pray share chat 8/31/2022 we are being guided

1.  Meditation

https://youtu.be/eZCCOur42sw

2.  Song

https://youtu.be/S-PRHuPkVBI

3.  Narrative

Sunday, August 21, 2022 

 

Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation

From the Center for Action and Contemplati

Week Thirty-Four: Discerning What is Ours to Do 

We Are Being Guided

 

What will happen if I really trust God’s love for me and allow God to direct my life? —Ilia Delio, Franciscan Prayer  

This week’s meditations focus on how we discern what actions are ours to do. As Francis of Assisi said on his deathbed, “I have done what is mine; may Christ teach you what is yours!” [1] Father Richard teaches that discernment begins with an authentic trust in God’s presence and guidance:

The full life of faith becomes a life of deep joy and rest. Once we are “grafted to the Vine,” to use Jesus’ words (see John 15:4–5), we don’t have to be anxious about many things (see Luke 10:41). We don’t have to be worried about the next moment or about tomorrow (see Matthew 6:34). We can trust that we are being guided; in fact, almost everything is seen as guidance. Our ability to trust that there is guidance available allows it to become guidance! Basically, we switch from the fixing, fully understanding, and controlling mode to the trusting, listening, and allowing mode. Then we start allowing the Divine Flow instead of stopping it with a “no” or a question mark. 

The Spirit in us knows how to use everything that happens to bring about healing and growth. We can trust that “God is even in this!” That does not mean we shouldn’t work to change and improve things; in fact, quite the contrary. But when our first heart and soul response is a “yes” and not a “no,” then we can experience God in the moment and see guidance in the events of our lives. We can trust that nothing is wasted. If there are changes and fixes that have to be made, we can now take care of them in an appropriate, calm, and positive way. That is what characterizes a mature believer in any religion.

Faith, as we see in the Hebrew Scriptures and Jesus’ usage of them, is much closer to our words “trust” or “confidence” than it is about believing doctrines to be true. Simply believing doctrines demands almost no ego-surrender or real change of the small self. Holding confidence that God is good, God can be trusted, and God is actively involved in my life is a much more powerful and effective practice. This is the practical power of biblical faith. Faith-filled people are, quite simply, usable for larger purposes because they live in and listen to a much Larger Self.  

Richard shares that contemplative practice helps us grow in such trusting faith:

From my own experience, I know I need a contemplative practice. Some form of the prayer of quiet is necessary to touch me at the unconscious level, the level where deep and lasting transformation occurs. From my place of prayer, I am able to understand more clearly what is mine to do and have the courage to do it.  

 

 

[1] Francis of Assisi, quoted by Thomas of Celano, The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul, chapter 162, in Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, vol. 2, The Founder (New York: New City Press, 2000), 386. 

Adapted from Richard Rohr, A Spring within Us: A Book of Daily Meditations (Albuquerque, NM: CAC Publishing, 2016), 334–335; and

4.  Prayer

Prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila

Author: Saint Teresa of Avila

Let nothing disturb you, 
Let nothing frighten you, 
All things are passing away: 
God never changes. 
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing; 
God alone suffices.

 

-- St. Teresa of Avila

5.  Meditation

https://youtu.be/S6ASs48pIBw

6.  Song

https://youtu.be/qv-SXz_exKE

Through the window

 

I see the sun. A 

 new day, fun or not I'll take.

Surprise' s what I got.

A Photo by the Campanile

  

I saw this framed photo when I was cleaning up a bookcase.  I was enamored by it and decided to put it  in the bathroom. The tender emotions it evoked made me felt good and I wanted to see it every time I wake up and wash up.  

This photo was taken in front of the Campanile, a famous landmark at Iowa State University in Ames Iowa where Bob, my husband, and I met and finished our graduate degrees in chemistry.  It was the place where we got married and had Wendy, our first child.

This was taken during our visit there in Ames, Iowa in 1989 before we moved from Kansas City to Pittsburgh.  We decided to take a vacation before Bob started his new job at PPG.  We also went to Disneyland in Florida to complete our time to relax and have fun before the new chapter in our lives.

We wanted the kids to see our alma matter where it all started.  We brought them to Lake Laverne another famous landmark in the campus where their daddy proposed to me.  

Wendy was 8 years old in this photo while Bettina would be turning four.  Wendy was the most affected by the move and so were her classmates and playmate.  I remember at one point of the decision process of changing jobs, Meghan, her best friend from school, rejoiced when she found out that my husband changed his mind of moving to Michigan where he got his first job offer.  But ultimately he stuck with his decision to go to PPG.

