Greetings, Sisters, Brothers, and Friends of the Community!
It has been raining here since yesterday morning, and almost all the snow that we have been moving from place to place by hand and machine over the last several months has disappeared! I can see brown frozen grass again! It made me think about this past winter (it was a LONG one!) and all the energy and calories we burned moving this white stuff around, but not really being able to do anything about getting rid of it. We had to wait for some other intervention to do that for us.
So, is there a lesson in this for me? (Since I have so much to learn, there is a lesson in almost everything for me!) EFFORT is an interesting thing. It is necessary, and yet we sometimes put too much value on what it can do. Drawing a bit from DeMello here, effort can change your behavior, but it can not change you. It can put food into your mouth, but it can not produce the appetite. It can put you in bed when you are tired, but it can not produce sleep. It can be used to pay someone a compliment, but it can not produce genuine admiration for that person. Effort can perform acts of service, but it is powerless to produce love or holiness. Effort can plant seeds and water the garden, but it can not make things grow.
Effort is important, because it is our part of helping God with His creation; it is our part of setting the stage for our spiritual transformation. But let us not think that this is the whole of it. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, real growth and change does not happen. It is a gift. Do not think that by your effort alone you will change the world or even yourself. It is important to do what you have to do each and every moment, but also to stay connected to God in Christ so that he can work through you to do what He does.
Do you ask yourself, “What do I want out of life?” or do you ask, “What does life want out of me?” One is effort-based. The other is almost effortless. You choose!
Know that God loves you all!
Your huffing and puffing Brother,
Daniel-Joseph
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Cloak of Many Colors
Greetings, Sisters, Brothers and Friends of the Community!
Many blessings to you this Palm Sunday and for this Holy Week to come!
Each of the four Gospels records Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem amid expressions of honor by the people of the city. Matthew, Mark and Luke mention that people spread their cloaks on the road as Jesus approached. (John mentions the palm branches.)
As clothing, cloaks certainly serve to protect people from cold and other elements. But they can also serve to demonstrate social status and wealth, or even cover shame and guilt. In other words, they can attempt to create an image of something we are really not, perhaps much like clothes are used today. What I received from meditating on these Gospel reports is that, for me, the removal of the cloaks and laying them at Christ’s feet represented the willingness of the people to remove an outer covering of themselves, a false self, revealing to Christ who they really were. In Christ’s presence they knew that they were safe and that there was no point in covering up. Christ accepts us for who we truly are.
Cloaks come in many colors: attachments, envy, pride, shame, guilt, prejudices, bias, conceit. I have my own cloaks to lay at his feet this Palm Sunday. I ask you to lay yours there, too. Let us continue to honor the presence of Jesus during this Holy Week and beyond by spreading our “cloaks” at his feet. He will step over them and continue with us on our journey to the heart.
Your cloak-full brother,
Daniel-Joseph
Many blessings to you this Palm Sunday and for this Holy Week to come!
Each of the four Gospels records Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem amid expressions of honor by the people of the city. Matthew, Mark and Luke mention that people spread their cloaks on the road as Jesus approached. (John mentions the palm branches.)
As clothing, cloaks certainly serve to protect people from cold and other elements. But they can also serve to demonstrate social status and wealth, or even cover shame and guilt. In other words, they can attempt to create an image of something we are really not, perhaps much like clothes are used today. What I received from meditating on these Gospel reports is that, for me, the removal of the cloaks and laying them at Christ’s feet represented the willingness of the people to remove an outer covering of themselves, a false self, revealing to Christ who they really were. In Christ’s presence they knew that they were safe and that there was no point in covering up. Christ accepts us for who we truly are.
Cloaks come in many colors: attachments, envy, pride, shame, guilt, prejudices, bias, conceit. I have my own cloaks to lay at his feet this Palm Sunday. I ask you to lay yours there, too. Let us continue to honor the presence of Jesus during this Holy Week and beyond by spreading our “cloaks” at his feet. He will step over them and continue with us on our journey to the heart.
Your cloak-full brother,
Daniel-Joseph
Monday, March 10, 2008
Fear and Punishment
Greetings, Sister, Brothers, and Friends of the Community!
