email: whitpresby@charterinternet.com
Spiritual readings "Greetings from Whittier Presbyterian Church"
January/February 2006
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St. John Chrysostom, “Dead to Sin” |
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Celtic Spring |
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Introduction to Merrill Psalm paraphrase |
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Catherine of Genoa |
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St. Francis de Sales on false humility |
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Mr. Rogers on true strength |
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Maximus the Confessor on true friendship |
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Bartholomew I on Transformation & Silence |
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The Cloud of Unknowing |
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Gerald McDermott on Suffering & challenge |
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Therese of Lisieux |
The beginning of a new year carries with it hopes and intentions to make the new year better than the last year. We are familiar with “New Year’s Resolutions” and the accompanying suggestions for how to achieve them. I have suggestions to pass on to you from Richard Foster, who is commenting upon a sermon of John Chrysostom, a 4th Century preacher of great renown. Foster and James Bryan Smith edited a book called “Devotional Classics; Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups”, Harper San Francisco, 1990. Chrysostom’s sermon is entitled “Dead to Sin” and here is Foster’s take on it.
“But how do we become dead to sin? “Start…by avoiding vice,” says the preacher. Do it for two days, then the third day will be easier. Go for ten days, “then twenty, then a hundred, then your whole life.” He, of course, is calling us to th3 development of “holy habits” that in time will take over our lives and bring death to sin. So basic, yet so important. All habits become habits by simple repetition, and holy habits are no exception. And as we experience more and more deeply the ingrained character of these holy habits, we learn what the moral philosophers mean when they say, “Virtue is easy.”
Foster, and Chrysostom, are talking about negative action “Don’t do something for two days,…ten days…etc.” But you can take the same idea and turn it around, as Foster does in the next to last sentence. You can wake 10 minutes early to pray each morning. Do it for two days, the third will be easier…and pretty soon it becomes a regular habit. This is the kind of practice we often suggest for Lent, but why not for the new year? One could start having a more spiritually based year by trying some new devotional practice, one day at a time.
May your new year bring greater blessings for you and yours.
Grace & peace
Geoff
ATTENTION – Seems I’ve fixed the transmission issues by shifting everything to my church computer. However, I will be gone for the next three weeks and won’t have access to my church computer. So, NO EMAILS FOR THE NEST THREE WEEKS. I look forward to writing you again on Jan. 31.
We are enjoying 80 degree weather this week in Southern California but I know it is not like that in much of the rest of the country. Here is some ninth-century Celtic material that might help us recall that Spring will be here before we know it and, indeed, can be in our hearts always. It comes from an article on Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Spirituality in the book “The Story of Christian Spirituality” edited by Gordon Mursell, Fortress Press, 2001.
A hedge of trees surrounds me,
A blackbird’s voice sings to me;
Above my lined book
The call of birds chants to me.
In a grey mantle from the topmost bush
The cuckoo sings:
Truly may the good Lord protect me;
At peace I shall write under the green canopy.
To paraphrase one of my favorite musical selections of the past year (see email of Jan. 28, 2005 at http://www.whitpresby.org/jan_2005_emails.htm) “When I am happy in Him (Jesus), December’s as pleasant as May.” That is the spirit of this Celtic piece. May it be the spirit in your heart today.
Grace & peace
Geoff
I’ve been using a paraphrase of the Psalms for my daily prayers for a few months now. I mentioned it in the email of Dec. 6, 2005. It is “Psalms for Praying” by Nan Merrill, Continuum publishing, 2005. Here are some of her introductory words.
“The Psalms have ever been a response to these deep yearnings: cries of the soul…songs of surrender…paeans of praise. The Psalms of the Hebrew Scripture often reflect a patriarchal society based on fear and guilt that projects evil and sin onto outer enemies. “Psalms for Praying” reflects the reciprocity of Divine Love that opens the heart to forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing. Affirming the life-giving fruits of love and acknowledging the isolation and loneliness of those separated from Love, may seve to awaken the heart to move toward wholeness and holiness.
Aspiring to live in a spirit of cooperation, co-creation, and companionship with the Beloved, rather than invoking a spirit of competition with God, other individuals and nations—so much a part of the Hebrew Scripture Psalms—seems clearly a more loving movement toward engendering peach, harmony, and healing in our wounded world.”
In the same way I use paraphrases of the Bible to broaden my understanding of a particular text, so too does this paraphrase of the Psalms broaden my prayer life. Part of me misses the slaying of enemies and vengeance upon their families, but another part of me likes the deeper and more direct way that Merrill’s paraphrase speaks to me. How we think of God influences the way we pray and live. May you live in and with the love of God, and may you be a vehicle of that love for others.
Grace & peace
Geoff
One of the discoveries for me in my recent studies has been Catherine of Genoa, who lived from 1447 to 1510. Here is an excerpt from her “Life and Teachings” that is taken from “Devotional Classics; Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups” edited by Richard J. Foster and James Bryan Smith, Harper, San Francisco, 2005 (Revised Edition).