We had a neighbor who had a child, Shane, who was younger than Wendy and a little older than Bettina.  The kids used to climb the fence to play at his yard.  He was invited to the kids' birthday parties.  When we were leaving in our Chevy station wagon, I saw him sitting on their window ledge looking sadly as the car sped away.  It was a heartbreaking scene.

The trip to Pittsburgh took two days.  Bettina had a terrible cold and had to take medication which we stored in a lunch box cooled with an ice pack.  When we got to the Squirrel Tunnel at about four in the afternoon, we were greeted with the Pittsburgh traffic at that junction.  Welcome to Pittsburgh!  We did not expect it and our bladders were full.

It has been 33 years ago since this photo was taken.  We are still in Pittsburgh.  Bob has retired from PPG two years ago.  It was a blessed move.  Pittsburgh has been a wonderful place to grow our family.  Our two daughters are all grown up now.  Wendy got married to Matt in 2008 and they have two children, Maddie and Luca.  

The photo always reminds me when I see it that everything works out. We were full of eagerness and hope but also had uncertainties then. I did not have a job when we moved but I found several teaching positions, at Westmoreland Community College, Carlow University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania where I fulfilled my passion to teach and also do some research.  We are blessed.  He is up there guiding us.

pray share chat 8/24/2022 topic Present moment

 

1.  Meditation

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FaEyA5IJk5Y

2.  Song

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZugvUQ4m90U

3.  Narrative

https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/the-present-moment/amp/

Ignatian Spirituality

The Present Moment

Melinda LeBlanc Melinda LeBlanc

10 months ago

“Blessed are those who live in the present moment, for they shall see God in all things.”

If I had been around when the Beatitudes were being written, I would have asked for this one to be included. For me, living in the present moment is just as important a virtue as meekness, peacemaking, being merciful, and all the other virtues listed in Matthew 5:3–12. It’s also just as difficult!

We live in a complicated, fast-paced world that pulls us in lots of directions. The job I had for 30 years before I retired required me to multitask. I had two computers with two monitors on my desk. I also had several programs to monitor during the day and had to coordinate several co-workers’ calendars. Looking back, I’m surprised I was able to carry on a decent conversation with my husband when I got home each night. I got to the point where I was quite good at multitasking. I succeeded in accomplishing all that was expected of me on the job. But many times at night, when I did the Examen, I could not recall the times when God was in my day. I was so spread out in various directions that I had neglected to be in the moments of the day with God. The real eye-opener for me happened one Sunday at Mass, when I completely missed the Consecration, because my mind had wandered off to what I’d be cooking for dinner that night.

St. Ignatius’s First Principle and Foundation states, “The goal of our life is to live with God forever. God, who loves us, gave us life. Our own response of love allows God’s life to flow into us without limit.” (Contemporary version by David Fleming, SJ) If we live our lives consciously aware that God is with us, giving us life and awaiting our response, how can we not live in the present moment? How can we not turn down the volume, unplug from the busyness, and be attentive to God? When I realized that every moment is a gift from God, given to me out of complete generosity, it was easier for me to pray for the desire to be more aware of each moment. We meet God in the present. It is in the present that we can receive the infinite graces and possibilities offered to us. It is in the present that we can connect with God’s creation.

Another foundational point of Ignatian spirituality is that God is indeed present to us always and in all ways. Our God is constantly communicating with us; we just need to listen. God says to us, “I AM.” (Exodus 3:14) God is here with us now in the present, not hiding in the background of our day.

So unplug from the background noise of the day, and live in the quality time of the present moment. Realize what continual distractions present themselves, and pray for the grace to be attentive to God here and now. Do it today; there’s no time like the present!

4.  Prayer

Prayer for the Present Moment

JUNE 10, 2019 / SHERIDURSIN

water lily

Loving God, I come to you as I am,

Rushed and frazzled, electricity buzzing from my fingertips,

Or sluggish, plodding through the mud, footsteps heavy and slow.

Whatever my pace, I have arrived at this precise moment with you.

Lord Jesus, I rest in the knowledge that you will meet me here,

At the crossroads of sorrow and joy,

Of confusion and clarity,

Of stress and serenity.

Heavenly Father, help me to pause.

To listen, and pray, and sit in the quiet

With you, my song blending with yours

In beautiful harmony

God of love, I pray for the inspiration to put away my own plans,

And discover what you have in mind for me

I am listening, I am here with you.

I will be present.

I will just BE.

5.  Meditation

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3NycM9lYdRI&t=44s

6.  Song

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xb1bx3hYfzg

Pray share chat 8/17/2022 aging

 

1.  meditation

https://youtu.be/AhzLB8mzB1s

2.  song

https://youtu.be/ZYkZE8AogDE

3,  Narrative

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/what-god-says-about-getting-older

What God Says About Getting Older

Paige DeRuyscher 

 

August 08, 2022

Imagine celebrating your birthday like you’re 10 years old again. Full of joy, excited for the year ahead, doing something you love with the ones who make you smile.

