Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: December 4, 2019 - December 18, 2019: Are We Worthy
Are We Worthy - 1
Dear Friends,
Are we worthy to receive Communion?
Just think about some of our prayers.
As part of the Communion Rite at Mass, immediately before the distribution of Communion, we pray together: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof…”
I think I am correct in saying that unlike all other responses invited by the priest at Mass, this is the only one that the priest is also to recite with the rest of the assembly.
So, we are all to declare that we are “not worthy,” including the priest.
I have quickly looked at the ordinary prayers of the Mass (those which are the same in all Masses) and I see the word “sin” at least nine times.
This does not include the word “trespasses” in the Lord’s Prayer or the times the word “sin” is used in the prayers that are special or proper for each Mass.
So, with this awareness of sin and the declaration of unworthiness, we might conclude that we are all unworthy.
And, in a sense, we are.
We are all human, imperfect, still in need of spiritual growth.
In that sense, we humbly admit that we are unworthy in relation to God, unworthy of receiving Communion.
But…but…but, there is another side to this story and I will look at that next week.
“With Gospel brilliance and insight, A.A. says that the starting point and, in fact, the continuing point, is not any kind of worthiness at all but in fact unworthiness! (‘I am an alcoholic!’) ...This is what Jesus affirmed in prostitutes, drunkards, and tax collectors, and what Paul praised when he said, ‘It is when I am weak that I am strong’” (2 Corinthians 12:10.)
From Breathing Under Water by Father Richard Rohr, OFM (1943 –. Ordained a priest in 1970, Franciscan friar, author, Director of Center for Action and Contemplation in New Mexico).
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May God awaken us to the presence of Christ with and among us. Amen.
Father Michael Schleupner
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Are We Worthy - 2
Dear Friends,
Jesus never expected his apostles or anyone else to be perfect.
Just recall the humanity of some of the apostles – the impetuousness and denial of Peter, the searching or doubting of Thomas, the self-focused jockeying for position of James and John, and on it goes.
Also, Jesus dined with so-called sinners – those looked down upon by others as bad people.
In fact, besides the other eleven imperfect apostles, he even included Judas in the Last Supper.
My point is that I don’t see Jesus expecting perfection.
What he did expect is that we admit our imperfection, our humanity, our faults, our sinfulness.
This leads me to think that we are all basically worthy to receive Communion – worthy because we admit and are aware of unworthiness.
It’s an interesting dynamic, isn’t it?
We become worthy if we recognize our unworthiness.
Maybe that’s why the full declaration that we recite before Communion is this: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
Jesus has said “the word” by his words and actions –
a “word” of love, forgiveness, acceptance, healing and including.
The “word” has been spoken and that has made us worthy in our unworthiness of receiving Communion.
I will finish these thoughts in next week’s column.
“For John [Saint John of the Cross], there is only one goal. His word for it is not so much ‘perfection’ – as if it were only about me becoming myself; he prefers to call it union – ‘union with God’, the ‘union of love’…Whether or not she realizes it, the human person aches for such a union…”
From The Impact of God by Father Iain Matthew (1940 –. British, Carmelite priest, Doctoral Degree from Oxford, author, chaplain, retreat director).
May God awaken us to the presence of Christ with and among us. Amen.
Father Michael Schleupner
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Are We Worthy - 3
Dear Friends,
When I celebrate Mass and look at those present, I see good persons.
I see sincere men and women, teens and children trying to do their best.
I see persons sometimes under significant stress and pressure,
trying to live life well and follow the way of Christ,
and doing this amidst the complexities and messiness of life.
I don’t look for perfection and I don’t dwell on imperfection –
ways that I might think or even experience others falling short of the gospel or Church teaching on this or that point.
In other words, I don’t look at others through the lens of sin or mortal sin.
So, given my vision, my outlook, my perspective,
I see people desiring God in their lives.
I see persons hungering for the heavenly food of the Eucharist.
I see myself as like them, as one of them.
In fact, I don’t see a “them” at all.
I just see a “we” who gather to worship God and be nourished by the Eucharist.
Therefore, never, never have I refused Communion to anyone who comes forward desiring to receive.
To me, that would be judgmental, inappropriate, insensitive, and counter to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
And, by the way, I say all of this mindful and not in disregard of the Church’s teaching about who can receive Communion.
After a recent public incident in which a Catholic was refused Communion, I decided to share where I am on this important matter.
“The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.”
From The Joy of the Gospel, an Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis, 2013.
May God awaken us to the presence of Christ with and among us. Amen.
Father Michael Schleupner
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: November 27, 2019: Thankfulness
Thankfulness
Dear Friends,
Being thankful is foundational for holy and healthy living.
Remembering the simple and special blessings in our lives is essential
for our being spiritual and mature persons.
Without this, we may just see the negatives and become negative.
Without this, we will lack a humble closeness with God.
So, I make two recommendations.
First, start each day with a prayer of thankfulness.
Be grateful to God for something, perhaps for just one thing –
maybe something we can easily take for granted like a friend or our eyesight,
or maybe the special blessing of an affirming word from someone.
At the beginning of each day, thank God for something or someone.
And second, identify for ourselves some graced memories.
Recall our parents who gave the best that they could to us.
Remember the teacher or coach who gave us that extra chance to do well.
Think back to the joy that a child brought to your life.
Store up some graced memories and keep them alive for yourself.
These two practices will help us to be grateful persons –
and that will enrich our relationships with God and with others.
“One of the scourges of modern society are problems with dementia – especially Alzheimer’s disease…. But perhaps a modern scourge of equal devastation today is ‘spiritual dementia’ – a sickness of the soul where we forget God’s innumerable blessings, and live in numbed insensitivity to the Spirit. It seems to be an ageless problem.”
From Falling into Faith by Robert J. Miller.
May God bless us with grateful and joyful hearts. Amen.
Father Michael Schleupner
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: November 20, 2019: Saint Clement of Rome
Saint Clement of Rome
Dear Friends,
Clement was Bishop of Rome and Pope from 88 until his death in 99.
He was the fourth Pope or third successor of Saint Peter,
preceded by Popes Linus (64-76) and Cletus (76-88), also canonized saints.
Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna are regarded as the Church’s Apostolic Fathers.
These are Church Fathers who lived in the first and early second centuries and either knew one of the apostles directly or were significantly influenced by them.