Here’s a little verse to reflect on this coming week. I’d be interested in knowing your thoughts about it:
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.” I John 4:18
For me, although this appears on the surface as a possible measurement for our state of love, I was drawn to the phrase “for fear has to do with punishment.”
Our society certainly has an element of fear woven throughout, and it is used quite prominently in political campaigns and to shape public opinion. And although fear is a highly effective motivator, and can alert us to some real dangers, it loses much of its power when we consider it in the same light that John did – “fear has to do with punishment.”
Generally when we are “afraid” we are holding the fear in the present moment as we imagine some forthcoming consequence, predicament or malady in the future. John knew that if we diminish the power of the punishment, that is, we no longer consider it detrimental to our interests, then the present moment fear withers away in direct proportion to the impact of the punishment.
So, how can we do this? Well, first we need to consider if the “punishment” is real, or man-made. How often did our worry in the past actually bring the “fruits” it promised? Rarely.
And what exactly is being threatened? Is it our true self (which is destructible only by God himself) or is it our own egos, which can be dented by the awkward glance of a child?
It is important to distinguish between the things that really matter and those that don’t (which is most of the stuff we can think up). With God in control of our ultimate destiny, decide what really matters to you now.
Blessings to all!
Brother Daniel-Joseph, CTG
Here’s a little verse to reflect on this coming week. I’d be interested in knowing your thoughts about it:
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.” I John 4:18
For me, although this appears on the surface as a possible measurement for our state of love, I was drawn to the phrase “for fear has to do with punishment.”
Our society certainly has an element of fear woven throughout, and it is used quite prominently in political campaigns and to shape public opinion. And although fear is a highly effective motivator, and can alert us to some real dangers, it loses much of its power when we consider it in the same light that John did – “fear has to do with punishment.”
Generally when we are “afraid” we are holding the fear in the present moment as we imagine some forthcoming consequence, predicament or malady in the future. John knew that if we diminish the power of the punishment, that is, we no longer consider it detrimental to our interests, then the present moment fear withers away in direct proportion to the impact of the punishment.
So, how can we do this? Well, first we need to consider if the “punishment” is real, or man-made. How often did our worry in the past actually bring the “fruits” it promised? Rarely.
And what exactly is being threatened? Is it our true self (which is destructible only by God himself) or is it our own egos, which can be dented by the awkward glance of a child?
It is important to distinguish between the things that really matter and those that don’t (which is most of the stuff we can think up). With God in control of our ultimate destiny, decide what really matters to you now.
Blessings to all!
Brother Daniel-Joseph, CTG
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Statio
Greetings, Sisters, Brothers, and Friends of the Community!
Multi-tasking: the ability to do more than one thing at a time (at least in theory).
In a world of Blackberries, cell phones, iPods, beepers, Palm Pilots and you-name-it, we can easily lose our sense of connectedness to God. This can be a world where we are continually asked to do more with less, and to do it faster and cheaper. When this happens, the mortar of our lives that once held us together begins to crumble, and can result in stress and despair.
When we get sufficiently tired of this sort of thing, we begin to look for escape or remedy. Here’s one possible answer for you – statio.
Statio: the ability to do nothing at all.
This is an oft-forgotten little tool that recently came to my attention again after being awakened from a period of dormancy in some dusty back corner of my brain.
(Yes, I must have corners in my brain because in my youth I was often referred to as a block-head.)
Joan Chittister calls statio “the practice of stopping one thing before we start another.”
Statio is a time when we stop what we are doing, even if only for a brief moment or two, and reconnect with God. It's like taking a sip of cool water on a hot day – it's refreshing to the soul.
Chittister adds, “The practice of statio is meant to center us and make us conscious of what we’re about to do and make us present to the God who is present to us. Statio is the desire to do consciously what I might otherwise do mechanically. Statio is the virtue of the Presence.” (Wisdom Distilled from the Daily, Harper, 1991)
Statio can come in many forms, but the idea is to just take a moment or two and reconnect with God. Short prayers, quick walks outside, a brief meditation on a picture; anything that might get you back in tune with your creator and what your purpose in life is. Watch for those openings in your hustle-bustle day where you can put the brakes on, pause for a moment, and remember who and what you really are! Do this as many times as you can during the day.
Know that God loves you and blesses you for being you!
