Every Carmelite, in living their vocation encounters tension between what is and what might be. …as secular Carmelites are you able to live with that tension?
Can the fact of your living with it transfigure the world? How?
Group #24 responded:
The fact that we are in the world, as God fills our being, is such that what we do lets other people see who God is in our everyday life as long as we let Him work through us. That is so in making breakfast or in working with someone who is having trouble breathing as a respiratory therapist.
In day to day life there is always a tension between wanting ideally to let God work through us and having to strive for that in dealing with other people, and working together with other people, who do not share those values, may even be antagonistic towards Christians, and may not want the same things. Sometimes finding the right balance between the ideal of loving another person and at the same time wanting to be zealous for a client or produce the ideal quality in work, sometime require moment by moment decisions. The right thing to do may only be apparent after the time has passed.
St Therese – allowing the day to bring what it brought. At some point you make a decision, with the best of intentions, and the result may not square with what we think life ought to be, but this has to be left to God.
The Lord makes straight with crooked ways. God’s love flows even if you don’t do things correctly.
Sometimes you just have to let it be and let God decide.
The tension of time is the nature of our life. Those book-ends of time are needed to let God’s Spirit guide us in doing or not doing something. That can transfigure the world. There is a beauty in different things occurring at the same time when in the midst of all that, the Holy Spirit is taking control.
Internally, it is possible to be somewhat at peace amid constant interruptions by phone calls, emails, and people at the door. There is a certain pruning that God is asking in putting us in this tension which is beautiful.
That tension is an awareness of who we want to be, who we are and the wish to let God work in us.
Sometimes you have to stick with tension, and sometimes let it go.
We are in good company, considering that St Paul wrote about this. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Knowing that one is not meeting all the things the order is calling us to (prayer times etc) is transfiguring what we are doing in the world can be a mustard seed. We are building up an artillery warehouse for future spiritual battle in the prayers that we do now. The tension is an offering that we can give toward that spiritual warfare.
Allowing our selves to be transformed is part of what we contribute to transfiguration of the world.
Sometimes instead of being open and listening, we may have a specific thing we want a child to do but the other child wants to do it. In the same way, we sometimes may have something that we want to do for God that He wants someone else to do. Instead, we need to listen to what God wants from us – doing our own work and not doing someone else’s. Sometimes we are doing other people’s work and not doing our own.
Sometimes when one of us needs to do something that she does not want to do, God turns it around. His love and ideas are so much great. “Suit up and show up and then shut up.” No matter how much one does not want to do something, it is important to do what we are called to do and let God work in it.
You have to speak the word so that it can go into our hearts and transform us. When we offer our speaking God’s word, for the transformation of the world, it can change and transfigure.
Life has to be handled in a Carmelite spirit, letting that wisdom and simplicity shine through us in handling the difficulties of life.
We are in the process of becoming who God wants. It is the way it is going to be at this moment. God is not fast. He is love.
Sometimes you have to step back. If something is meant to be, someone will, step forward and do it. God’s work will get done. We need to sometimes get out of the way.
Mother Teresa was a tiny person. God takes those who are the most incapable so that it shows that He is doing the work.
St Therese of Lisieux wrote about accepting who we are with all of our inadequacies and temptations, and accepting that the person God made us to be and wants us to be. It is important to accept God working through those limitations in who He chose for us to be. We are all the people who are incapable, and God uses that to show that He is doing through each of us what He wants to do through us.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
4th response to 4 of 4
Every Carmelite, in living their vocation encounters tension between what is and what might be. …as secular Carmelites are you able to live with that tension?
Can the fact of your living with it transfigure the world? How?
Group #12 responded:
Stand up and be counted against issues that are against our Church/Christ’s example. Make yourself known as a Carmelite.
Make yourself open and available to the needs of others.
Spiritual warfare beginning within ourselves through prayer, Eucharist – be holy.
Tensions in the work place met with peace and humility, sharing where this comes from and this transforms the world.
Improve self by helping those in need and listening to that call.
My love for Christ and each other we can make a difference in the world (for the glory of God).