Regarding Clement, few reliable details are known about his life.
He was probably banished from Rome during one of the Emperor’s persecutions and martyred for his faith.
The one thing Clement is definitely known for is an epistle or letter to the church in Corinth, written in the year 96.
It is considered the earliest authentic Christian document outside the New Testament.
In this epistle, Clement deals with issues of disunity in the Corinthian church.
Saint Clement inspires us to stay glued to our Christian roots and to remember the basics of faith that make us one.
His feast day is November 23 in the Catholic calendar.
“Let us then serve in his army, brothers, following his blameless commands with all our might. The great cannot exist without the small, nor the small without the great; they blend together to their mutual advantage. Take the body, for example. The head is nothing without the feet, just as the feet are nothing without the head. The smallest parts of our body are necessary and valuable to the whole. All work together and are mutually subject for the preservation of the whole body. Our entire body, then, will be preserved in Christ Jesus, and each of us should be subject to his neighbor in accordance with the grace given to each.”
From Letter to the Corinthians by Saint Clement of Rome.
“All you holy men and women, Saints of God, pray for us.”
Father Michael Schleupner
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: November 13, 2019: Saint Margaret of Scotland
Saint Margaret of Scotland
Dear Friends,
Saint Margaret’s father Edward was an English prince in the eleventh century.
Because of political unrest, he and his family were exiled from England and eventually found their way to Hungary.
It was there that Margaret was born in the year 1045.
In 1057 the family was able to return to England where her father soon died.
Margaret, her sisters, her brother and her mother eventually had to flee from England after the Norman conquest of 1066.
They settled in Scotland and there Margaret married King Malcolm III.
The couple had eight children.
Margaret was a devoted Catholic and positively influenced her husband and three of her sons who also became kings.
She worked to restore the worship and practices of the Church of Scotland to those of Rome, in which she had been formed while growing up in Hungary.
She was known for spending time every day in private prayer and spiritual reading.
Margaret is especially remembered for her charitable works, serving in a hands-on way the poor and orphans.
She died on November 16, 1093 at the age of forty-eight, just days after her husband and eldest son were killed in a battle against the English.
Margaret’s life is an inspiration to wives, mothers and all women.
She was canonized a saint in 1250 and is the Patron Saint of Scotland.
Her feast day is November 16 in the Catholic calendar.
“There are two ways to be charitable: the ‘clean way’ and the ‘messy way.’ The ‘clean way’ is to give money or clothing to organizations that serve the poor. The ‘messy way’ is dirtying your own hands in personal service to the poor. Margaret’s outstanding virtue was her love for the poor. Although very generous with material gifts, Margaret also visited the sick and nursed them with her own hands. She and her husband served orphans and the poor on their knees during Advent and Lent. Like Christ, she was charitable the ‘messy way.’”
From Franciscan Media.
“All you holy men and women, Saints of God, pray for us.”
Father Michael Schleupner
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: November 6, 2019: Saint Louise de Marillac
Saint Louise de Marillac
Dear Friends,
Louise de Marillac was born in France in 1591.
She was well educated and happily married to a courtier of the Queen of France.
The couple had one child, a son, whom Louise raised with much love and care.
Then, after just twelve years of marriage, her husband succumbed to illness and died in 1625.
Soon Louise knew that she wanted to dedicate her life to God in some special way.
She looked for a spiritual director and was soon introduced to Vincent de Paul (see the Inbox Inspirations from last week, October 30, 2019).
Vincent had already formed some groups of rather wealthy women (Confraternities of Charity) to assist in bringing medicine, clothes, and food to the poor.
Louise became active in this but before long, she desired a deeper and more formal commitment to Christ.
At first, under Vincent’s guidance, Louise formed a group of women to do the really hands-on work in caring for the poor and the sick.
It was out of this that Louise and Vincent became the co-founders of what we now know as the Daughters of Charity.
Its members take vows, live in community but are not cloistered (a new idea when the Daughters were formed), have a strong spirituality and prayer life, and devote themselves to actively aiding those in need.
Today, there are 14,000 Daughters of Charity and these Sisters work in 90 countries.
Louise de Marillac died in 1660 and was canonized a saint in 1934.
She has been declared the Patroness of Social Workers.
Her feast day is May 9 in the Catholic calendar.
“How obliged you are to serve the poor respectfully as your master, and devotedly because they represent for you the person of Our Lord who said: What you do to the least of mine, I will consider as done to me. So then, Sisters, Our Lord is really with that…person [in need] who is receiving the service you render.”
From the writings of Saint Louise de Marillac.
“All you holy men and women, Saints of God, pray for us.”
Father Michael Schleupner
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: October 30, 2019: Saint Vincent de Paul
Saint Vincent de Paul
Dear Friends,
Ever since I was a child, I heard of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
It was and is a group men and women who assist those in need – especially by providing food and clothing.
The origin of this is with a man named Vincent de Paul (de Paul was his family name) who was born in 1580 in France.
Vincent became a priest and eventually realized his calling to care for persons who were lacking even the basics for life.
He founded a religious institute of priests called the Congregation of the Mission or the Vincentians.
Their mission was to bring the faith to the poor peasants in France.
With Louise de Marillac (more about her next week), Vincent founded an institute of vowed, religious women called the Daughters of Charity.
Their mission was to care for the sick and the poor.
Additionally, Vincent also set up some “conferences” or associations of lay people to care for the poor.
Then, in the nineteenth century, long after Vincent’s death in 1660, his vision led to the establishment of Saint Vincent de Paul Conferences in many parishes.
Today these Conferences are active in 140 countries.
Vincent de Paul was canonized a saint in 1737.
He inspires us to assist those in need with whatever we are able to provide.
Vincent de Paul’s feast day is September 27 in the Catholic calendar.
“Since Christ willed to be born poor, he chose for himself disciples who were poor. He made himself the servant of the poor and shared their poverty. He went so far as to say that he would consider every deed which either helps or harms the poor as done for or against himself. Since God surely loves the poor, he also loves those who love the poor. For when one person holds another dear, he also includes in his affection anyone who loves or serves the one he loves.”
From Epist.2546: Correspondence, entretiens, documents of Saint Vincent de Paul.
“All you holy men and women, Saints of God, pray for us.”
