Greetings, Sisters, Brothers and friends of the Community!
I pray that this note finds you all well!
It has been said that one is nearest to God in a Garden. I guess this goes all the way back to Eden perhaps?
I happened to notice my shadow one afternoon as I roamed through the garden looking for the next vegetable side dish. There, in my straw farmer’s hat, I saw my shadow get twisted out of shape as it wrapped around the edge of a raised bed and get stretched along a walk, yielding to the shape of every weed and pebble.
It reminded me (I’m not sure why) of the impact I sometimes have on other people. My true image, when totally fueled by the Light of The Son, travels from me to its ultimate destination, carrying with it the fullest intent of love in its travels through time and space. Shaped by the Light, it leaves me in a specific form and manner, perfectly reflecting who I am.
But shadows (the impressions we leave on other people and things) are shaped by what they land on, not from where they come. Perhaps this is why we are sometimes misunderstood by others. It is not what we project to them, but the manner and shape that it is received. If the surface of the recipient is rough, what I have tried to do for them may also be viewed roughly. If their surface is slanted, perhaps I will also be seen as slanted.
We can only do our best in this world by being what we were meant to be. We can’t always worry about where our shadow falls, or what it will look like when it gets there. Just continue working God’s love and let the Holy Spirit smoothen out the surface. Just keep going, and do what you were made to do. That is your purpose for Him.
By the way, we had the broccoli!
Br. Daniel-Joseph
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Compassion
Dear Sisters, Brothers and Friends of the Community!
Back in the time of the Desert Fathers, Theodore came to Abbot Pambo and begged, “Give me a word to live by, Abba.” After careful thought, the Abbot responded, “Compassion. If you have compassion you can speak freely to God.”
As you walk through this coming week with God, check on your compassion. Compassion is being inside of the other to fully understand their situation and how it compares to what is supposed to be. Compassion is one part of what God shared with us as part of his image. Let this flow through to others, to creatures and to yourself. That’s what God does.
I keep you in my prayers daily,
Br. Daniel-Joseph, CTG
Back in the time of the Desert Fathers, Theodore came to Abbot Pambo and begged, “Give me a word to live by, Abba.” After careful thought, the Abbot responded, “Compassion. If you have compassion you can speak freely to God.”
As you walk through this coming week with God, check on your compassion. Compassion is being inside of the other to fully understand their situation and how it compares to what is supposed to be. Compassion is one part of what God shared with us as part of his image. Let this flow through to others, to creatures and to yourself. That’s what God does.
I keep you in my prayers daily,
Br. Daniel-Joseph, CTG
Saturday, July 4, 2009
July 4th - Independence Day?
Greetings, Sisters, Brothers, and Friends of the Community!
July 4th has been set aside as a day to celebrate the birth of America, to celebrate independence not only for us, but to express a hope that one day all peoples of the world will have freedom.
I can’t help wonder, though, if by wishing for this we get a bit off track.
Wanting to be independent, to be free, rather than being interdependent, was the mistake made back in the Garden of Eden. When we become truly independent, we disconnect ourselves from God, from others, and from nature, not realizing how very much interconnected we all really are. What one person does really affects another, what one person does really affects nature. It’s unmistakable when we look at the record of mankind throughout history.
Becoming truly independent actually brings us into a state of slavery. We become more easily susceptible to the influences of culture and societal norms that may or may not be good for us. We become ensnared in the desires, attachments and prejudices of our runaway egos, causing these scales to build up over our eyes very much like what happened to Saul. The prominence of false values become the norm to which all aspire.
True freedom rests in living a life with God, interconnected with each other. It comes when we shed the shackle of these scales, like Saul did in Acts 9:17-18, and allowing the truth of the Holy Spirit to flow through us. True freedom comes when we finally shed our false self and begin to live the life that God meant us to live, serving Him in our own unique way – a way that no one else could ever possibly do. As Psalm 137:4 asks, “How can we sing the Lord’s song (being who we really are) in a strange land?” (A land where although we think we’re independent we are actually under the influence of a misguided system.)
As Richard Rohr states, “It’s quite clear that in the final analysis it’s the grace of God that liberates us. It’s the experience of divine and unconditional love that really sets us free. No political system can offer us this inner liberty.”
Let us worship the Father in spirit and truth, for it is the truth that shall set you free.
Br. Daniel-Joseph, CTG
July 4th has been set aside as a day to celebrate the birth of America, to celebrate independence not only for us, but to express a hope that one day all peoples of the world will have freedom.
I can’t help wonder, though, if by wishing for this we get a bit off track.
Wanting to be independent, to be free, rather than being interdependent, was the mistake made back in the Garden of Eden. When we become truly independent, we disconnect ourselves from God, from others, and from nature, not realizing how very much interconnected we all really are. What one person does really affects another, what one person does really affects nature. It’s unmistakable when we look at the record of mankind throughout history.
Becoming truly independent actually brings us into a state of slavery. We become more easily susceptible to the influences of culture and societal norms that may or may not be good for us. We become ensnared in the desires, attachments and prejudices of our runaway egos, causing these scales to build up over our eyes very much like what happened to Saul. The prominence of false values become the norm to which all aspire.
True freedom rests in living a life with God, interconnected with each other. It comes when we shed the shackle of these scales, like Saul did in Acts 9:17-18, and allowing the truth of the Holy Spirit to flow through us. True freedom comes when we finally shed our false self and begin to live the life that God meant us to live, serving Him in our own unique way – a way that no one else could ever possibly do. As Psalm 137:4 asks, “How can we sing the Lord’s song (being who we really are) in a strange land?” (A land where although we think we’re independent we are actually under the influence of a misguided system.)
As Richard Rohr states, “It’s quite clear that in the final analysis it’s the grace of God that liberates us. It’s the experience of divine and unconditional love that really sets us free. No political system can offer us this inner liberty.”
Let us worship the Father in spirit and truth, for it is the truth that shall set you free.
Br. Daniel-Joseph, CTG
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