Outside, Inside the Box Thinking

"In God’s Womb: A Journey with yourself and God."

 When I first read Edwina Gately’s words on the flyer advertising her day of retreat, I was somewhat overwhelmed.  To be a co-creator of God!  A tall order, or as Edwina writes ‘an enormous task.’ However, I wanted to learn more about co-creating with God. I mean, really, God needs me to help God create?

From the time Edwina was introduced that Saturday morning at Kings College, I knew I was in for a treat. It immediately was evident that this wise woman, whom some call a mystic, and who has travelled the world, has vast experience.

Her unique manner of presentation, and her wonderful sense of humour were evident from the moment she began our day together. We all instantly knew it would be a day of great soul food which would also challenge our minds. She was definitely going to invite us to think outside the box. When she invited us “to look at all that has gone before us, and to recognize that each one of us, however small, has a unique task in co-creation” my heart nearly skipped a beat. So what is this task of each one of us? 

As I continue to reflect, Edwina’s latest book of poetry Soul Whispers inspires me to continue to look outside the box, deep within myself. Just as the healthy food inside our lunch box sustained me that day, Edwina’s image of my life’s journey inside God’s womb, is in the forefront of my mind, and tucked into my heart. Her question ‘who is God for you’ still resonates within. Instantly I recall the image of God I used to have. In my younger years God and happiness were never synonymous. God was a stern judge … ’do as you’re told, be obedient’ are words that used to echo through my soul. Thankfully I no longer have this image. 

Edwina’s suggestion to see God as a great seducer, ever inviting me deeper into a journey of intimacy, has stayed with me. Along with caterpillars, the sod, the animals, the birds, every man and woman I am part of an interconnected interrelated cosmos. In God’s womb we are one. As a co-creator, God has mandated me, all of us, to care not only for the dear neighbour, but for our common home, mother earth. In light of the recently published encyclical Laudato Si by Pope Francis, I renew my personal commitment to be a loyal faithful co-creator of God’s wonderful earth.

Loretta Hagen, csj

Personal Resurrections and Empty Tombs

On occasion, my friends have commented that my mind sometimes has a way of seeing things with a unique twist. The subject of this blog might be a case in point. Thinking ahead on the Resurrection and the empty tomb, this thought came to me.

Perhaps the empty tomb is an apt symbol for that inner space within oneself which holds the memory of hurts now healed. There’s no denying the reality of painful experiences. In truth, the journey to healing is one’s own resurrection experience. Through healing, the painful memories are quieted but not forgotten. We are set free from their hold on us. We find ourselves more alive. Such is the Good News we can celebrate this Easter.

Nancy Wales CSJ

From Lent to Easter and Winter to Spring: The Journey of Hope and Promise

We are journeying through the Easter Triduum. We are looking forward to Easter and spring with all the hope that accompanies the liturgical season and the natural season – both times during which we celebrate resurrection and new life. The Paschal Mystery celebrated in our churches and reflected so clearly in the “nature of things” – of all created life, reminds us of continuity and wholeness:  cross AND resurrection, winter AND spring.

This Lent I have been reflecting on (and trying to practice) some ways in which our traditional Lenten practices have been “greened” in churches.  Four years ago, for example, parts of the Anglican Church proposed that rather than fasting from usual things like chocolate or other favourite food items, members consider participating in a carbon fast. Examples included carpooling or taking public transport or being more careful with the use of electricity, shopping for local produce and resisting items from far away requiring long-distance transportation to our supermarkets. All of these practices were recommended in light of the urgent call to Christians to respond to the devastating consequences of climate change.

The following Lent, the Roman Catholic bishops of England and Wales recommended a return to Friday fast and abstinence. This was not solely about the externals of a former “Catholic identity” but was closely linked to current environmental considerations. In particular, the conference of bishops suggested that abstinence from meat at least one day each week during Lent as well as being a “spiritual discipline” reminds us that the over-consumption, especially in wealthier countries, of red meat leads to environmentally problematic farming practices and a reduction in grain so necessary to feed the hungry worldwide. 