Father Michael Schleupner
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: October 9, 2019 - October 23, 2019: Telling the Truth
Telling the Truth – 1
Dear Friends,
Tell the truth and don’t tell lies.
That was one of the simple but important norms in my formation as a child.
It is based on the eighth of the Ten Commandments:
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
So, we sin against truth when we tell lies about others.
The Church teaches that we even sin against truth when we unfairly talk about the faults of others.
We sin against truth when we lie under oath.
We sin against truth when we assert what we know to be false so as to deceive others who have a right to the truth.
And, of course, we sin against truth when we say something about ourselves that we know is not true.
The Scripture, in a very clear and straightforward way, calls us to be truthful.
I love Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, the core of his teaching about discipleship: “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37).
Saint Paul exhorts us to live out our relationship with Christ by respecting one another and this includes being truthful: “Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and put on the new self…” (Colossian 3:9-10).
This all seems very basic, and yet maybe it is a timely refresher for us.
“Lying is the most direct offense against the truth. To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead into error someone who has the right to know the truth. By injuring [our] relation to truth and to [our] neighbor, a lie offends against the fundamental relation [of the human being] and of [our] word to the Lord.”
From The Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2483 (The Vatican, 1994).
This is the first in a series of three reflections on Telling the Truth. See also the Inbox Inspirations for the next two weeks, October 16 and 23, 2019.
Lord Jesus Christ, we embrace you as “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
Father Michael Schleupner
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Telling the Truth – 2
Dear Friends,
It is important to tell the truth for our own well-being.
When we are truthful about ourselves, about something we did, we have integrity.
We can then have a sense of inner peace.
Telling lies, even so-called “white lies,” can start to entangle us in webs of deceit within ourselves and with God and others.
One lie or untruth easily leads to another.
The result can be anxiety, diminished self-esteem, even loneliness and isolation from others – anything but inner peace!
Accordingly, telling the truth is also important for our relationships.
Sometimes it is difficult to tell the truth about ourselves or to tell the truth to others about themselves.
Doing this makes us vulnerable and opens us to rejection.
We give up some control and instead respect the freedom of the other person.
And yet, without this risk, relationships will not deepen and they may grow distant.
Finally, telling the truth is also essential for community and society.
Social structures are built upon an expectation of truth-telling.
We need to be able to rely on this.
Without this, social breakdown will eventually happen.
“Truthtelling is essential for authentic communication to occur and makes genuine interaction between people possible. That is, if truth were not expected, it would not be long before communication would entirely break down…Life would be chaotic without the norm of honesty.”
From Why Truthtelling Is Important by Theology of Work Project.
This is the second in a series of three reflections on Telling the Truth. See also the Inbox Inspirations from last week, October 9, and for next week, October 23, 2019.
Lord Jesus Christ, we embrace you as “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
Father Michael Schleupner
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: September 18, 2019 - October 2, 2019: Being with God
September 18, 2019
Being with God – 1
Dear Friends,
Our English word contemplation comes from two Latin words:
cum meaning with and temple meaning sacred or divine.
So, to contemplate means to be with the sacred, with the divine, with God.
Catholic and other spiritual writers encourage all of us to be contemplatives –
not in the sense of going away to live in a monastery,
but in the sense of making inner or personal space just to be with God.
Contemplative prayer doesn’t require a lot of words.
In fact, it may involve no words at all.
It does involve an outer silence and an inner stillness.
It is essentially our allowing ourselves just to be, or to be with God.
We may find ourselves doing this by gazing at the ocean or a tree or a candle,
by sitting in silence with our eyes closed or fixed on the Blessed Sacrament.
Consider the poem that follows as an invitation to contemplative prayer.
“It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.”
Praying from Thirst: Poems by Mary Oliver (1935-2019. American, Pulitzer Prize winner, best-selling poet.)
This is the first in a series of three reflections on Being with God. See the Inbox Inspirations for the next two weeks – September 25 and October 2, 2019.
Gracious God, help us to be still and to know that you are God.
Father Michael Schleupner
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September 25, 2019
Being with God – 2
Dear Friends,
I view contemplative prayer as a way to prepare for our eternal home with God.
To contemplate means to be with the sacred, with the divine, with God.
Contemplative prayer is essentially our allowing ourselves just to be, or just to be with God.
It is a way of resting in God.
It is a way of responding to that wonderful invitation of Jesus: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest…You will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
My resting with God recognizes God’s presence with me right now.
It affirms that the life of God, divine life, eternal life has already begun.
In doing that, it prepares me for the fullness of this life that is yet to come.
Theologians call this the eschatological dimension of prayer:
looking ahead to our last moment on this earth, or from a different perspective, looking ahead to our first moment beholding the light of God’s face.
“…I believe… that at the end (to which all is directed by Him) I shall see Him after I have put off my body in death and have risen with Him…. What this means is that my faith is an eschatological faith, not merely a means of penetrating the mystery of the divine presence, resting in Him now. Yet because my faith is eschatological it is also contemplative, for I am even now in the Kingdom and I can even now ‘see’ something of the glory of the Kingdom and praise Him who is King….Thus contemplation and eschatology are one in Christian faith and in surrender to Christ….It is by contemplation and love that I can best prepare myself for the eschatological vision…”
From Journal,1964 by Thomas Merton. (1915-1968. Cistercian or Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, author, major spiritual influence in prayer and spirituality.)
This is the second in a series of three reflections on Being with God. See the Inbox Inspirations from last week, September 25, and for next week, October 2, 2019.
Gracious God, help us to be still and to know that you are God.
Father Michael Schleupner
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October 2, 2019
Being with God – 3
Dear Friends,
Try these steps as a way to do contemplative or centering prayer.
First, sit in an upright posture with your hands resting on your knees or lap.
Second, inhale deeply and slowly exhale fully.
Do this five or six times just to relax your body.
Your body needs to be relaxed if your soul or spirit is to rest in God.
Third, select a word or brief phrase to help you with this time of silence.
For example: “Emmanuel” or “God is with us,” “Here I am, Lord,” “In Your light,” “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Fourth, repeat this phrase several times just to start getting centered in God.
Fifth, plan to sit in silence for a period of time – two minutes for starters, maybe up to thirty minutes eventually.
When distracted, repeat your “word” and allow it to bring you back – just to being with God.
