3rd response to 3 of 4

Group #14 responded:

All of our predecessors have had to grapple with holy creative tension, such as that expressed in the Flaming Arrow. What is it in your life?

Tension is working in the world and the effects of the world (TV, movies) vs. call to contemplation. Takes me away from focus on the spiritual life.
Obvious as OCDS, trying to balance lives in this world, illness, family, etc. trying to live contemplative life with these other factors. The sense of charity is the primary contemplative action. Also we’re called to self-forgetfulness – what the Lord is calling us to in the present moment.
Isn’t this escapism?
No – telephone may ring during private prayer.
Also when someone is not well in your household. I am the breadwinner, caring care of ill husband, OCDS aspirant – forced to take time for myself.
Can you find silence if you’re in the mall? As silence governed by the cell or can you find it outside? I think so.
I think you can pray anywhere.
We should be a “living prayer” This is being connected within yourself and pray for others.
Know a lady who prays through the obituaries.
Praying Morning Prayers is being “living prayer” [in that it’s a daily self-offering] I wore the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in mall the other day and Hispanic woman noticed it. I gave it to her. Forgetfulness.
Distractions – a blessing or curse
I offer them to God – he changed water into wine – he can change distractions into prayer.
It’s the purity of prayer involved in offering all to God.
In community there can be tension if there are “Peters and Pauls” or if there is favorites. Sometimes one must be a peacemaker within a community.

How to be peacemaker: be respectful to all, listen well.

As president in a council meeting, I had been very uncharitable, so I apologized- truth, honesty, forgiveness (seven times seven) is what’s needed.
I sought a Carmelite group for five years, then found a group of only two.
It’s good to not have complete agreement – diversity is good.
[citing St John’s Precautions] don’t worry about dissention – go to the one in authority if need be.
Tension between prayer and apostolate – it should be natural outpouring of prayer.