Monthly Archives: February 2017

Feb142017

A. Carthusian ‘Life in God’s Presence’

God would not be the eternal goodness and wisdom if he did not—along with his courting of our love— give us the means to this unity with him. These means, which bring us with certainty into direct relationship with God, are the three theological virtues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit that accompany them.

By faith we affirm the truth of the divine life that has been promised to us. Through love we possess it. Hope gives us the certainty that with the help of grace we will grow in this life and finally possess it perfectly and unendingly in heaven. In this activity of the three theological virtues is the substance of every deep and sincere prayer. We can carry on a conversation directly with God in the innocence and simplicity of our souls. “In simplicitate cordis quaerite illum—Seek him with simplicity of heart” (Wis 1:1).

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The work of the imagination is a purely human activity, and therefore it is not prayer. That’s the first reason why we want to reduce it to what is essential. Of course, through the influence of grace this subordinate activity is ennobled and can be directed toward a supernatural goal. But despite this, it is still true that the power of the imagination, like any capacity related to sensation tires quickly and grows weary of its object. To call forth fantasy pictures and hold on to them is too strenuous a task for one to be able to continue with for any length of time. Consequently, we can’t obtain any substantial or even notable part of our prayer life from this source since, according to the demands of the Gospel, prayer should be simple and continual. “Oportet semper orare et non deficere—One ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Lk 18:1).

Besides, the imagination is not able to get in touch with the supernatural realities. These are only accessible through pure faith. One can at most play with the shadows, the veils of these invisible realities, while we can reach immediate, interior connection with them through the divine virtues. –A. Carthusian ‘Life in God’s Presence’

A link to an insightful review of Scorsese’s film ‘Silence by a Dominican brother.

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Feb132017

Hush Hush Darling

An Arvo Part lullaby, the images from Galicia Spain–northwest mountain territory above Portugal , the river Sil and the monastery of Saint Stephen (San Estaban).

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Feb132017

Advancing forward with discretion

If we have through our own fault stopped the flow of divine favors, let us at once remove the cause of the evil.  If our conscience can find nothing to reproach us with, let us adore with humble confidence the holy will of God.  And while awaiting the moment of His providence, let us endeavor with redoubled zeal to sanctify the trial and to prepare ourselves for new graces.  So long as we are faithful to the practice, our state of prayer may indeed spear at a standstill; but in reality our faith is growing more luminous and all the virtues are gathering strength, particularly love, confidence, and abandonment.  –Abbot Vitalis Lehodey ‘Holy Abandonment’

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Feb132017

The Sacrifice scenes: ending and Little Man

A scene from a provocative film, ‘The Sacrifice’, by Andrei Tarkovsky, an insightful wallowing in the life (a life during wartime), and eventual breakdown, of a retired philosophical actor making little sense amidst truth-telling, while expressing the need for a savior, illuminating toward the direction of Christ.  It was Tarkovsky’s last film, shot as he suffered through terminal cancer.