Commit yourself to doing this every day.
Little by little, over time, this will have an effect on you.
It will make a difference in your relationship with God and in how you relate to the persons and situations in your life.
Give contemplative or centering prayer a try.
“… prayer contains an impulse towards simplicity. Prayer can be a ‘being with….’ Beyond praise, petition, or begging for pardon, the impulse in prayer is towards presence, being with, being with the person…. In the gospels people do indeed ask Jesus for things, and praise him for his ministry. But there is a deeper movement, expressed by the attitude of the sinners whose concern is to ‘sit with’ him (Mark 2:15).”
From The Impact of God by Father Iain Matthew. (English, Carmelite priest, Doctor of Theology, professor and author.)
This is the third in a series of three reflections on Being with God. See also the Inbox Inspirations from September 25 and October 2, 2019.
Gracious God, help us to be still and to know that you are God.
Father Michael Schleupner
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: September 11, 2019: All Desire God
September 11, 2019
All Desire God
Dear Friends,
I believe that all persons desire God.
Maybe we get caught up in new cars or stylish clothes.
Maybe we want a higher position at work or more financial security.
Maybe we want to be recognized and well thought of by others.
Many of us have or have had desires like these.
We think that the fulfillment of these desires will make us happy or secure.
But, deep down, beyond all of these desires, each of us is really desiring God.
In fact, even those who do violence to others – and we see lots of that these days with mass shootings and homicides – these persons too must be desiring something.
They, and we, may not discover what we are really desiring until a bit later in life. But the truth remains: we and all human beings really desire God.
This is how I view every person on this earth.
This is the perspective I bring to my priestly ministry.
“Though we seldom recognize it, our senses seek the beauty, the sweetness, the
good feelings of God. Our mind seeks the truth and wisdom of God. Our will seeks
to live out the goodness, the righteousness of God. Our memory and imagination
seek the justice and peace of God. In other words, we yearn for the attributes of
God with every part of ourselves. Human beings are two-legged, walking, talking
desires for God.”
From The Dark Night of the Soul by Gerald G. May, M.D. (1940-2005. American, psychiatrist, theologian, author, speaker, devoted to the interfacing of spirituality and psychology).
May we keep our eyes fixed on the things both on and definitely above the earth.
Father Michael Schleupner
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: July 17, 2019 - September 4, 2019: Spiritual but not Religious
July 17, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 1
Dear Friends,
Today there is this expression: “I am spiritual but not religious.”
I have often heard this and have read articles about this way of viewing oneself.
Well, it is important for me as a priest not to just write off such a statement.
I need to take this seriously.
Obviously, I am a religious person and believe that I am also spiritual.
In fact, I see the core of my priestly ministry as bringing spirituality to others.
I believe that the spiritual tradition of Christianity and Catholicism has much to offer.
Let me state it this way: religion is to offer and nurture and enrich spirituality.
It is essential that religion does this and if it doesn’t, something is wrong.
So, what’s going on today that leads some to say that they are spiritual but not religious?
Before going into any analysis, I want to say that we who are religious need to respect those who are not.
They, like me, are made in the image and likeness of God.
They, like me, are sons and daughters of God.
And yes, the Holy Spirit is present in them as the Spirit is present in all of creation.
So, there is no room here for being dismissive or for discounting or for judging those who see themselves as spiritual but not religious.
None!
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations for next week, July 24, 2019.
“Spirituality is my deeply personal and unique experience of, relationship with, and response to the reality one might call the Unknown, Ultimate Mystery, or God. Religion, then, consists of the communal beliefs, practices, rituals, and codes of behavior that allow me to explore, deepen, celebrate, and share my personal spirituality.”
From The Transformed Heart (Spirituality, Religion, and the Struggle for Identity) by Tom Zanzig (1946-, Catholic religious educator, publisher of adult faith formation resources, author).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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July 24, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 2
Dear Friends,
I am continuing my reflections today on the expression: “I am spiritual but not religious.”
We might hear these words from various kinds of persons.
For example, some people reject any organized religion.
They might even feel hostile toward it.
Sometimes, we in the Church label this approach as secularism, but often it is not.
Then, some describe themselves as an atheist or agnostic.
They see themselves as good persons, as persons with an inner life and a spirituality.
However, they take either an “I don’t believe in a God” position or an “I just don’t know” position.
Next, some persons are seeking.
They want a relationship with God and they want this to influence their lives.
However, they have not found satisfaction for their search in any religion.
They are open to finding it there but have not yet found a spirituality that is authentic for them in any Church.
I approach all of the above persons with respect.
I assume not only good intentions, but also an inner life and desire for the spiritual.
This, I believe, needs to be the approach of all of us who are religious.
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations of last week, July 17, and for next week, July 31 and following.
“We all know individuals who claim to be ‘spiritual but not religious.’ We may have siblings, good friends, and even children of our own who make that claim or would be comfortable with that description. A rapidly increasing number now check ‘none of the above’ when researchers ask for their religious affiliation.”
From The Transformed Heart (Spirituality, Religion, and the Struggle for Identity) by Tom Zanzig (1946-, Catholic religious educator, publisher of adult faith formation resources, author).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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July 31, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 3
Dear Friends,
Today I am continuing my reflections on the expression: “I am spiritual but not religious.”
We might hear these words from persons who are indifferent to religion.
They don’t attend any church and do not have strong negative or positive feelings about any religious practice.
They just don’t make room for it in their lives or have not considered it seriously.
Then, of great concern to me, there are many Catholics who have left the Church.
In fact, at least one study says that the largest religious group in our country are Catholics, and the second largest would be former Catholics.
Some of these persons still identify themselves as Catholic.
However, many of them say – and I have personally heard this – that they have not found themselves spiritually nourished in the Church.
Some of these persons may now identify themselves as one of the Nones.
This is an increasing number of people in America who check Nonewhen asked about their religious affiliation.
And once again, many of these people see themselves as spiritual but not religious.
As I have said before, I respect all of these persons.
I assume that they are sincerely seeking God and spirituality.
I believe that our Church must make the same assumption as the very first step in engaging all such persons.
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations of July 17 and 24, and for next week, August 7 and following.
“The Christian life is not about pleasing God the finger-shaker and judge. It is not about believing now or being good now for the sake of heaven later. It is about entering a relationship in the present that begins to change everything now. Spirituality is about this process: the opening of the heart to the God who is already here.”
From Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time by Marcus J. Borg (1942-2015, Anglican, New Testament scholar, author).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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August 7, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 4
Dear Friends,
In the last three weeks of Inbox Inspirations, I have looked at some of the persons who use the expression “I am spiritual but not religious.”
Today I want to begin looking at the Church and its response to this.
I am seeing three things that must shape our initial response.
First, we must listen.
We need to do all we can to take in what they have to say.
We need to understand their way of thinking and appreciate what they are feeling about God and faith.
Second, we may need humble to ask questions.
For example, what do you mean by spiritual?
Or, how are you as a person spiritual?
Or, what do you mean by religious?
Or, why are you choosing not to be religious or to participate in a church?
And third, I believe we need to see these persons as seeking and that this seeking is a dimension of faith.
If we are going to be truthful, at times we are all seeking.
At times, we all question and wonder and maybe even doubt.
At times, we may not feel at home with all aspects of our religion or church.
So, it is important to view those who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious as persons who are probably in a seeking dimension of faith.
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations of July 17, 24 and 31, and for next week, August 14 and following.
“Read John 20:24-31 (Jesus appears to ‘doubting’ Thomas). Notice how compassionately Jesus deals with doubts, which are a natural part of a faith journey. Periods of doubt and questioning can lead to a stronger, more deeply held faith. The key is to keep the conversation going with the Lord…”
From The Ignatian Adventure by Father Kevin O’Brien, SJ (1966-, lawyer, Jesuit priest, retreat director, theology professor, President of Santa Clara University).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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August 14, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 5
Dear Friends,
Last week I began looking at the Church’s or our response to persons who use the expression “I am spiritual but not religious.”
Today I want to focus especially on our response in preaching.
I believe that our homilies at Mass need to do the following:
- Present God as loving us unconditionally and never wavering in that love
- Avoid presenting God as vindictive and punishing
- Present Jesus as the way to grow fully into the image and likeness of God
- Avoid presenting Jesus as just a lawgiver who merely gives us dos and don’ts
- Present the gospel as the Good News of God’s love in Jesus Christ
- Avoid presenting the gospel as a message of fear and fire and brimstone
- Present God as abiding within us through the Holy Spirit
- Avoid presenting God as distant or as one whose presence we have to earn
- Present Christianity as respecting the inherent dignity of each person
- Avoid presenting Christianity as harping upon sin and unworthiness
- Present the Church as a community of persons joined in faith for our earthly journey
- Avoid presenting the Church as primarily an institution or hierarchy that is the sole possessor of truth to the exclusion of others.
I believe that the above are traits that our homilies need to have today.
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations of July 17, 24 and 31, August 7, and for next week, August 21 and following.
“Are you looking for more? The spiritual life begins with this question. To be a spiritual person means to thirst for that ‘something more.’ Spiritual health is found through quenching that thirst for something deeper by drinking from the right cup…” (to be continued next week)
From 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness by Joe Paprocki (Active Catholic layperson, Doctor of Ministry, pastoral minister, consultant for Loyola Press, speaker and author).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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August 21, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 6
Dear Friends,
Today I am continuing my thoughts from last week about our homilies relating to persons who use the expression “I am spiritual but not religious.”
I think these ideas will also lead to much better spiritual nourishment for those who already see themselves as both spiritual and religious.
So, a few more thoughts on what I believe our homilies at Mass must do:
- Present the Church as catholic in the sense of universal, wanting to include all and to mediate the unconditional love of God
- Avoid presenting the Church as primarily emphasizing who is included and who is excluded
- Present the Church as Catholic in the sense of having a rich tradition of faith, spirituality and sacramentality that derives from Jesus and the apostles
- Avoid presenting the Church as Catholic in the sense that those who are not part of this community will not enjoy the salvation of Jesus
- Present moral teachings with the values that lie underneath them
- Avoid presenting moral teachings merely as norms to be obeyed to avoid hell
- Present the ordained as spiritual leaders through the Sacrament of Holy Orders but still as part of and walking with the rest of the People of God
- Avoid presenting the ordained as higher than the rest of the People of God.
These directions will help our homilies and our Catholic teaching to relate to life today, especially to those who see themselves as spiritual but not religious.
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations of July 17, 24 and 31, August 7, and 14, and for next week, August 28 and following.
“Unfortunately, for many people Christianity has come to be seen less as a spiritual path and more as a code of ethics. Christianity does indeed involve a moral code, but at the core of Jesus’ Good News is an invitation to walk a spiritual path that leads to intimacy with our Creator.”
From 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness by Joe Paprocki (Active Catholic layperson, Doctor of Ministry, pastoral minister, consultant for Loyola Press, speaker and author).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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August 28, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 7
Dear Friends,
I have been reflecting on the expression “I am spiritual but not religious” and on the Church’s or our response to this.
Obviously, I say and would like others to be able to say, “I am spiritual and religious.”
The entire mission of Jesus Christ was directed to us as a people – to all of humanity.
Christ loves us and saves us personally, but also as a community.
The Scripture tells us that by being connected with one another, we are the living Body of Christ.
Making this happen is the purpose of religion or of the Church.
No question, our Church cannot only be about rituals or codes of conduct.
We cannot just perform sacraments as prescribed words and actions.
We cannot preach the Word of God without spirit and reflection.
Instead, we, especially we priests need to put our heart into the meaning of ritual.
We need to be aware of and convey the wonder of God’s presence in the sacraments.
And we need to get in touch with how the Word of God speaks personally to us and then how it might be speaking to those in our community and world.
When we do this, we are being spiritual and religious.
We are offering and nurturing and enriching spirituality.
When we fail to do this, we actually risk being religious but not spiritual.
So, we have a great opportunity and a great calling – I have no doubt about this.
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations of July 17, 24 and 31, August 7, 14, and 21, and for next week, September 4, the conclusion of this series.
“Religions are communities of transformation…. They have the very practical purpose of transforming the self and the world – the transformation of the self from an old way of being to a new way of being, and the transformation of the world through compassion. These two transformations are central to all enduring religions.”
