Sunday, June 07, 2015
Sunday Reflection: Every Day I Write the Book
Right now, I am working hard to finish up my book about the Trial of Jesus, which is due to the publisher on July 1. I am pretty much on target, and I love this period where I am writing every day. There is a wonderful rhythm to it that I experience too rarely.
Previously, I have written two books. One was a novel, and the other a non-fiction piece about the criminal process described in the gospels. This book is somewhere in between in that it contains a real story, but the narrative is like a novel. Everyone ends up different.
The other thing I am finding as I write the story of a few years of my life is something I did not expect. I think we all imagine that we write the script of our own life-- that the things that happen are all the result primarily of choices we have made. And while I think we are responsible for our choices, in writing it out I am realizing how much of what went write is the result of the choices that other people made: their good ideas, their prompting, their collaboration and hard work. I too often forget that.
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Your thoughts expressed during Lent at the Church of The Holy Comforter (CNN, Jesus on trial: What would a modern jury do? Eric Marrapodi, 2011) speaks to the instrument of His peace you and Jeanne were called to be. . .
This past week Susan Stabile posted (Sounds of Silence: 06-02-15) from the retreat she was helping lead at the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. . .
“In my view, silence is an incredibly important part of the retreat experience. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI once observed, ’By remaining silent we allow the other person to speak…[a] space is created for mutual listening, and deeper human relationships become possible. It is often in silence, for example, that we observe the most authentic communication taking place between people who are in love: gestures, facial expressions and body language are signs by which they reveal themselves to each other.’
‘A space is created for mutual listening.” That mutual listening is something that was important to St. Ignatius. Ignatius does not believe our prayer should be a one-sided conversation where we do all the talking. Rather, we want to let God speak to us, and the silence helps that. Silence allows us to let go of some of the noise and distraction that prevents us from really focusing and hearing what God wants to convey to us. There is that beautiful passage in the First Book of Kings in the Hebrew Scriptures about God speaking to Elijah: God spoke to Elijah not in the storm, not in the earthquake, not in the fire, but in the quiet gentle whisper which could only be heard in the silence. We want to adopt the posture of Samuel: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”
“. . . in writing it out I am realizing how much of what went write is the result of the choices that other people made: their good ideas, their prompting, their collaboration and hard work. I too often forget that.” As an instrument of His peace, we are called to “collaboration”. . .
1. Can silence also be a burden?
Can it not be somewhat debilitating continually seeking (wanting) to hear from God? When we awake each morning and respond to our Lord’s call, “come,” are we not ‘seeking’ moments of interaction (mutual listening) and serving another (others)?
To truly give of self, we need first surrender to self. Trusting faith that one of God’s greatest blessings is sharing a moment with another person.
“Everything we say to another, do for another or accomplish on behalf of another is initiated by our willingness to share a moment in time. When our Spirit allows another person to feel comfortable in our presence, so many wonderful experiences are possible – silence can be enjoyed, listening can be rewarded, words can be appreciated, a message can be heard, tasks can be accomplished, relationships can be reinforced or mended, events can be defining, love can be made, the possibilities are endless. It starts with sharing a moment, sharing a moment together; nothing has value unless it is shared.” – Christine
The silence following often affords an instantaneous reflective (listening) examination (conscience) of thoughts and actions with the Holy Spirit – encouraging living life (giving of self) with few regrets.
The shorter the ‘silence’ between opportunities to share a moment with another offers great joy – and a closer relationship with God, as personal imperfections of giving (the more frequently shared) afford an almost continual conversation with the Holy Spirit. . .
This past week Susan Stabile posted (Sounds of Silence: 06-02-15) from the retreat she was helping lead at the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. . .
“In my view, silence is an incredibly important part of the retreat experience. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI once observed, ’By remaining silent we allow the other person to speak…[a] space is created for mutual listening, and deeper human relationships become possible. It is often in silence, for example, that we observe the most authentic communication taking place between people who are in love: gestures, facial expressions and body language are signs by which they reveal themselves to each other.’
‘A space is created for mutual listening.” That mutual listening is something that was important to St. Ignatius. Ignatius does not believe our prayer should be a one-sided conversation where we do all the talking. Rather, we want to let God speak to us, and the silence helps that. Silence allows us to let go of some of the noise and distraction that prevents us from really focusing and hearing what God wants to convey to us. There is that beautiful passage in the First Book of Kings in the Hebrew Scriptures about God speaking to Elijah: God spoke to Elijah not in the storm, not in the earthquake, not in the fire, but in the quiet gentle whisper which could only be heard in the silence. We want to adopt the posture of Samuel: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”
“. . . in writing it out I am realizing how much of what went write is the result of the choices that other people made: their good ideas, their prompting, their collaboration and hard work. I too often forget that.” As an instrument of His peace, we are called to “collaboration”. . .
1. Can silence also be a burden?
Can it not be somewhat debilitating continually seeking (wanting) to hear from God? When we awake each morning and respond to our Lord’s call, “come,” are we not ‘seeking’ moments of interaction (mutual listening) and serving another (others)?
To truly give of self, we need first surrender to self. Trusting faith that one of God’s greatest blessings is sharing a moment with another person.
“Everything we say to another, do for another or accomplish on behalf of another is initiated by our willingness to share a moment in time. When our Spirit allows another person to feel comfortable in our presence, so many wonderful experiences are possible – silence can be enjoyed, listening can be rewarded, words can be appreciated, a message can be heard, tasks can be accomplished, relationships can be reinforced or mended, events can be defining, love can be made, the possibilities are endless. It starts with sharing a moment, sharing a moment together; nothing has value unless it is shared.” – Christine
The silence following often affords an instantaneous reflective (listening) examination (conscience) of thoughts and actions with the Holy Spirit – encouraging living life (giving of self) with few regrets.
The shorter the ‘silence’ between opportunities to share a moment with another offers great joy – and a closer relationship with God, as personal imperfections of giving (the more frequently shared) afford an almost continual conversation with the Holy Spirit. . .
Christine, silence and contemplation is something I am still learning… but it helps to be friends with Susan, who always gently urges me towards that.
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