Learning that with God all things are possible, through Carmel we learn to step out and trust.
That if we trust our Lord and learn to give the blessings abound, through our knowledge of St Teresa and St John, peace can come out.
By following St Teresa and St John we can overcome the tensions that come into our daily lives. By that example we transfigure the world.
Can the fact of your living with it transfigure the world? How?
Group #12 responded:
Stand up and be counted against issues that are against our Church/Christ’s example. Make yourself known as a Carmelite.
Make yourself open and available to the needs of others.
Spiritual warfare beginning within ourselves through prayer, Eucharist – be holy.
Tensions in the work place met with peace and humility, sharing where this comes from and this transforms the world.
Improve self by helping those in need and listening to that call.
My love for Christ and each other we can make a difference in the world (for the glory of God).
Learning that with God all things are possible, through Carmel we learn to step out and trust.
That if we trust our Lord and learn to give the blessings abound, through our knowledge of St Teresa and St John, peace can come out.
By following St Teresa and St John we can overcome the tensions that come into our daily lives. By that example we transfigure the world.
3rd response to 4 of 4
Every Carmelite, in living their vocation encounters tension between what is and what might be. …as secular Carmelites are you able to live with that tension?
Can the fact of your living with it transfigure the world? How?
Group #8 responded:
As seculars, we must do good works, not just pray. We must learn and follow directions in our Constitutions. Each part of Carmel must support the others. We need to have holy flexibility; follow the Holy Spirit.
2nd response to 4 of 4
Every Carmelite, in living their vocation encounters tension between what is and what might be. …as secular Carmelites are you able to live with that tension?
Can the fact of your living with it transfigure the world? How?
Group #4 responded:
Tension – not always able to carry out our Carmelite duties – daily Mass – Liturgy of the Hours – prayers – do what we can.
Perfection is loving – not perfect
Attributes of Christ
Ask for grace
God is in charge
St Teresa and St John of the Cross
Prayer chair in parish
Material struggle
Tension – good and bad
Allegiance to Christ
Strive for holiness
“Let nothing disturb you” St Teresa of Avila
Burn out – balance
Good example
Patience
Say “no”
Tension in Carmelite communities
Judgmental
Address – outside of community
Thank God
POSITIVE attitude – happy
Chastity – modesty in dress
Can the fact of your living with it transfigure the world? How?
Group #4 responded:
Tension – not always able to carry out our Carmelite duties – daily Mass – Liturgy of the Hours – prayers – do what we can.
Perfection is loving – not perfect
Attributes of Christ
Ask for grace
God is in charge
St Teresa and St John of the Cross
Prayer chair in parish
Material struggle
Tension – good and bad
Allegiance to Christ
Strive for holiness
“Let nothing disturb you” St Teresa of Avila
Burn out – balance
Good example
Patience
Say “no”
Tension in Carmelite communities
Judgmental
Address – outside of community
Thank God
POSITIVE attitude – happy
Chastity – modesty in dress
1st response to 4 of 4
Every Carmelite, in living their vocation encounters tension between what is and what might be. …as secular Carmelites are you able to live with that tension?
Can the fact of your living with it transfigure the world? How?
Group #3 responded:
Remarks: Consecrated life – John Paul II
Tension: What is it?
Liz- liturgy coordinator; constantly ascertain how God is leading to bring people into allegiance to Jesus. 11 masses – why there – wake up people – something more than what they have.
Fact: Living as a member of a religious order in a very secular world. How deals with ads on TV
Ana: secular – not perfect world – good Catholic but does not realize value of spiritual world. Example: group – forward to discuss? Daily mass – Eucharistic minister- sick
Lector – determine if I am to do more – Live with ourselves in peace.
Overwhelming – what can I do? Like Amish – separate self from world – Jesus said to go into the world. Work with person one at a time. Example speaks to others.
Living
Holy ones – giving communion
– people talk badly or criticize – doing too much to be holy
Respect our Lord at consecration – don’t be taking photographs
Able to live with it? Yes and no! How to handle it?