From The Holy Longing by Father Ronald Rolheiser, O.M.I. (1947-. Canadian, first vows as Oblate of Mary Immaculate in 1966, ordained to priesthood in 1972, Doctorate in Theology, author and speaker).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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September 4, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 8
Dear Friends,
I say and would like others to be able to say, “I am spiritual and religious.”
Belonging to a church and participating in a religion has real value for us.
Being part of a church or faith community or being religious:
- Gives us the sacraments as moments of God’s action in our lives (especially in Catholicism) and a sacramental sense of life in general
- Responds to a need within us to celebrate important parts and dimensions of our lives with others
- Helps to shape our image of God and that in turn helps to shape who we become as persons and how we relate to others
- Assists in forming our conscience and in discerning right from wrong
- Moves us in developing both personal and social justice moral dimensions for our lives
- Keeps us from being narrow or even self-focused in our vision and lifestyle
- Enhances our opportunity to experience the love of God in and through others
- Connects us with a long and living tradition of faith.
I do not pretend that the above are the only values of being religious, but they are some of the important ones.
Will any church be perfect or a perfect fit for us? Probably not.
Will we agree or be comfortable with everything? I doubt it.
Still, I believe that we are made by God to be both spiritual and religious persons.
With that, I conclude this eight-part series entitled Spiritual but not Religious.
Please also see the Inbox Inspirations of July 17, 24 and 31, August 7, 14, 21, and 28.
“In community we work out our connectedness to God, to one another, and to ourselves. It is in community where we find out who we really are.”
From Wisdom Distilled from the Daily by Sister Joan Chittister, O.S.B (1936 -. American, Benedictine Sister and member of monastery in Erie, Pennsylvania, author and speaker.)
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: July 10, 2019: Saint Augustine
Saint Augustine
Dear Friends,
Augustine was born in the year 354 in Northern Africa, in what is today Tunisia.
As a young man, Augustine was not baptized and not a Christian.
He lived a pleasure-seeking and self-focused lifestyle – to the absolute distress of his mother, Monica.
Nevertheless, he was well educated, left Africa for Rome and eventually became a professor of rhetoric in Milan.
It was there that he met the saintly and very gifted bishop Ambrose.
Through him, Augustine became captivated by the depth of Christian doctrine.
This led to his conversion and baptism at age 33.
Augustine’s earlier aversion for Christianity now became matched by ardent faith. Returning to Africa, he was ordained a priest at age 36 and then, at age 41, was made bishop of the diocese of Hippo.
Augustine’s theological writings touch upon practically all major parts of Christian doctrine.
He shares his own life story and conversion in his autobiography Confessionswhich has become a classic in Christian spirituality.
Augustine has had a major impact especially on western Christianity and our understanding of God, grace and sin.
For this, he has been honored with the title of Doctor of the Church.
He died in 430, still as the bishop of Hippo.
We can turn to this saint for inspiration and hope when we find ourselves looking back and wishing we had lived certain parts of our life differently.
Augustine’s feast day is August 28 in our Catholic calendar.
“Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you…You were with me, but I was not with you…You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness…You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness…I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more.”
From the Confessions of Saint Augustine.
“All you holy men and women, Saints of God, pray for us.”
Father Michael Schleupner
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: July 3, 2019: Saint Peter Monica
Saint Monica
Dear Friends,
Monica was born in the year 323 near Carthage, which was located in today’s Northern African country of Tunisia.
Practically all we know about Monica is from the writings of her oldest son, Augustine.
Monica was a devout Christian.
She was given by her parents in marriage to a man who had little or no religion.
So, in the expression of our Church, theirs was a mixed-religion marriage.
Monica prayed that both her husband and mother-in-law would accept Christianity and be baptized, and eventually her prayer was answered.
She then prayed for her son Augustine who was not baptized and was living an immoral lifestyle.
Monica followed her son wherever he went – from Northern Africa to Rome and then to Milan.
Some would say that she was too hovering and did not give her son enough space.
Whatever, Monica’s prayers were again answered.
Augustine came under the wonderful influence of Ambrose, the bishop of Milan, and was baptized in 387.
In that same year, Monica became ill and died.
We can turn to this saint for inspiration when we need to be patient.
Maybe mothers and even fathers can also turn to her for inspiration when a son or daughter is not following a good path in their life.
Monica’s feast day is August 27 in our Catholic calendar.
“In the flesh she brought me to birth in this world; in her heart she brought me to birth in Your eternal life.”
From the Confessions of Saint Augustine.
“All you holy men and women, Saints of God, pray for us.”
Father Michael Schleupner
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: June 26, 2019: Saint Peter Claver
Saint Peter Claver
Dear Friends,
Peter Claver (Claver was his family name) was born in Spain in 1581.
As a young man, he entered the Society of Jesus, usually known as the Jesuits.
Before ordination, he felt God calling him to leave Spain and minister to the slaves being brought into Cartagena, Columbia from West Africa.
And so, he left his native Spain in 1610 at age 29 and never returned.
Another Jesuit, Father Alfonso de Sandoval had been ministering to the slaves in Cartagena for many years and Peter Claver succeeded him.
He was ordained in 1615 and cared for the black slaves for almost forty years.
The conditions of the slaves being transported to Cartagena were inhuman.
It is estimated that 10,000 slaves arrived each year and that as many as 1/3rd died in transit from the deplorable conditions.
Peter Claver faithfully cared for them –
greeting each ship full of slaves, bringing them food and medicine,
trying to instill in them a sense of God’s love for them and of their dignity as persons,
serving as a moral witness to the society that engaged in this immoral treatment,
and bringing to the slaves the saving message of Jesus Christ.
It is estimated that Peter Claver baptized as many as 300,000 slaves.
Peter Claver got sick from a plague in 1650 and died in 1654.
We can turn to this saint for inspiration to care for the poor and downtrodden, especially those who are oppressed by the social systems of the day.
Peter Claver’s feast day is September 9 in our Catholic calendar.
“This was how we spoke to them, not with words but with our hands and our actions…We made every effort to encourage them with friendly gestures and displayed in their presence the emotions which somehow naturally tend to hearten the sick.”
From a letter by Saint Pater Claver.
“All you holy men and women, Saints of God, pray for us.”
Father Michael Schleupner
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: June 19, 2019: Saint Catherine of Siena
June 19, 2019
Saint Catherine of Siena
Dear Friends,
Catherine was born in 1347 in the small Tuscan town of Siena.
