In difficult questions, although I think I understand them and am speaking the truth, I always say 'it appears to me . . .'; for, in case my opinion is wrong, I am most willing to submit to the judgement of theologians. Although they may not have had personal experience in such matters, yet in some way I do not understand, God who sets them to give light to his Church enables them to recognize the truth
when it is put before them.
- Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle
(What role does theology play in your spiritual life? How is ongoing study part of your regimen of spiritual disciplines?)
---------------------
Webinar on Covid-19 Conspiracy Theories and the "Mark of the Beast," by Philip St. Romain and Jerry Truex
July 9, 2020: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
|
HOS 11:1-4, 8E-9; Ps 80:2AC AND 3B, 15-16
MT 10:7-15
Jesus said to his Apostles:
“As you go, make this proclamation:
‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;
no sack for the journey, or a second tunic,
or sandals, or walking stick.
The laborer deserves his keep.
Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it,
and stay there until you leave.
As you enter a house, wish it peace.
If the house is worthy,
let your peace come upon it;
if not, let your peace return to you.
Whoever will not receive you or listen to your wordsC
go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.
Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment
than for that town.”
Shalom Place Covid-19 resource page
- Practical, inspirational and spiritually formative writings and podcasts
Reflection on the Scriptures |
In his book Barking to the Choir, Jesuit priest Greg Boyle, S.J. writes that “Paradise is not a place that awaits our arrival, but a present we arrive at. A place, in fact, we are already in. How many chances a day are we given to recognize this – an opportunity to practice sacred presence?”
We find Paradise by opening our hearts to the people around us. By recognizing how sacred and beloved by God each person we meet really is, it changes our interactions.
We already have all we need. Jesus cautions us against feeling we need some special equipment or training: “Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick.”
We have what we need to be in the Kingdom, except an awareness of that. It takes practice to be aware. Each morning we can ask Jesus for the focus and open heart to really encounter each person we come across. In the smallest interaction, we can look into the eyes of the person we are with, as we really see the person, the life before us, recognizing the person before us is
as beloved by God as deeply as we are beloved. That is when miracles can begin. Healing of the sick, might mean reaching out to someone we are angry with or who annoys us. It might mean healing of our impatience with others. Our mindful love for others might cleanse the lepers of judgement and drive out demons of anger.
Fr. Boyle writes, “The discovery that awaits us is that Paradise is contained in the here and now. We let go of the desire to expect anything beyond it. The awareness of this keeps us from the suffering generated by resisting life as it is.” Boyle adds, “If your anchor is not centered in today, then you’ll blink and miss the delight of this very moment, which is always with us and
is the perfect teacher.”
- by Ronald Fussell
Revelations of Divine Love
- by Julian of Norwich
Sixteenth Revelation, Chapter 77
"Accuse not thyself overmuch, deeming that thy tribulation and thy woe is all thy fault."
"All thy living is penance profitable."
"In the remedy He willeth that we rejoice"
This place is prison and this life is penance, and in the remedy He willeth that we rejoice. The remedy is that our Lord is with us, keeping and leading into the fulness of joy. For this is an endless joy to us in our Lord's signifying, that He that shall be our bliss when we are there, He is our keeper while we are here. Our way and our heaven is true
love and sure trust; and of this He gave understanding in all [the Shewings] and especially in the Shewing of the Passion where He made me mightily to choose Him for my heaven.
|
|
|