Ed – transfigure world? Yes it does – one person at a time. St Therese in the monastery – smile; nothing bothering her. Why is she always happy? Joy in you – why?
Work in country club as bus boy – worked with pierced tongue – co-worker – a Jewish man. If you were son of God, wouldn’t you sit at the right hand of the Father –
Chronicle – co-worker Jacobson – talked and told him son of Jacob, Grandfather never took him to temple. Race is blessed and chosen people – real understanding.
Saying: where evil abounds, grace abounds even greater-
Transforming with joy – three things that evil/ death – kill, destroy, steal
Don’t let him steal our joy!
Prayer – Name of Jesus
Nancy – a lot of tension – work in elementary with children who have a lot of problems, exhausted.
Don’t feel have a charism – don’t know where I am going. Pray Jesus will be in me. His eyes, mouth, ears… be a good example – people are not pleasant – it is a constant struggle.
Reading – ecstatic – Charity covers all sin – now I will be able to cove sin with charitable works.
Family, children and grandchildren ask God for his grace.
Only healing thing is love – it is the only thing that lasts. Things done with love will go on forever. God’s love will change the world.
Is love a pure love? Ulterior motives? Ask God’s help. Morning offering – all given to God.
Liz – transfigure the world? How? Consumer oriented. If we stop buying, world will come to a standstill.
Poverty, Chastity, Obedience:
Rose you can handle it – gone one week did not show up. God sent him to me to pray for that person – and sends others – now best of friends.
Nancy – more tension forces me into greater prayer. Get down on your knees.
No quick fix – [St Therese] cloistered nuns know everything going on in the world.
Re-prioritize
Simplify
We do not always see success.
Deal with family and people we work with.
Turn off the TV – watch EWTN (some areas do not carry it)
Media – no moral values
Stop shopping
Liz – we need to pray and pray more – what type of prayer? Intercessory prayer – lowest form – nothing accidental – God knows everything – priest scandal – something good will come out of it.
Oh God, my friend is really ill, he is in a lot of pain, I just wanted you to know.
Sometimes the answer is no
We can’t tell God what to do. We want to be united with Him.
Husband diagnosed 2 years ago with cancer – getting anxious.
Let me get on with my life – care giver is my life. Sit with him, hold hands, what I need to do today.
Elephant – rat get out of the river – gets out. Ok – why? I wanted to see if you were wearing my swimming trunks – God bigger than any idea we have of him.
Starving in Africa
Rose – Thailand – only 1 meal
Section I- question
Secular Order is growing faster than the rest of the order – not enough Friars as spiritual assistants.
Solution: start a credential program for seculars to prepare and certify them as Spiritual Assistants.
Can the fact of your living with it transfigure the world? How?
Group #3 responded:
Remarks: Consecrated life – John Paul II
Tension: What is it?
Liz- liturgy coordinator; constantly ascertain how God is leading to bring people into allegiance to Jesus. 11 masses – why there – wake up people – something more than what they have.
Fact: Living as a member of a religious order in a very secular world. How deals with ads on TV
Ana: secular – not perfect world – good Catholic but does not realize value of spiritual world. Example: group – forward to discuss? Daily mass – Eucharistic minister- sick
Lector – determine if I am to do more – Live with ourselves in peace.
Overwhelming – what can I do? Like Amish – separate self from world – Jesus said to go into the world. Work with person one at a time. Example speaks to others.
Living
Holy ones – giving communion
– people talk badly or criticize – doing too much to be holy
Respect our Lord at consecration – don’t be taking photographs
Able to live with it? Yes and no! How to handle it?
Ed – transfigure world? Yes it does – one person at a time. St Therese in the monastery – smile; nothing bothering her. Why is she always happy? Joy in you – why?
Work in country club as bus boy – worked with pierced tongue – co-worker – a Jewish man. If you were son of God, wouldn’t you sit at the right hand of the Father –
Chronicle – co-worker Jacobson – talked and told him son of Jacob, Grandfather never took him to temple. Race is blessed and chosen people – real understanding.