“The selfishness that is within us, however, is so contrary to God that God cannot induce us to do his will except by a clever strategy: promising us grater things than what the world can give—even in this life—and promising a kind of consolation that the world does not know. God does this, I think, because he knows how much we are attached to pleasure. He knows that we are the kind who will not leave our one little toy unless we are offered four!”
This is her analysis of the “pie in the sky” aspect of our religion. She gets at the way we also think that, to mix metaphors, we can “have our cake and eat it too.” I’ve always been uneasy with, yet all too susceptible to, the idea that we Christians have the best deal and therefore can feel superior to others. According to Catherine of Genoa, God uses that susceptibility to get our attention. Then begins the hard work of really understanding what God is all about in this world. To follow her image, it’s the growing up part.
May you be assisted as you do today’s part of understanding what God is doing in your life.
Grace & peace
Geoff
I’ve recently had the opportunity to look at the writing of Francis de Sales again and found this piece among them. This comes from the “modern interpretation” of Sales’ “Introduction to the Devout Life” by Bernard Bangley, entitled “Authentic Devotion” Shaw Books, 2002. Some words of caution for us.
“Some people hold back in their spiritual life because they feel inadequate. For instance, they explain their failure to practice silent prayer on the grounds that they are not perfect enough. They do not participate in Communion because they feel unclean and poorly prepared. Some will not do the things they can do well for God and neighbor because they fear it may fill them with pride.
This is not the product of humility. It is a spiritual illness with nasty results. Such people are actually denigrating Christian behavior. They are attempting to secretly protect their own selfish notions and laziness. Their humility is a falsely applied thin veneer of deceit. It is a sham.”
These are some hard words. Don’t we sometimes need the hard words to crack our own veneers of deceit or laziness or selfishness? Alas, I know I need harsh words or harsh events to break through my own self-centeredness. How about you?
May you be blessed with whatever it takes to get God’s grace to you this day.
Grace & peace
Geoff
One of the books I received at Christmas was “The World According to Mister Rogers,” Hyperion Press, 2003. It is a compilation of short sayings from The Rev. Fred Rogers, creator and ‘star’ of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Here’s one from the chapter titled “The Courage to Be Yourself.”
“Most of us, I believe, admire strength. It’s something we tend to respect in others, desire for ourselves, and wish for our children. Sometimes, though, I wonder if we confuse strength with other words—like ‘aggression’ and even ‘violence’. Real strength is neither male nor female; but it is, quite simply, one of the finest characteristics that any human being can possess.”
In addition to Mr. Rogers’ words of aggression and violence, I might add ‘arrogance’ and ‘domination’. These are malevolently twisted or deformed understandings of or expressions of strength. The kind of real strength that Mister Rogers is talking about has great freedom in it and compassion and respect for others. I’m pretty sure Jesus would agree. May you find true strength in your self this day.
Grace & peace
Geoff
This last Saturday evening, our Nueva Vida church group held a dinner to honor Valentine’s day, calling it a celebration of love and friendship. That friendship element is a nice way to open Valentine’s Day to others, beyond the special relationship you may or may not have with one other person. Here are some words on friendship from St. Maximus the Confessor, one of the “fathers” of the Christian church during the seventh century. It comes from “Early Fathers from the Philokalia” Faber & Faber, 1973. I’ve updated the language slightly.
“‘A faithful friend is a strong defense’ (Ecclesiasticus 6:14). For in good times he/she is a good counselor and a devoted helper, and in adversity—a sincere intercessor and a defender, who shares in suffering.”
In our ‘love-obsessed’ culture, we often overlook the dimensions of love found in friendship. The scripture quoted by Maximus may be found in the apocryphal or Deuterocanonical books of the Bible, if you have a Bible with those works included. It is also known as the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach, or just Sirach. There are several verses in chapter 6 of that book that apply to friendship.
May your Valentine’s day be expanded to cover the friendships with which God has blessed you.
Grace & peace
Geoff
Tuesday’s email quoted from the Philokalia, a collection of sayings and writings from the early centuries of the Christian Church. On Tuesday, the 9th Assembly of the World Council of churches began meeting in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The Opening talk was given by His All Holiness, Bartholomew I, archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and ecumenical patriarch. He is "first among equals" among the heads of Eastern Orthodox churches, which count an estimated 250 million faithful world-wide. He made reference to the Philokalia in his opening remarks, in the section entitled “Transformation as healing of the heart.” Here are those opening remarks.
“The Philokalia, a classical anthology of early Christian texts on prayer, underlines the astonishing paradox that transformation is achieved through silence: “When you discover silence in your heart, then you will discern God in the world entire!” In other words, transformation begins with the awareness that God is at the center of all life. “Be still, and know God.” (Psalm 44:1) Through silence, we realize that the grace of God is much closer to us, indeed does more to define who we are, than our own selves!. The transformation of the heart is the profound awareness that “the kingdom of God is within. (Luke 17:21)
Inner transformation, however, requires radical change. In religious terminology, it requires “metanoia”, a change in attitudes and assumptions. We cannot be transformed unless we have first been cleansed of whatever stands in opposition to transformation, until we have understood what disfigures the human heart.”
