Can You Listen and Witness?

Today's video gives the example of a difficulty I particularly have - can you be a listener, rather than a savior?  This is generally the point in society where people divide men from women, as women tend to want to solve their own problems, but they want to be able to share or talk about them with another.  However it's not a gender specific trait, merely a societally trained norm that likely does not need to be continued.

Think about those people who were there at the Cross, being a witness to the pain and suffering Christ experienced - not being able to save Him or solve a problem, but simply being with Him in His last hours.  The ability to stand and witness what is a unique journey for each person is one that should be cherished and encouraged in all people. 

Which is not necessarily to say that people need to wallow in that pain - sometimes the brick method is needed - but that's for another day.

Today, work on listening, being there, when someone needs you to witness for them.

Collaboration

Today's video introduces the topic this week of Collaboration. The brothers give several examples of collaboration that can occur within their monastic life, collectively and personally.

So first, here, the definition of collaboration is the act of working, one with another; cooperating.  One of the brothers talked about the collaboration it took to create the laws under which the brothers live, and that they are constantly in collaboration about those, helping one another to fulfill the tasks and teaching new brothers the ropes, so to speak.  In our own church life, we have the same collaboration for vestry work, committee work, accomplishing any of the many tasks that must occur in the successful running of a church.

So, apply collaboration in your own life?  Do you include God in your collaborations?  (Marriage, children, secular committees and groups) 

And more importantly, are you currently feeling drawn toward collaborating with someone, and/or with God alone, to accomplish something in your own life that will make you more aware of God in your everyday life?

Anything stopping you from starting today?

Praying through Signs and Symbols

If you've missed any of the videos in this week's Lenten series, please see the last five blog posts to catch up.  Given the topics, tomorrow morning's discussion at coffee hour should be interesting as we find individuals' answers to the questions asked.

And if you're all caught up and would like to continue with the Prayer Series found in the Monastic Wisdom section of the SSJE site, today, we'll talk about the sermon given by Br. Curtis Almquist on praying through signs and symbols.  You can either listen or read, or both.

The challenge here is to see the holy, the complex, the infinite in the simple, everyday signs and symbols we are given, and to live each moment of our lives experiencing the revelation of God.  This is a huge challenge!  But these are things we've been addressing in smaller pieces throughout this Lenten season - how does one live life aware of the Divine in all things?  One moment at a time, one thought at a time, one action at a time - and working to keep God at the forefront of our thoughts that we might be gifted with those revelatory insights in everything we do, everyone we meet, every bit of nature we come across. 

You may find that prayer comes easily to you as you realize the Divine in the simple and cannot help but thank God for the insights He provides through His creation.

Speaking Your Name

Today's video talks about the conversation between Christ and Mary Magdalene after He has arisen, and that until He says her name, she does not recognize him.  However, as soon as he does say her name, recognition is instantaneous. 

Our creator is the same and never changes despite the names given Him by people here and in all parts of the world. Even if we gave Him no name at all, He would still be there, within us, waiting to give us good on this earth.  George Washington Carver

Interestingly, there are thousands of names for God, but each of us has our own individual name; each type of plant, animal and rock has a name, but individually, unless they're someone's pet, we don't know individual names for them.  Our name carries with us a unique individual identity.  In some cultures, given names are hidden in the belief that they contain power, and one should not give their power away.  In Middle Eastern societies, names change based on what you have accomplished over the years.  Among Catholics, you choose a name of a saint whom you most admire or wish to emulate to add to your name at confirmation.

And while hearing your full name spoken by a parent often inspires fear in one's heart in the Western world, 'cause you only get the full name when you're in trouble, think back to all the times people have said your name, your nickname, your full name.  Hear the various voices used - the anger, irritation, love, fondness, impatience.

Now put yourself in Mary's place.  Use the "Prayer with Imagination" technique.  And hear the Christ say your name.  With what emotion does He speak?

Invitation to Change?

Today's video makes a really important point with regard to change in your life.  Br. Tom Shaw points out:

And I think the most wonderful thing about it is that I always know that it’s not the voice of God or the movement of God in my life if it’s something that feels too difficult and too isolating. That whenever God is offering me a challenge, I also have this great sense that well this might be difficult but the spirit will be there and the spirit will … well, the yoke will be easy and the burden will be light.

Think about the ways in which you are being led to change - does it match the description above?  Or is it a change of your own, or society's making - that may not be good for you, that feels too difficult or too isolating?  Perhaps that should be the litmus test with regard to whether we're responding to God's call.

And then there's also the possibility that God is drawing you to change, and you're fighting against it - causing yourself untold amounts of problems.  Prayer and some honest soul-searching may be the best way to determine how your life should go forward.

Have You Said Yes?

Today's video provides another very challenging question:  have you responded to Christ's invitation to new life, and said "Yes!" to who you can become in Christ? 

And if you've said, maybe, I'd like to try this, or no, I'm not really qualified to do that - why?  What's holding you back from being everything that Christ needs you to be - that He's asked you to undertake in His name?

Is there a way that you can at least move forward to answer the call, to make yourself better prepared while you work through whatever is holding you back?  Is there education, languages, skills, preparation, money, time for your kids to grow - any of the things that may be holding you back currently?  Is there someone who can help you accommodate all your reservations about saying "Yes!" to Christ and find work-arounds?

When Christ called the apostles, each of them put down what they were doing, and followed him, becoming fishers of men.  If we truly believe in one, holy catholic and Apostolic church, can we do any less?

Unique Connection

Today's video should definitely make you think, and be truly in awe at how interconnected everything and everyone in the universe is.  The concept brought forward in the Gospel of John is a statement about the oneness of the Trinity - through the Word (also known as Christ), God breathed the universe into existence.  That breath of God, the Holy Spirit, inhabits and enlivens each of us, with every breath taken - and knowing how important and powerful the Word can be - it should make you think about your own words, knowing that the Holy Spirit also powers your very breath that allows you to speak.  The Word is not just what is spoken, but every action you take - it is the manifestation of God.

Talk about a responsibility!  Today, spend the day aware of your own importance, in how you interact with the other creations of God; in how you want your words to be heard, your actions perceived; in how the Holy Spirit flows through your every breath.

Then come back and tell us - in what way did you uniquely reflect the love of God today?