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Feb122017

Two meals during a free day

Another Sunday free from employment ending with a fireplace blazing. The roar of the flames reminds me of Vermont and the Carthusian cell. More chores around the home, settling into the idea it is mine to transform. With the conclusion of home improvements, I ventured to Momo’s, a favorite restaurant, a Moroccan splendor, a quaint eatery with the finest of host and chef. Momo does it all, waits and buses tables, assists in the cooking—a highly certified chef, although his wife handles most of the labor, and utmost his humble sincere charm provides pleasant fellowship. It was a delight to learn that today is the second anniversary of opening his restaurant. I admire his motivation to provide an intimate dining experience at a reasonable price, setting out a minimal amount of tables, while occupying the front of his restaurant with lounging couches for traditional dining and tea drinking—Moroccan tea a lovely green tea with natural mint flavoring. Momo always takes the time to sincerely find out what has been going on in the lives of his regulars. I was humbled by the attention he showered today with all his tables full. He is the only one to wait tables. Momo is a joy to encounter. It was the second agreeable eating experience of the day. After Mass at St Paul Shrine, I lunched with a larger party of Sunday regulars, a crowd I am growing more and more comfortable with. Once again, the men, for the most part, situated themselves at one end of the setting, with the woman gathering at the other. Father Sam and one other man, slowed by severe arthritis, occupied the furthest end of the table, the end closest to the door, the women placed between them and us chattering bunch of men. Lawyer Jim attended this gathering, and per usual he dominated and led the conversation. His knowledge of Cleveland is immense and he enjoys sharing with me since he knows I am newer to the city. The luncheon was held at the Harp restaurant, an Irish establishment located on the near west side, situated near the lake. Jim pointed out the water filtering plant visible from our vantage point, explaining elaborately the expansive system providing water for the city. His office was located downtown and I assume his professional duties were tied to knowing the happenings of the city. The fellowship soothes comfortably. I appreciated the lack of inquiries regarding the significant other. Many of the gathered admire her so I am sure they were curious. Assisting the gentleman with arthritis out to his car, he did privately ask about her. He lives not too far from her and it was obvious he was charmed by her. I told him we were taking a mutually agreed upon separation. He made sure to halt his struggles to walk with his walker in order to express how much he enjoyed socializing with us as a couple, never impeding upon impropriety. I expressed how much I admired and enjoyed her myself. The situation coalesced with my musings during Mass, the natural direction my mind wandered during the sacred ceremony. Confidence roared as grace elevated my disposition when I considered the two relationships I have been involved in during my time in Cleveland. Within my imperfections and shortcomings, a certainty dominated that I had handled matters honorably. I had pursued authentically the Catholic principle of courting, providing a capable man able to love, provide, and be strong–able to be a good Catholic husband.  The grace that carried over after Mass, providing no conclusions, allowed me to grasp the graciousness of God, the healing provided within both relationships.  God is good and all giving.  Maybe that was all God wanted me to draw from them, before asking for my heart in total dedication to Him. They served to make me a stronger man of God, even considering the low and difficult points. The path God opens to the future I feel no need to speculate upon, happy to enjoy the day free from work.

The one and only Momo.

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Feb122017

Te Deum

I have a new traveling partner,that being the compositions of Arvo Part.

Te Deum, also sometimes called the Ambrosian Hymn because of its association with St. Ambrose, is a traditional hymn of joy and thanksgiving. First attributed to Sts. Ambrose, Augustine, or Hilary, it is now accredited to Nicetas, Bishop of Remesiana; (4th century). It is used at the conclusion of the Office of the Readings for the Liturgy of the Hours on Sundays outside Lent, daily during the Octaves of Christmas and Easter, and on Solemnities and Feast Days. The petitions at the end were added at a later time and are optional. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it in thanksgiving and a plenary indulgence is granted if the hymn is recited publicly on the last day of the year.  –EWTN website.

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Feb112017

Early morning struggle

Early morning Holy Hour proved difficult, fighting sleep throughout the time of prayer.  I recall a spiritual master declaring the prayers we are forced to struggle through are the most efficacious.  On the natural level, I recall John the Hermit exclaiming that if we are fighting sleep during our prayer time it is our body speaking to us, crying ‘I need more sleep’.  I am working at least six days a week, ten hours a day.  The toll was obvious this morning.  I am content with work, settling more and more comfortable into my position, at peace and liking my coworkers.  The time is not difficult at work, perfect in regards to my desire to accumulate cash.  Perched upon a mountaintop is the allurement of a life with the Carthusians, a life dedicated to prayer, the end of a life succumbing within rest in God, obedient and within the Church.  I have been overwhelmed throughout the week with thoughts of the Franciscan Brothers Minor during Adoration at St Paul Shrine, deeply considering a letter to Father David Mary regarding discernment.  Tomorrow, after the downtown luncheon with the Shrine gathering, I will spend the day with the Man of Prayer.  He is a man who intentionally managed his life around his prayer life, working a nondemanding job for lesser pay than his qualifications and skills could acquire, solely for the purpose of freeing his time for prayer, a greater devotion to the ways of God.  The effort intrigues, lingering as a possibility.  God is good and all giving.

Morning prayers from St Dominic Holy Hour on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes:

Come, O lord Our God, from Your throne of glory in Your kingdom.  Come and sanctify us, You who sit above with the Father but who is invisibly present with us.  Come and help us give worthy thanks to You for all the gifts You have lavished upon us.  You who have given us these gifts allow us to be faithful witnesses to Your real presence in the Holy Eucharist and let us be united to Your Body and Blood so that we may have Christ dwelling in our hearts.  We pray this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, forever and ever.  Amen. 

On this feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, we remember that Mary is the model of human wholeness—a wholeness that is joyfully and utterly surrendered to God. And so she reflects her Son Jesus who reveals the merciful face of the Father, touching the world with healing and wholeness….We too can echo Mary’s cry ‘The Almighty has done great things for me!”

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