Such a process of self-discovery only results from God’s grace, and leads ultimately to a genuine respect of human nature, with all its flaws and failures—both within ourselves and in others. It paves the way for respect towards every human being, irrespective of differences—within society and the global community. Through inner transformation, these differences are welcomed, honored and embraced as unique pieces of a sacred puzzle; they constitute part of the deeper mystery of God’s wonderful creation.
He goes on to talk about transformation as healing of the community and as healing of the earth. You can read the whole speech at http://www.wcc-assembly.info/en/news-media/features/english-features/article/1087/transformation-calls-for.html. Its very short.
Bartholomew I, also known for his efforts to connect ecology and spirituality, has earned the title of "Green Patriarch". He is known for his vigorous promotion of dialogue and reconciliation between the Christian, Islamic and Jewish worlds.
There is also a beautiful icon reproduced at the WCC website, which you can see here:
May you allow the transformation of your heart which God wishes for you. How might God desire to transform you this day?
Grace & peace
Geoff
I recently had an opportunity to look through excerpts from one of the classics of Christian spirituality, “The Cloud of Unknowing.” It is found in “Light from Light: An anthology of Christian Mysticism” edited by Louis Dupré and James A. Wiseman, Paulist Press, 1988. These excerpts are from chapter 3. I’ve updated some of the pronouns.
“Lift up your heart to God with a humble impulse of love; and have God’s self as your aim, not any of God’s goods. Take care that you avoid thinking of anything but God, so that there is nothing for your reason or your will to work on, except God…..it is the easiest exercise of all and most readily accomplished when a soul is helped by grace in this felt desire; otherwise it would be extraordinarily difficult for you to make this exercise. Do not hang back then, but labor in it until you experience the desire. For when you first begin to undertake it, all that you find is a darkness, a sort of cloud of unknowing; you cannot tell what it is, except that you experience in your will a simple reaching out to God….So set yourself to rest in this darkness as long as you can, always crying out after God whom you love. For if you are to experience God or to see God at all, insofar as it is possible here, it must always be in this cloud and in this darkness.”
That gives you an idea of where the title of this classic comes from. I’m reminded much of Centering Prayer (http://www.centeringprayer.com/) and the words in the Bible about not being able to see God’s face(Exodus 33:20), yet keeping our focus on God (as in purity of heart or single-ness of eye in the Sermon on the Mount). If you’d like to know more, you might want to consider the Companions on the Inner Way retreat coming up next month. See below for more. I like the idea suggested above, that our desire to see God is enough. We need not be successful in seeing God. That is not possible. But our desire to do so can shape our whole lives in wonderful and beneficial ways.
May you nurture that desire in your life today.
Grace & peace
Geoff
I’ve been studying some of the material of Jonathan Edwards, that great early American preacher and theologian, and ran across this quote. It comes from the book “Seeing God; Jonathan Edwards and Spiritual Discernment”, by Gerald R. McDermott, Regent College Publishing, Canada, 1995. These are words of Mc Dermott, not Edwards. They address issues of suffering and challenge.
“A building’s strength is tested by a strong wind or, if it is in California, by an earthquake. A soldier’s mettle becomes known only in battle. A car’s safety and strength are revealed in a collision. To determine if a walking stick is strong or rotten in the middle, we put weight on it and watch what happens. To see the condition of our souls, we should observe ourselves during and after suffering. God may be testing our practice to show us where we stand.”
Some helpful illustrations I think. They do not apply to all conditions of suffering and there are other dynamics in suffering, but these analogies might be helpful in the face of challenges and suffering that you know about.
May God you strengthen you for every challenge that may come your way.
Grace & peace
Geoff
Another of the featured spiritual writers who will be featured at the Companions on the Inner Way retreat next month (see below) is St. Therese of Lisieux. Here is a short excerpt from her “Story of a Soul.” It comes from "Light from Light: An anthology of Christian Mysticism" edited by Louis Dupré and James A. Wiseman, Paulist Press, 1988. She is writing her response to Matthew5:43-44, Jesus’ command to love enemies.
“No doubt, we don’t have any enemies in Carmel (her convent), but there are feelings. One feels attracted to this Sister, whereas with regard to another one would make a long detour in order to avoid meeting her. And so, without even knowing it, she becomes the subject of persecution. Well, Jesus is telling me that it is this Sister who must be loved, she must be prayed for even though her conduct would lead me to believe that she doesn’t love me:…”
Lest we ever think those in monasteries and convents are one bit more “spiritual” than we in the world, Therese’s words level the playing field. I love the way she keeps this teaching of Jesus right close to home.
May you find God’s strength to love your enemies today, both those far away and those close to your heart.
Grace & peace
Geoff
