstrate a misunderstanding of the perfect and necessary, HEALTHY tension between the work of the Holy Spirit and the prudence and rigidity of the Magesterium. So while I believe wholeheartedly in the Renewal and participate in it within the life of the Church, I am wary of the individual manifestations of the Charismatic gifts and gatherings OF the Renewal, mainly because I've noticed that there are many people within the movement who come seeking the GIFTS and not necessarily the God who gives them.
There is a three day gathering in Raleigh this month that I'm hoping to attend to see more and pray more about. Not sure if I will make it unless I can find someone to go with me.
Colleen,
In the past I have spoken with tongues in a congregational setting and had someone with the gift of interpretations interpret, under the oversight of a pastor, when I was a protestant.
Nowadays, I pray in tongues in my private prayer, and it sometimes comes out when I am with others who pray in tongues, just in private prayer. It is not "gibberish" as it is very clearly A language, but I do not know what language it might be. I have often thought that it resembled a combination of hebrew and arabic.
I have been in the presence of Christians who began to pray in tongues and who were understood by other people in the congregation because they were speaking a native dialect of theirs which the people themselves had never heard before. It is extraordinary to witness. I have NEVER in my life felt that tongues were "coming out" when I was in a liturgical worship setting. Only in my private discussions with God and in my conversations with Him among friends. I don't go into prayer ever with the intention of speaking in tongues, but sometimes it just comes out.
When I returned to the Church, my biggest problem was that I have SEEN the fruit of baptism of the holy spirit in the lives of people who change and suddenly LIVE for God. I could find very few people around me in the Catholic Church who had shared this experience.... most of them were seeking holiness via what I would have at that time called dry channels.... reading more prayers each day, making an examination of conscience twice a day, something like that. These things can be very fruitful, but only if they aren't looking to "do more" but rather "receive more." The issue is building a personal relationship with Christ and His Church over religiosity or empty actions. We receive grace when we come to communion worthily whether we are aware of the amazingness of the eucharist or not.
The main difference is that when we come AWARE of God's greatness, we become filled to overflowing.
Reading Fr Cantelamessa, (preacher to the papal household during JPII) especially his book "Sober Intoxication of the Spirit," and Bishop Cordes' "Call to Holiness: reflections on the charismatic renewal" were instrumental in helping me prayerfully discern what was what here.
I'm the first to admit that I find a dryness in the PERSONAL LIVES of most traditional Catholics who reject the Renewal's lives that I personally find unbearable. On the other hand, I'm also the first to admit that I find a "falseness" and "emotivity" in the personal lives of those who embrace the Renewal but reject the traditional. To me, there is a healthy middle ground, and that's where I always want to be.
When it comes to my personal prayer? It is more "Charismatic" than anything else-- I feel a kinship and bond and fellowship with Charismatics in prayer that I do not feel when I'm praying a rosary with an SSPXer. :D Nevertheless, I embrace the traditions of the Church and especially the Extraordinary Form of the Liturgy, which I believe is LIFE GIVING. I cannot stand the idea of going to a "Charismatic mass"-- To me, liturgy is about something totally different.
There is a time and place for the Charismatic gifts but it is not IN MASS, because in MASS our eyes are on the Cross and Resurrection.
OUTSIDE of Mass our eyes should be on bringing the Cross and Resurrection to others, and that is where the gifts come in handy, ESPECIALLY the Charismatic gifts.
I am a recent revert, it has been less than five years, so I expect that my understanding will evolve over the years. However, I simply CAN NOT discredit the Charismatic gifts-- A, because they are approved in the Church and B, because I have seen their fruit in action and glorified God.
One of the largest charismatic gifts in operation in my own life is discernment of spirits. I "sense" the darkness around me as a tangible presence and am drawn to prayer when others around me haven't noticed a thing. God often places people in my life who struggle with deeply demonic (extraordinary activity of the devil) issues in their lives. I myself was exorcised at one time. Because of that, I am - -as I mentioned before-- simultaneously WARY of the overemphasis placed on the Charismatic gifts by some, and sympathetic to their reasoning. It is my firm belief due to my own experiences with the gift of tongues, the gift of discernment of spirits, and the gift of word of knowledge, none of which I have asked for our sought out-- among others-- that we must always SEEK the Holy Spirit and ask Him to show up, and SUBMIT our experiences to those in rightful authority over us. Without one, we cannot have the other.
Love to hear your thoughts! <3
other people's ideas...
They sit, lined up like little soldiers neatly against my bathroom wall, braving the humidity of so many hot showers and children's little hands.
They are strewn haphazardly around my nightstand, filled with prayers and personality.
They line the shelves, organized by theme, title and size.
They accompany me in the kitchen while I wait for breakfast to cook, during the kids' bathtime while I wait for ducks to fish and tugboats to kiss trains, and on cold winter days spent snuggling sick children on the couch.
I've spent hours immersed in their slightly acid scent, their crinkly pages, and their sharp black lines, rubbing their smooth covers between my hands.
I've taught from them, comforted by the thickness of their pages neatly tucked under one arm so as to allow both my hands to talk. (...)
Read the rest of my post on Catholic Daily.
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