Why do so many of us stop celebrating as the years pass? Birthdays come and go – maybe there’s a dinner involved, a few cards, some well wishes online. We move up one number, and it’s business as usual.

What would it look like to really celebrate our years again – to begin shifting our focus from the fear of aging, to the rich, full lives God is calling us into as the years pass?

“Why grow old gracefully?” Says a beautiful, wrinkle-free woman, “I intend to fight it every step of the way!”

But what does God say about it all? If we listen to the One Who created us, we will hear all about grace and goodness; not fear and resistance.

He reminds us more than once in His Word that growing older is an honor. “Gray hair is a glorious crown…” Proverbs 16:31 CSB. The more years we live, the more experiences we’re given to learn from, and the more wisdom and perspective we gain to see life in new and beautiful ways. When we see someone in their later years (or when we look in the mirror and it’s us!) let’s remember what a gift that is.

And while the media leads us to believe that youth somehow has more value, the truth is, we are treasured by God at every age. Not only that, but He gives us specific gifts to share with the world in every season of our lives. In Titus 2:3-5 CSB, Paul reminds the older women of their great purpose – that by living reverent lives of love, self-control, purity and kindness, they will bless and nurture the hearts of the younger women and their families. The generations to come depend on our willingness to share what God has given us.

Some of us also fear growing older for physical reasons. Aging is often seen as a loss of control. Maybe our bodies aren’t able to do what they once could; our memories aren’t as sharp; we begin to need more help than we used to. As the years pass, our fear of the unknown may grow stronger.

But the truth is, we’ve never been in control anyway! From the moment we were created - whether we’ve realized it or not - we’ve relied on our Creator for every breath. Growing older helps us to shed that illusion of control more and more, and to rest in the promises of our loving God. Whether we’re 9 or 90, He vows to be with us every step of the way:

I will be the same until your old age, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear and rescue you. (Isaiah 46:4 CSB)

How can we lean into God as we age, trusting that every day matters, from our first to our last?

Claim His Promises - Sit with a journal and your Bible, and interview yourself about growing older. Am I afraid of aging? And if so, why? Once you’ve recorded your thoughts, find specific promises in God’s Word that will help bring you peace and assurance.

Make Healthy Choices - While the human body is not intended to live forever, we can still honor our Creator by making choices that bring us health and strength each day. We are here at this time for a reason – let’s not miss the opportunities to help guide and encourage those around us!

Celebrate Life Every Day - Whether you’re celebrating your birthday or that of someone you love, remember that every day in every life matters. Don’t wait for a milestone to make it extra special. Look in the mirror and cherish your laugh lines; remember how they are created.

Smile at the grays; God says they are splendid. Laugh at the future; remember Who’s holding it all.

4.  Prayer

PRAYER IN OLWD AGE

Lord, you know better than I know myself that

I am getting older and will someday be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must

say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all,

but you know, Lord, that I want a few friends at

the end. Keep my mind from the recital of endless details – give me the wings to come to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others’ pains, but help me

to endure them with patience. I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and

a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint – some of them are so hard to live with – but

a sour old woman is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and the talents in unexpected 

people. And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. Amen.”

https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/opinion/cc-lt-saunders-041419-story.html

5.  Meditation

https://youtu.be/FbXCjfwNORA

 

6.  Song

https://youtu.be/NVU--9NjfhI

pray share chat 8/10/2022 focus on Change

Focus of today's meeting is on change.

1.  Meditation

https://youtu.be/KJFB0Re8SMc

2.  Song

https://youtu.be/p8TCZiy5A2A

3.  Narrative

Rohr

 Sunday, July 5, 2020

The word change normally refers to new beginnings. But the mystery of transformation more often happens not when something new begins, but when something old falls apart. The pain of something old falling apart—chaos—invites the soul to listen at a deeper level, and sometimes forces the soul to go to a new place. Most of us would never go to new places in any other way. The mystics use many words to describe this chaos: fire, dark night, death, emptiness, abandonment, trial, the Evil One. Whatever it is, it does not feel good and it does not feel like God.

We will normally do anything to keep the old thing from falling apart, yet this is when we need patience and guidance, and the freedom to let go instead of tightening our controls and certitudes. Perhaps Jesus is describing just this phenomenon when he says, “It is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:14). Not accidentally, he mentions this narrow road right after teaching the Golden Rule. He knows how much letting go it takes to “treat others as you would like them to treat you” (Matthew 7:12).