What was of special interest in the Catholic bishops’ recommendations was the proposal that the practice of Friday fast and abstinence be continued beyond Lent. The Lenten practices were about forming new habits spiritually, or conversion, that could be linked closely to ongoing contributions to wellbeing in the world. So rather than putting a “damper” on our Easter celebrations perhaps some reflection on traditional Lenten practices might lead us to a “green conversion” that will truly allow us and the world to rejoice in new life. What if my prayer became a contemplative prayer of thanksgiving and rejoicing in the gift creation? What if my lifestyle were such that my “fasting” from some things becomes “almsgiving” for the wellbeing of the environment and my poorer neighbours? This truly would be a celebration of resurrection:  Lent into Easter, winter into spring, love for life!

Mary Rowell, CSJ

Here we are, moving through the last week of Lent. How the time has flown!

We realize that Lent is a special time to reflect. I hope you managed to build into your day some quiet space to just “be” and listen to your deep self and to your God. The readings from the Christian scriptures, up until now, would lead us to see that these four weeks have been all about us – God inviting us to a change of heart, mind, and soul. Four weeks ago, we were invited to fast, pray, give alms and learn to empty ourselves of some gratifications, some excesses, so as to have more space for new life.

This fifth week and into Easter is all about Jesus and His faith-filled response to Abba, Father.

I am struck by the steadiness and stability of Jesus’ focus as He moves toward Calvary. In my quiet time one morning recently, I learned some helpful lessons from nature. As I looked out our large window onto the river nearby, I thought about the stability of nature. The sun comes up always, the moon and stars appear at regular times, the trees and bushes can be counted on to be in their places. These are symbols of our God who can be counted on, no matter what. God’s power is the power of love.

As Jesus climbs the hill of Calvary and sees the cross, we too can sense the power of this coming week as we live it with Him. We ask, like the kids on a family trip, “Are we there yet?”  No, we are not, because the graces of this week are a work in progress. Our vulnerability is caught up in Jesus’, but we know we are the Beloved of God, cherished far beyond our understanding. And so I pray the Way of the Cross, asking for the grace to appreciate more deeply the surrender of Jesus to His mission on behalf of me.

Elizabeth Berrigan, CSJ

The Place Where We Find Courage

As we journey through the mysteries of Holy Week, ritualizing the greatest model of service in the washing of feet, journeying with the Suffering Servant in his steps to Golgotha, waiting in the middle time until the new fire is lit and the Gloria peals out and the Eucharist gathers us once more around the festive table. That indeed is our liturgical ebb and flow of time. And our hearts, where might they be?

Perhaps we find ourselves aching over the horrors of the world situation, where brutality is as real as the crucifixion of Jesus. Perhaps we are holding in our hearts the care of the refugee whose journey has been a trek through desert land, hilly crag, and flooded plain, whose feet are bruised and aching with the struggle to arrive in a place of freedom. Perhaps we are empty in the face of absence of loved ones, stunned by the lure of radicalization of our youth. Perhaps our hearts are heavy with the strain of all that haunts our hope for world peace.

And then the new fire is lit and the Gloria peals out and the Eucharist is broken and shared. Small fragments – fruit of the earth, genteel sips of the fruit of the vine. We taste and hold dearly in our hearts the mystery of Presence, of Divine Goodness, of Hope for the future, where death and pain no longer hold court. This is what sustains us – that death is no more; that Christ-life is vibrant in the community assembled; that the reign of God enables us all to live as sisters and brothers.

It is difficult to hold out that hope in the midst of our fragile world, yet we sing “When our hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain, Your touch can call us back to life again, Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been; Love is come again like wheat arising green.” (CBW 403) This beautiful Easter text captures the middle time of buried seed in the dark earth groaning to sprout its new life. The text then leaps in verse 3 to the brilliance of the Easter Rising. The hymn weds a traditional Christmas tune, Noel Nouvelet, with this poignant Easter text, proclaiming in melody, the passionate in-breaking of God into our earthly reality, and in text, the passionate love of Christ drawing us into the heart of God. In this single hymn Christmas and Easter are united and together call us deeper into the mystery of God’s reconciling love!

This is where we find the courage to live through these times. We have not been left alone adrift on this ever evolving planet Earth. The Christ, Love made visible draws us into the heart of God, teaching us to be about creating Easter, about living fully God’s mercy, compassion and inclusive love.  It is a tall order, but it is the covenant that God makes with us and us with God. In the midst of turmoil and chaos, we are called to stand open to the next possibility that unfolds the revelation of the Risen Christ to the world.

May this Eastertide provide graced awareness to each of you – an awareness that urges us to hold strong the promise that “All shall be one.”

Loretta Manzara, CSJ