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Death of Fr. Thomas Keating~

10/26/2018

Father Thomas Keating died last night. He was 91, suffering from cancer. As we might say, “It was his time,” but nevertheless I am sad because his kind, animated, sparkling visage is no more. Through many audiovisual recordings of conversations, workshops and speeches Fr. Keating nourished my faith and deepened my spiritual practice. Yes, I will continue to watch on YouTube and be refreshed, but I will miss knowing that his earthly light is shining no more.
We mortals can’t imagine the bliss and peace that now surrounds Fr. Keating, but we have to believe it from our worldly vantage point. Christians embrace the message of hope, which Fr. Keating offered in tangible ways through Centering Prayer and his commitment in bringing the contemplative dimension of the Gospel to the public by co-founding Contemplative Outreach. He lives on through us whenever we pray and sparkle God’s love.

Fr. Keating's death has not been announced on the Contemplative Outreach website yet. I received notice of it because I subscribe to its daily posts. Keep checking.

www.contemplativeoutreach.org

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God waiting in the wings~

10/22/2018

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Just to keep you up to date, I continue to attend my private Bible study. It’s easy because I can show up anytime I want to. It’s difficult because the only human being I’m accountable to is me, which can be a challenge because I know me, and how I can slough off at times.
The way I’ve set up this Bible study up, however, means that I am accountable to God, and God’s very nature leaves the choice to attend up to me. God waits in the wings for me to show up; God can wait forever; God never gives up.
So watch out, pay attention. Once you notice God in waiting in the wings, God will never leave your sight; the choice will be up to you.

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My own Bible study

10/16/2018

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     Although I’m aware of the many benefits to joining a Bible study, I’ve decided to create my own private one. At the moment I don’t want another defined commitment on my calendar, nor do I want to go out to a meeting in the evening. The opinions and musing of others, therefore, will have to come from what I read. Plus, I want to get started now. In fact, I’ve already begun.
    I’m studying the Gospel of John. The text is The New Interpreter’s Bible, Each gospel section is divide into three parts: Scripture, Reflection, and Commentary. I started with Chapter 20, because I was drawn to Mary’s encounter with Jesus at the empty tomb. I’m planning to continue through the chapter to the end of the book and then start at the beginning: In the beginning was the word….
     I want to keep this study going at a steady pace, pondering and praying the entire way. I mention this because I have a tendency to rush and decide I’ve had enough before coming to the end. We shall see.

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Power of love~

10/11/2018

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Richard Rohr offers the words of The Cloud of Unknowing in his meditation today.cac.org/sign-up/

     Look. Every rational creature, every person, and every angel has two main strengths: the power to know and the power to love. God made both of these, but [God is] not knowable through the first one. To the power of love, however, [God] is entirely known, because a loving soul is open to receive God’s abundance. . . . [God’s] very nature makes love endless and miraculous. God will never stop loving us. Consider this truth, and, if by grace you can make love your own, do. For the experience is eternal joy; its absence is unending suffering.

     I long always to say ‘Yes’ to this message of love but I fail whenever I feel justified in placing restrictions on that love. “I will love everyone except ______, because, after all, I know he/she is really bad.”
    And yet I know better. Jesus’ message is to love unconditionally. The Gospels are replete with him telling us to love everyone, even our enemies. Hard to do, and yet the message that God shows no partiality, shows me how radical God is requiring me to be. Jesus definitely turns the world upside down with this one. Unless I return to the love idea I tell myself, I can’t do it. But, wait, I can do it, one moment, one situation,, one person at a time. When I do, I experience the Cloud’s invitation to eternal joy.

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No more news; pray instead

10/8/2018

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This morning my post on acottagebythesea told of my commitment to stop watching the news, stop being obsessed with it, stop letting politicians run my life. I have no chance of being the person God wants me to be if I spend my waking hours being judgmental and angry, and for sure the news will lead me along that path.
Specifically, if God is calling me to prayer for people, I have to do my part to keep my heart open. Being angry and judgmental closes my heart, closes out God, closes out communication between God and me, which is where true prayer lies. It’s as simple as that, and as challenging as that. Focusing on God, not on the news, is a way to start.

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Death of Fr. Thomas Keating~

God waiting in the wings~

My own Bible study

Power of love~

No more news; pray instead

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