Saying: where evil abounds, grace abounds even greater-
Transforming with joy – three things that evil/ death – kill, destroy, steal
Don’t let him steal our joy!
Prayer – Name of Jesus
Nancy – a lot of tension – work in elementary with children who have a lot of problems, exhausted.
Don’t feel have a charism – don’t know where I am going. Pray Jesus will be in me. His eyes, mouth, ears… be a good example – people are not pleasant – it is a constant struggle.
Reading – ecstatic – Charity covers all sin – now I will be able to cove sin with charitable works.
Family, children and grandchildren ask God for his grace.
Only healing thing is love – it is the only thing that lasts. Things done with love will go on forever. God’s love will change the world.
Is love a pure love? Ulterior motives? Ask God’s help. Morning offering – all given to God.
Liz – transfigure the world? How? Consumer oriented. If we stop buying, world will come to a standstill.
Poverty, Chastity, Obedience:
Rose you can handle it – gone one week did not show up. God sent him to me to pray for that person – and sends others – now best of friends.
Nancy – more tension forces me into greater prayer. Get down on your knees.
No quick fix – [St Therese] cloistered nuns know everything going on in the world.
Re-prioritize
Simplify
We do not always see success.
Deal with family and people we work with.
Turn off the TV – watch EWTN (some areas do not carry it)
Media – no moral values
Stop shopping
Liz – we need to pray and pray more – what type of prayer? Intercessory prayer – lowest form – nothing accidental – God knows everything – priest scandal – something good will come out of it.
Oh God, my friend is really ill, he is in a lot of pain, I just wanted you to know.
Sometimes the answer is no
We can’t tell God what to do. We want to be united with Him.
Husband diagnosed 2 years ago with cancer – getting anxious.
Let me get on with my life – care giver is my life. Sit with him, hold hands, what I need to do today.
Elephant – rat get out of the river – gets out. Ok – why? I wanted to see if you were wearing my swimming trunks – God bigger than any idea we have of him.
Starving in Africa
Rose – Thailand – only 1 meal
Section I- question
Secular Order is growing faster than the rest of the order – not enough Friars as spiritual assistants.
Solution: start a credential program for seculars to prepare and certify them as Spiritual Assistants.
14th response to 3 of 4
Everything that happens in our life is an opportunity for an encounter with God. How do we respond? Do we try to tend towards union with Him?
Group #25 responded:
Need to let people know that these kinds of tension, no matter what they are, to show members positive and creative way to Christ. All different actions, encounter with Christ and let them see how virtue plays roll.
Everything opportunity to unite with God (dealing with other people, etc).
Try to Jesus in everybody – all made in likeness of God.
How do we transform? Teach Lectio – meditation.
Live duality – getting together soft- when walk out door is problem – encounter with God everywhere; not compartmentalized.
Seeing Jesus in person – see that person in Jesus (shift) need to find it.
One of things that helps solve tension is holy hour everyday- tension disappears. If people can see results in life, they will know. Sermon in itself.
Focus on answer instead of problem.
Exposition – time just goes – day goes better – more energy and patience.
If have Christ in you, so peaceful because know have helper.
Br. Lawrence – Practice the Presence of God – found Our Lord at all times – more he knew, simpler he got.
Dream about in sleep – prayers.
Go back to 1st question – secular order growing much faster – different pathways to holiness for laity.
So much negative going on, seculars powerhouse in world.
Grown so much – need formators at all levels – need to be well formed and willing to serve.
Inner desire of people hungry for God. Who will find Carmel because of spirituality and need to be well formed enough to instruct.
Where would we be without nuns or friars? It is essential to have friars and wish had more input of nuns.
Vatican II all about don’t inhibit laity – make them a bigger part and delegate. As Carmelite seculars offer unique opportunities to access public. Friars addressing people who come to well. Seculars in world and offer paved road to well. Community deeper spiritual life – reasons people come. Give Gospel message in world. Let tension begin.
Had guru for 10 years – mysticism
John Paul II – where Eastern spirituality stops, Carmelite spirituality begins.