From an early age, she sought to follow the way of Christ as fully as possible.
While never becoming a professed religious or living in a religious community, she was a member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic.
In effect, she lived as a secular Dominican.
I would say that Catherine was hundreds of years ahead of her times.
In a very patriarchal Church and culture, she was an influential spiritual leader.
A group of followers gathered around her – priests, religious, and lay.
She gave them spiritual instruction and led them in caring for the sick and the poor.
Catherine even got the respect of Popes.
She lived in the time of the Western Schism when Christianity was divided between two and then three claimants to the Papacy.
Catherine travelled to Avignon in France to persuade the Pope to return to Rome.
She spent the last two years of her life in Rome, working to restore peace and unity to the Church.
Catherine died in 1380.
Besides being canonized as a saint, she has been honored with the title of Doctor of the Church – one of only four women with that title.
This is in recognition of her keen spiritual insight and wisdom.
Perhaps women especially can turn to Catherine for inspiration in using their God-given gifts, even in situations where patriarchal ways continue.
Catherine of Siena’s feast day is April 29 in our Catholic calendar.
“Eternal God, eternal Trinity…You are a mystery as deep as the sea; the more I search, the more I find, and the more I find the more I search for you. But I can never be satisfied; what I receive will ever leave me desiring more. When you fill my soul I have an even greater hunger, and I grow more famished for your light. I desire above all to see you, the true light, as you really are.”
From The Dialogue on Divine Providence by Saint Catherine of Siena.
“All you holy men and women, Saints of God, pray for us.”
Father Michael Schleupner
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: June 11, 2019: Saints and Other Holy Ones
Saints and Other Holy Ones
Dear Friends,
I have decided to do a series of Inbox Inspirations on saints.
Saints have always played a part especially in our Catholic Christian tradition.
We call upon saints for their help and intercession with God at certain times –
for example, when we are sick,
or when we are dealing with something that feels hopeless,
or when we don’t know how to respond to a rebellious child.
We invoke the name of a particular saint and ask for his or her help.
We also see the saints simply as our companions.
They inspire us with the example of their own lives.
They accompany us on the journey of life.
They now live with God in eternity and, at the same time, are supporting us and wanting us to join them at the time God decides.
In the next four weeks, and then from time to time, I will reflect on some of our saints.
And, I will also include some of the holy ones who have not been officially canonized as saints but who also clearly inspire us in faith and can be our companions for the journey.
“Of course some might argue (and some do argue) that all you need is Jesus. And that’s true: Jesus is everything, and the saints understood this more than anyone. But God in his wisdom has also given us these companions of Jesus to accompany us along the way, so why not accept the gift of their friendship and encouragement? And there’s no reason to feel as if devotion to the saints somehow takes away from your devotion to Jesus: everything the saints say and do is centered on Christ and points in his direction.”
From My Life with the Saints by Father James Martin, S.J. (1960-. Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, author of many books and articles).
“All you holy men and women, Saints of God, pray for us.”
Father Michael Schleupner
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Inbox Inspiration: Easter: April 24, 2019 - June 5, 2019
April 24, 2019
Easter - Life
Dear Friends,
We all want to live.
We do not want to die.
Within us is this undeniable desire – to live fully and to live on and on and on.
We have other deep desires – to love and be loved, to have meaning and purpose.
However, I think the strongest of our desires is to live.
I believe God has placed this within us.
In fact, isn’t this very desire God acting within us?
Isn’t this the spark of the divine within us?
Where could this have come from if not from the One who is life itself?
How could this be within us if it had not come from the One who is eternal?
The resurrection of Christ confirms that our desire is authentic, that it will not end in frustration, that physical death is not the end.
It confirms that we too will be transformed and raised up as Jesus was.
This is Easter.
Christ is risen. Alleluia!
“We Christians believe and know that Christ’s resurrection is the true hope of the world, the hope that does not disappoint. It is the power of the grain of wheat, the power of that love which humbles itself and gives itself to the very end, and thus truly renews the world.”
From Easter Sunday Homily, April 15, 2018 by Pope Francis (1936 –. Ordained to priesthood in 1969, consecrated bishop in 1992, named Cardinal in 2001, elected Pope in 2013).
[For more reflections on Easter, see the Inbox Inspirations for next week and following.]
“The mystery of faith: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection, until you come again.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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May 1, 2019
Easter - Now
Dear Friends,
Resurrected life is life with and in God.
In some way, we will be transformed.
We will rise to a new life, different from this life, definitely fuller.
In fact, we are promised that it will be the fullness of life.
That is, in a way, future, not yet.
I say “in a way’ because it already has begun.
The risen Christ lives now with us and we with Him.
We have already begun to live in God through the Spirit of the risen Christ.
This can transform our earthly journey and our human experience.
Things can look different and we can see them, all of life, in a new perspective.
We can experience our own life in a new way – far different from what it would be without the risen Christ.
And so, we can again say:
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
“The resurrection places Jesus on this side of the grave – here and now – in the midst of this life…On the morning of the resurrection, God put life in the present tense, not in the future. He gave us not a promise but a presence. Not so much the assurance that we shall live someday but that he is risen today…The proof that God raised Jesus from the dead is not the empty tomb, but the full hearts of his transformed disciples. The crowning evidence that he lives is not a vacant grave, but a spirit-filled fellowship. Not a rolled-away stone, but a carried-away church.”
From The Substance of Faith and Other Cotton Patch Sermons by Clarence Jordan (1912–1969. New Testament Greek scholar, farmer, founder of Koinonia Farm in Georgia, instrumental in founding Habitat for Humanity).
[For more reflections on Easter, see the Inbox Inspirations of last week, April 24, and for next week and following.]
“The mystery of faith: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection, until you come again.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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May 8, 2019
Easter - Believe
Dear Friends,
“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29).
These are the words of the risen Christ to Thomas and all the apostles.
We hear these words every year in our liturgy, on the Sunday following Easter.
The reason for this is that Easter invites us to believe.
The risen Christ calls us to have faith.
I, as a person, choose to believe.
I choose to place my faith in the risen Christ.
My faith is first and foremost a relationship – a relationship with God as my heavenly parent or creator, with the risen Christ who is the Son of God, and with the Holy Spirit who is God with us and within us.