While change can force a transformation, spiritual transformation always includes a disconcerting reorientation. It can either help people to find new meaning or it can force people to close down and slowly turn bitter. The difference is determined precisely by the quality of our inner life, our practices, and our spirituality. Change happens, but transformation is always a process of letting go, living in the confusing, shadowy space for a while. Eventually, we are spit up on a new and unexpected shore. You can see why Jonah in the belly of the whale is such an important symbol for many Jews and Christians.

In moments of insecurity and crisis, shoulds and oughts don’t really help. They just increase the shame, guilt, pressure, and likelihood of backsliding into unhealthy patterns. It’s the deep yeses that carry us through to the other side. It’s that deeper something we are strongly for—such as equality and dignity for all—that allows us to wait it out. It’s someone in whom we absolutely believe and to whom we commit. In plain language, love wins out over guilt any day.

4.  Prayer

Lord, help me to turn to You for change. As I begin to change my behavior, I ask that You help me think about this through Your eyes and Your love. Help me to process my thoughts and desires. Also, please help me to turn to You. Help me, awaken me, to Your presence and depth of love. Amen.

5.  Meditation

https://youtu.be/zW3-9bUhbRw

6.  Song

https://youtu.be/cZjMkSJ3gzI

Pray Share Chat 8/3/2022 Courageous listening

Focus of today's meeting is on courageous listening.

1.  Meditation
 

https://youtu.be/O2v5p89Zxp0

2.  Song

love goes on

https://youtu.be/rNdEoUsfiPE

3.  Narrative

Tuesday, July 26, 2022 

Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation

From the Center for Action and Contemplation

Courageous Listening

 

Sikh activist Valarie Kaur has made a commitment to listen to those with whom she disagrees. Here she describes some of the practices that make it possible:  

Deep listening is an act of surrender. We risk being changed by what we hear. When I really want to hear another person’s story, I try to leave my preconceptions at the door and draw close to their telling. I am always partially listening to the thoughts in my own head when others are speaking, so I consciously quiet my thoughts and begin to listen with my senses. . . . The most critical part of listening is asking what is at stake for the other person. I try to understand what matters to them, not what I think matters. Sometimes I start to lose myself in their story. As soon as I notice feeling unmoored, I try to pull myself back into my body, like returning home. As Hannah Arendt [1906–1975] says, “One trains one’s imagination to go visiting.” [1] When the story is done, we must return to our skin, our own worldview, and notice how we have been changed by our visit.  

Kaur understands the complicated nature of listening to those we see as our religious, cultural, and political “opponents” and the emotional toll it takes:  

It turns out it is extremely difficult to draw close to someone you find absolutely abhorrent. How do we listen to someone when their beliefs are disgusting? Or enraging? Or terrifying? . . . An invisible wall forms between us and them, a chasm that seems impossible to cross. We don’t even know why we should try to cross it. . . . In these moments, we can choose to remember that the goal of listening is not to feel empathy for our opponents, or validate their ideas, or even change their mind in the moment. Our goal is to understand them. . . .  

When listening gets hard, I focus on taking the next breath. I pay attention to sensations in my body: heat, clenching, and constriction. I feel the ground beneath my feet. Am I safe? If so, I stay and slow my breath again, quiet my mind, and release the pressure that pushes me to defend my position. I try to wonder about this person’s story and the possible wound in them. I think of an earnest question and try to stay curious long enough to be changed by what I hear. Maybe, just maybe, my opponent will begin to wonder about me in return, ask me questions, and listen to my story. Maybe their views will start to break apart and new horizons will open in the process. . . . Then again, maybe not. It doesn’t matter as long as the primary goal of listening is to deepen my own understanding. Listening does not grant the other side legitimacy. It grants them humanity—and preserves our own.

[1] Hannah Arendt, Lectures on Kant’s Political Philosophy, ed. Ronald Beiner (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1992), 43. 

Valarie Kaur, See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love (New York: One World, 2020), 143–144, 156, 157.  

 4.  Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I want to walk in spirit and truth, to walk humbly before You and to learn to be graciously patient, especially when I am with other people. Lord, I want to live a life that is honouring to You and to fulfil the role that You have given me to do within the body of Christ. 

Help me to be quick to listen to other people and not always be the one that wants other people to always listen to me. Help me to listen in love, not only their needs and hopes and fears but to listen to their advice and their opinions. May I be an encouragement to them, someone who lifts up the other person and considers their needs before my own. 

Help me to really listen to what they say and not to be waiting for an opportunity for me to discuss my opinions or display my own intelligence. Give me the grace and patience to be a good listener I pray, so that I may demonstrate the love of Jesus to all around me. In Jesus' name I pray, 

Amen.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/prayer-for-grace-to-listen-to-other-people-540

5.  Meditation

https://youtu.be/rOor-3U45tI

6.  Song

https://youtu.be/0XMGRUUFr0M