Well, time for a little statio…
Br. Daniel-Joseph, CG
Multi-tasking: the ability to do more than one thing at a time (at least in theory).
In a world of Blackberries, cell phones, iPods, beepers, Palm Pilots and you-name-it, we can easily lose our sense of connectedness to God. This can be a world where we are continually asked to do more with less, and to do it faster and cheaper. When this happens, the mortar of our lives that once held us together begins to crumble, and can result in stress and despair.
When we get sufficiently tired of this sort of thing, we begin to look for escape or remedy. Here’s one possible answer for you – statio.
Statio: the ability to do nothing at all.
This is an oft-forgotten little tool that recently came to my attention again after being awakened from a period of dormancy in some dusty back corner of my brain.
(Yes, I must have corners in my brain because in my youth I was often referred to as a block-head.)
Joan Chittister calls statio “the practice of stopping one thing before we start another.”
Statio is a time when we stop what we are doing, even if only for a brief moment or two, and reconnect with God. It's like taking a sip of cool water on a hot day – it's refreshing to the soul.
Chittister adds, “The practice of statio is meant to center us and make us conscious of what we’re about to do and make us present to the God who is present to us. Statio is the desire to do consciously what I might otherwise do mechanically. Statio is the virtue of the Presence.” (Wisdom Distilled from the Daily, Harper, 1991)
Statio can come in many forms, but the idea is to just take a moment or two and reconnect with God. Short prayers, quick walks outside, a brief meditation on a picture; anything that might get you back in tune with your creator and what your purpose in life is. Watch for those openings in your hustle-bustle day where you can put the brakes on, pause for a moment, and remember who and what you really are! Do this as many times as you can during the day.
Know that God loves you and blesses you for being you!
Well, time for a little statio…
Br. Daniel-Joseph, CG
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Venite!
Greetings, Sisters, Brothers, and Friends of the Community!
The snow here has melted a little bit. It is still quite high, though, so we can still only receive air mail…
The psalm assigned for our lesson this past Sunday in Lent was Psalm 95. Many of us know the first part of this psalm as our Venite, the invitation psalm for Morning Prayer. Come!
We are asked to come to God’s presence with a song of Thanksgiving, and to be in a state of joy!
Why do this? It is explained in verses 3-5: For He is a great God, and a King above all gods. Everything that exists belongs to Him.
He is our God and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
All that is, and all that happens in this world belongs to Him. In the long run, He is in control and will eventually make things right according to His plan.
When you encounter a tough situation in this earthly life, as we all do, one of two things will happen. Either you will escape it, or you will not.
Ultimately, however, you will end up all right. And often what we thought of as NOT getting through it OK, actually WAS getting through it OK.
It’s often a matter of perspective and time, and love. It is joy to know that “All will be well.”
Oh, that today you would listen to His voice! (v.7)
Bless you all for who you are and what you do!
Have a great week,
Br. Daniel-Joseph
The snow here has melted a little bit. It is still quite high, though, so we can still only receive air mail…
The psalm assigned for our lesson this past Sunday in Lent was Psalm 95. Many of us know the first part of this psalm as our Venite, the invitation psalm for Morning Prayer. Come!
We are asked to come to God’s presence with a song of Thanksgiving, and to be in a state of joy!
Why do this? It is explained in verses 3-5: For He is a great God, and a King above all gods. Everything that exists belongs to Him.
He is our God and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
All that is, and all that happens in this world belongs to Him. In the long run, He is in control and will eventually make things right according to His plan.
When you encounter a tough situation in this earthly life, as we all do, one of two things will happen. Either you will escape it, or you will not.
Ultimately, however, you will end up all right. And often what we thought of as NOT getting through it OK, actually WAS getting through it OK.
It’s often a matter of perspective and time, and love. It is joy to know that “All will be well.”
Oh, that today you would listen to His voice! (v.7)
Bless you all for who you are and what you do!
Have a great week,
Br. Daniel-Joseph
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
JOY, HAPPINESS AND PEACE
Greetings, Sisters, Brothers, and Friends...
I pray that this note finds you all well and at peace.
I came across some interesting characteristics of joy, happiness and pleasure that I thought I would share with you, and have you think about them this coming week. Perhaps you have some additional thoughts about these that you would like to share as well...