My life makes sense because of this faith.
My faith is the glue that holds it together.
I often think that my experience of life supports my choice to believe.
I experience a fullness, a coherence, a grounding and a purpose that I do not think is possible without faith.
So, yes, Easter calls us to faith in a way that no other religious celebration does.
“I believe that faith might be precisely that ability to trust the Big River of God’s providential love, which is to trust the visible embodiment (the Son), the flow (the Holy Spirit), and the source itself (the Father).”
From Daily Meditations by Father Richard Rohr (1943—. Catholic priest and religious, Franciscan friar, author of books and articles, Director of Center for Action and Contemplation in New Mexico).
[For more reflections on Easter, see the Inbox Inspirations of April 24 and May 1 and for next week and following.]
“The mystery of faith: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection, until you come again.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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May 15, 2019
Easter - Hope
Dear Friends,
Easter calls us to hope.
I find that my faith in the risen Christ leads me, almost automatically, to hope.
For me, in one way, the hope of Easter is in the future and the other-worldly.
It points toward our own resurrection after the passage of physical death.
It is consoling and addresses our deep desire to live and to live with the One who is life itself.
In another way, the hope of Easter is in the present and the this-worldly.
It is the trust that God will always be with us –
in joys and sorrows, in accomplishments and losses, in health and sickness.
This hope moves us to keep on going when we are worn.
It moves us never to give up on bringing the gospel alive in our world and even in our Church.
Easter is about the trusting hope that God stays with us every step of the journey.
That hope, based on faith, leads us to the third central virtue of the Christian life: love.
I will reflect on this next week.
“This is what Christian hope is: having the certainty that I am walking toward something that ‘is’, not something that I hope may be…Christian hope is the expectation of something that has already been fulfilled and that will certainly be fulfilled for each one of us. Our resurrection too, and that of our departed loved ones, therefore, is not something that may or may not happen but is a certain reality, because it is rooted in the event of Christ’s Resurrection. Thus, to hope means to learn how to live in expectation. To learn how to live in expectation and find life.”
From On Hope by Pope Francis (1936 –. Ordained to priesthood in 1969, consecrated bishop in 1992, named Cardinal in 2001, elected Pope in 2013).
[For more reflections on Easter, see also the Inbox Inspirations of April 24, May 1 and 8, and for next week and following.]
“The mystery of faith: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection, until you come again.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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May 22, 2019
Easter - Love
Dear Friends,
My 1) faith in the risen Christ leads me to 2) hope, as I shared last week.
Among other blessings, this hope moves me never to give up on bringing the gospel alive in our world and in our Church.
Doing this calls into action the other foundational Christian virtue which is 3) love.
It is difficult to define this virtue.
Usually, I speak of the behaviors that express love instead of using the word itself.
With that in mind, the faith and hope of Easter lead us to be:
- Giving of our time and ourselves for another
- Giving up some of our own preferences to provide for others
- Comforting those who are suffering lack or loss
- Challenging those who need to look more fully at the way of the gospel
- Forgiving someone who has hurt me
- Seeking forgiveness from one whom I have offended
- Letting go of my attachments to so many things
- Hanging on to my faithfulness to persons and commitments.
These are just some of the expressions of love.
Our faith and hope in the risen Christ empower us to be alive with love in everyday life.
“Contemplatives of all traditions agree on one certain thing – the spiritual life is all about love…This love, divine in its nature and glimpsed only through the gift of divine light, is the greatest of all mysteries. It is the source, means, and end of all life, yet no one can explain it… love’s true nature remains forever beyond the grasp of all our faculties.”
From The Dark Night of the Soul by Gerald G. May (1940-2005. Medical doctor, psychiatrist, author, staff member of Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation).
[For more reflections on Easter, see also the Inbox Inspirations of April 24, May 1, 8 and 15, and for next week and following.]
“The mystery of faith: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection, until you come again.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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May 29, 2019
Easter - Companions
Dear Friends,
It is difficult to do the journey of life alone.
We all enjoy companionship or friendship with others.
Most of us also seek the special love shared with a spouse or significant other.
This is all part of being human.
In addition to this, we also need companions for our faith.
Believing in Jesus and following his way is not easy to do alone.
We need faith companions when we question and seek, like the apostle Thomas.
They can help us to realize once again the glue for life that believing in the risen Christ can be for us.
We need faith companions as we grow and mature.
They can help us to go beyond the faith of our childhood or earlier life and come to a richer relationship with God that is appropriate for our adult years.
And we need faith companions in a world where many choose not to believe.
They can help us to feel assured of our choice to live a spiritual life and to center our lives on God.
Yes, companions are important – a great gift from God!
“To walk alone is possible, but the good walker knows that the great trip is life and it requires companions.”
By Archbishop Dom Helder Camara (1909-1999. Ordained to priesthood in 1931. Archbishop of Olinda and Recife in Brazil, 1964-1985).
[For more reflections on Easter, see also the Inbox Inspirations of April 24, May 1, 8, 15 and 22 and for next week.]
“The mystery of faith: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection, until you come again.”
Father Michael Schleupner
*************
June 5, 2019
Easter - Companions
Dear Friends,
It is difficult to do the journey of life alone.
We all enjoy companionship or friendship with others.
Most of us also seek the special love shared with a spouse or significant other.
This is all part of being human.
In addition to this, we also need companions for our faith.
Believing in Jesus and following his way is not easy to do alone.
We need faith companions when we question and seek, like the apostle Thomas.
They can help us to realize once again the glue for life that believing in the risen Christ can be for us.
We need faith companions as we grow and mature.
They can help us to go beyond the faith of our childhood or earlier life and come to a richer relationship with God that is appropriate for our adult years.
And we need faith companions in a world where many choose not to believe.
They can help us to feel assured of our choice to live a spiritual life and to center our lives on God.
Yes, companions are important – a great gift from God!
“To walk alone is possible, but the good walker knows that the great trip is life and it requires companions.”
By Archbishop Dom Helder Camara (1909-1999. Ordained to priesthood in 1931. Archbishop of Olinda and Recife in Brazil, 1964-1985).
[For more reflections on Easter, see also the Inbox Inspirations of April 24, May 1, 8, 15 and 22 and for next week.]
“The mystery of faith: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection, until you come again.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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