Plant seeds with individuals – won’t know where going. They seek more and more.
Carmel was by invitation from God (opportunity) and rest is discernment. Safe harbor -Is God’s (not mine).
True for all of us in different ways. Many people don’t even know what Carmelites are or that they exist.
God uses us.
Priest asked “what are Carmelites?”
As Catholics, don’t show faith. Ask people to attend Catholic church. Afraid of crossing boundaries.
People lead very immoral lives. Corporate America. Icons on desk. Anything to invite conversation.
Life is witness.
Likes being a Carmelite. Good life.
OCDS feels like coming home.
Holy Spirit at work.
Group #25 responded:
Need to let people know that these kinds of tension, no matter what they are, to show members positive and creative way to Christ. All different actions, encounter with Christ and let them see how virtue plays roll.
Everything opportunity to unite with God (dealing with other people, etc).
Try to Jesus in everybody – all made in likeness of God.
How do we transform? Teach Lectio – meditation.
Live duality – getting together soft- when walk out door is problem – encounter with God everywhere; not compartmentalized.
Seeing Jesus in person – see that person in Jesus (shift) need to find it.
One of things that helps solve tension is holy hour everyday- tension disappears. If people can see results in life, they will know. Sermon in itself.
Focus on answer instead of problem.
Exposition – time just goes – day goes better – more energy and patience.
If have Christ in you, so peaceful because know have helper.
Br. Lawrence – Practice the Presence of God – found Our Lord at all times – more he knew, simpler he got.
Dream about in sleep – prayers.
Go back to 1st question – secular order growing much faster – different pathways to holiness for laity.
So much negative going on, seculars powerhouse in world.
Grown so much – need formators at all levels – need to be well formed and willing to serve.
Inner desire of people hungry for God. Who will find Carmel because of spirituality and need to be well formed enough to instruct.
Where would we be without nuns or friars? It is essential to have friars and wish had more input of nuns.
Vatican II all about don’t inhibit laity – make them a bigger part and delegate. As Carmelite seculars offer unique opportunities to access public. Friars addressing people who come to well. Seculars in world and offer paved road to well. Community deeper spiritual life – reasons people come. Give Gospel message in world. Let tension begin.
Had guru for 10 years – mysticism
John Paul II – where Eastern spirituality stops, Carmelite spirituality begins.
Plant seeds with individuals – won’t know where going. They seek more and more.
Carmel was by invitation from God (opportunity) and rest is discernment. Safe harbor -Is God’s (not mine).
True for all of us in different ways. Many people don’t even know what Carmelites are or that they exist.
God uses us.
Priest asked “what are Carmelites?”
As Catholics, don’t show faith. Ask people to attend Catholic church. Afraid of crossing boundaries.
People lead very immoral lives. Corporate America. Icons on desk. Anything to invite conversation.
Life is witness.
Likes being a Carmelite. Good life.
OCDS feels like coming home.
Holy Spirit at work.
13th response to 3 of 4
Everything that happens in our life is an opportunity for an encounter with God. How do we respond? Do we try to tend towards union with Him?
Group #23 responded:
Be aware of being silent in busy, noisy world. Get away – take a break – make appointment of time to be silent and in prayer.
Life of love, prayer and service. God will give grace to live Carmelite life.
Promise to God – stay aware of promise made to God, mass, adoration.
Responsibility to bring truth to family – pray for them always.
Be aware of quiet space always. Able to go to meet God even in midst of busy life.
How for us to me Martha and Mary – “give me heart of Mary and hands of Martha” – a prayer said each morning. Acknowledgement
Easier to do devotions (prayers) than bringing apostolate to world – service to nursing home. Pray for family who has own lives – apostolate through church service.
Family very positive influence. Worn scapular since age six. Active in church, visiting nursing home and bring Eucharist – lector, bringing Word and go to charismatic prayer group.
Teach family by example can’t talk to family – lector
Work at hospital for service and rectory, health reasons can’t go to Mass, do hours as a couple.