One way to look at these three feelings is to associate each of them with the three aspects of who you are - a mind, a body, and a spirit. Using this set of relationships, one could match up happiness with the mind, pleasure with the body, and joy with the spirit.
It is interesting to note that both happiness and pleasure have latent opposites, but when we are talking about our spirit essence, there isn't any. With happiness comes the potential for sadness, and with pleasure comes the potential for pain. But joy (often mistaken for happiness) is really of the spirit, and there is no opposite. Joy is a state of our permanent being, and not just an emotion.
We can pursue happiness, and we can pursue pleasure, but joy is already with us, within us, and all we have to do is let it out. Happiness and pleasure are fleeting, transient. Joy is a permanent part of us that is fueled by the Spirit of God. It is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
When we catch ourselves wrapped in the issues of the past, or are anxious about the things in the future, we often look for ways to give ourselves pleasure or happiness so that we can "escape." But when we focus on being in the present moment, connected to God and not to the things of the past or the future, the inherent joy of our own souls begins to shine through.
Observe yourself this coming week as you wrestle with your schedules and your issues and problems. See how often your mind drifts to the past needlessly, or speculates about the future aimlessly. Then bring yourself back into the present moment and the joys that can only be found there.
Know that you are loved by Your Father who is at your side. Continue in your prayers, study, service, and practice of the present moment.
Your time-traveling brother,
Br. Daniel-Joseph, CTG
Guardian
I pray that this note finds you all well and at peace.
I came across some interesting characteristics of joy, happiness and pleasure that I thought I would share with you, and have you think about them this coming week. Perhaps you have some additional thoughts about these that you would like to share as well...
One way to look at these three feelings is to associate each of them with the three aspects of who you are - a mind, a body, and a spirit. Using this set of relationships, one could match up happiness with the mind, pleasure with the body, and joy with the spirit.
It is interesting to note that both happiness and pleasure have latent opposites, but when we are talking about our spirit essence, there isn't any. With happiness comes the potential for sadness, and with pleasure comes the potential for pain. But joy (often mistaken for happiness) is really of the spirit, and there is no opposite. Joy is a state of our permanent being, and not just an emotion.
We can pursue happiness, and we can pursue pleasure, but joy is already with us, within us, and all we have to do is let it out. Happiness and pleasure are fleeting, transient. Joy is a permanent part of us that is fueled by the Spirit of God. It is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
When we catch ourselves wrapped in the issues of the past, or are anxious about the things in the future, we often look for ways to give ourselves pleasure or happiness so that we can "escape." But when we focus on being in the present moment, connected to God and not to the things of the past or the future, the inherent joy of our own souls begins to shine through.
Observe yourself this coming week as you wrestle with your schedules and your issues and problems. See how often your mind drifts to the past needlessly, or speculates about the future aimlessly. Then bring yourself back into the present moment and the joys that can only be found there.
Know that you are loved by Your Father who is at your side. Continue in your prayers, study, service, and practice of the present moment.
Your time-traveling brother,
Br. Daniel-Joseph, CTG
Guardian
Monday, February 25, 2008
2-10-08 * SURVIVAL KITS
Greetings, Sisters, Brothers, and Friends of the community!
Certainly a wild week of weather has passed by us. Devastating tornadoes in the mid and southern states; and here in Wisconsin we had about 2,000 drivers trapped in their vehicles near Madison this week when a storm hit there. Apparently two semi-trailer trucks got stuck going up a hill on the expressway, and that ended up blocking traffic for 19 miles. More snow came in, and many of the people were trapped for up to 15 hours. The Governor called out the National Guard to assist.
There is a standard survival package that should be kept in our northern cars during winter for times such as this. Some of the items include:
· A snow shovel – if you can get out of your car to use it
· A gallon of drinking water – if it’s not frozen
· A red flag to tie onto your car antenna – a Wisconsin Badger pennant will do.