Work full time in 2 different locations – balance prayer – drive to work, morning prayer at work, meditate hours on weekend, Eucharistic minister, sacristan, usher.
For families set example, words turn to conflict.
Work at church, do everything there at work can’t go to daily mass, do morning and evening prayers, do books for hubby’s business.
Continuing formation. God sees effort – fidelity and faithful - give God what you have. Reading breviary, read lectionary, prayer booklets.
We respond to God by listening to Him and try not to control.
Even in difficulties pray to respond in way – wait with patience
Pray to the Holy Spirit for understanding, listen to Sacred Heart radio to things pleasing to God through the Holy Spirit – wait for God to respond.
As cradle Catholic adhere to Jesus, Mary, etc. – brother converted to Born Again Christians – family feel hurt – pray to God for family, brother and struggle with.
Reverence the readiness of people to accept the truth. People get hungry for whole. Plant seeds. Let God’s word come back in God’s time.
Union with God through mass and adoration.
Parents prayer to holy angels for grown children.
Thank God for what happens. Give pain to God – offer it up for God’s purposes. “God you take over”
All prodigals in some way. See God in present moment.
Hard to control impatience. Can’t control all things in life. “Do best you can” Develop deep gratitude to God for blessings when things are going wrong. Dwell on gratitude. Love, trust, surrender.
Aware of wonders of God, don’t whine because of mental, physical, spiritual pains, give it to God.
Think of everything we have as gift or can never see any relief from pain.
Ask “what am I to learn from this tough situation?”
See humor.
Become prayer warriors, person of prayer at the service of the church.
Group #23 responded:
Be aware of being silent in busy, noisy world. Get away – take a break – make appointment of time to be silent and in prayer.
Life of love, prayer and service. God will give grace to live Carmelite life.
Promise to God – stay aware of promise made to God, mass, adoration.
Responsibility to bring truth to family – pray for them always.
Be aware of quiet space always. Able to go to meet God even in midst of busy life.
How for us to me Martha and Mary – “give me heart of Mary and hands of Martha” – a prayer said each morning. Acknowledgement
Easier to do devotions (prayers) than bringing apostolate to world – service to nursing home. Pray for family who has own lives – apostolate through church service.
Family very positive influence. Worn scapular since age six. Active in church, visiting nursing home and bring Eucharist – lector, bringing Word and go to charismatic prayer group.
Teach family by example can’t talk to family – lector
Work at hospital for service and rectory, health reasons can’t go to Mass, do hours as a couple.
Work full time in 2 different locations – balance prayer – drive to work, morning prayer at work, meditate hours on weekend, Eucharistic minister, sacristan, usher.
For families set example, words turn to conflict.
Work at church, do everything there at work can’t go to daily mass, do morning and evening prayers, do books for hubby’s business.
Continuing formation. God sees effort – fidelity and faithful - give God what you have. Reading breviary, read lectionary, prayer booklets.
We respond to God by listening to Him and try not to control.
Even in difficulties pray to respond in way – wait with patience
Pray to the Holy Spirit for understanding, listen to Sacred Heart radio to things pleasing to God through the Holy Spirit – wait for God to respond.
As cradle Catholic adhere to Jesus, Mary, etc. – brother converted to Born Again Christians – family feel hurt – pray to God for family, brother and struggle with.
Reverence the readiness of people to accept the truth. People get hungry for whole. Plant seeds. Let God’s word come back in God’s time.
Union with God through mass and adoration.
Parents prayer to holy angels for grown children.
Thank God for what happens. Give pain to God – offer it up for God’s purposes. “God you take over”
All prodigals in some way. See God in present moment.
Hard to control impatience. Can’t control all things in life. “Do best you can” Develop deep gratitude to God for blessings when things are going wrong. Dwell on gratitude. Love, trust, surrender.
Aware of wonders of God, don’t whine because of mental, physical, spiritual pains, give it to God.
Think of everything we have as gift or can never see any relief from pain.
Ask “what am I to learn from this tough situation?”
See humor.
Become prayer warriors, person of prayer at the service of the church.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)