· A can of Sterno or a coffee can, candle and matches – this will serve as a make-shift heater (keep your window open a crack)
· Your cell phone – so you can talk with friends while you’re waiting to be rescued
· Magazines or crossword puzzle books to keep your mind off of frost-bitten toes
· Snow shoes – in case you must attempt to walk somewhere, but it is not recommended
· A First Aid kit – but most wounds freeze quickly anyway
· An extra blanket and pillow – in case you finish the magazines or crosswords puzzle books
· A flash light
· And, of course, chocolate and/or beef jerky – to trade with other stranded motorists for blankets or matches
OK, you ask, where am I going with this? Well, it made me think about when we are on our spiritual journey and get stuck. Many times I will be sailing along, and sooner or later I seem to have gotten off track and stuck in a spiritual snow drift. My joy seems to have slipped away, the rhythm of my day is shot, and things are beginning to look a little bleak outside.
Time to grab the spiritual survival kit. Here’s a few items I would suggest to have handy:
· Your prayer book – get right back to a conversation with God through your prayers
· Your cell phone – call a friend and talk about what’s happening
· Your Rule of Life – this is your daily road map; take a look at where you are and where you’re going
· Count your blessings – keep things in perspective; moods and problems come and go; This, too, shall pass.
· Know that you are loved so very dearly by your Lord and Savior!
· Journal – write a little about what’s happening – putting things to words helps to bring a clearer understanding of what’s happening
· Write a letter to someone and thank them for something; bless them for being who they are
· Nature – get out a get under the moon! An oldie oldie song that reminds us to take a walk
· Go to Mass – the place where all our worlds become one in Him
· Chocolate – well, this may not be for you, but it is a personal favorite of mine (in moderation)
What would you add to either list in your case? I’d be curious to know.
Well, the weather is improving – as I write this the temperature has climbed to -10 degrees and the wind chill has improved to -30 degrees. Gosh, I can almost see a crocus popping up!
Love you all,
Br. Daniel-Joseph
Certainly a wild week of weather has passed by us. Devastating tornadoes in the mid and southern states; and here in Wisconsin we had about 2,000 drivers trapped in their vehicles near Madison this week when a storm hit there. Apparently two semi-trailer trucks got stuck going up a hill on the expressway, and that ended up blocking traffic for 19 miles. More snow came in, and many of the people were trapped for up to 15 hours. The Governor called out the National Guard to assist.
There is a standard survival package that should be kept in our northern cars during winter for times such as this. Some of the items include:
· A snow shovel – if you can get out of your car to use it
· A gallon of drinking water – if it’s not frozen
· A red flag to tie onto your car antenna – a Wisconsin Badger pennant will do.
· A can of Sterno or a coffee can, candle and matches – this will serve as a make-shift heater (keep your window open a crack)
· Your cell phone – so you can talk with friends while you’re waiting to be rescued
· Magazines or crossword puzzle books to keep your mind off of frost-bitten toes
· Snow shoes – in case you must attempt to walk somewhere, but it is not recommended
· A First Aid kit – but most wounds freeze quickly anyway
· An extra blanket and pillow – in case you finish the magazines or crosswords puzzle books
· A flash light
· And, of course, chocolate and/or beef jerky – to trade with other stranded motorists for blankets or matches
OK, you ask, where am I going with this? Well, it made me think about when we are on our spiritual journey and get stuck. Many times I will be sailing along, and sooner or later I seem to have gotten off track and stuck in a spiritual snow drift. My joy seems to have slipped away, the rhythm of my day is shot, and things are beginning to look a little bleak outside.
Time to grab the spiritual survival kit. Here’s a few items I would suggest to have handy:
· Your prayer book – get right back to a conversation with God through your prayers
· Your cell phone – call a friend and talk about what’s happening
· Your Rule of Life – this is your daily road map; take a look at where you are and where you’re going
· Count your blessings – keep things in perspective; moods and problems come and go; This, too, shall pass.
· Know that you are loved so very dearly by your Lord and Savior!
· Journal – write a little about what’s happening – putting things to words helps to bring a clearer understanding of what’s happening
· Write a letter to someone and thank them for something; bless them for being who they are
· Nature – get out a get under the moon! An oldie oldie song that reminds us to take a walk
· Go to Mass – the place where all our worlds become one in Him
· Chocolate – well, this may not be for you, but it is a personal favorite of mine (in moderation)
What would you add to either list in your case? I’d be curious to know.
Well, the weather is improving – as I write this the temperature has climbed to -10 degrees and the wind chill has improved to -30 degrees. Gosh, I can almost see a crocus popping up!
Love you all,
Br. Daniel-Joseph
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