Sr. Terry gave a brief, enlightening retreat at the beginning of Advent… got us off to a good start by reflecting on what kind of vessels we are at this point in our lives.
I did see myself as off balance, and tipped over – and as somewhat worn and chipped. Both of those vessels, the cup on its side and the chipped bowl are deep enough to hold more.
This might be the logical follow-on to Transfiguration…
Yesterday I was presented with the thought/statement:
We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.
Hmmm… when I look at the world, my friends, my work situtation, my family – what of myself am I projecting onto the scene? I find a lot more peace when I try to look at the scene with the eyes of Jesus. Ok – with the eyes of Jesus as I perceive them. To truly see in that way, I must be transformed within to be more like God. Or is it that I must allow God to be God/Goddess and I to be in proper order in the universe?
This could get very messy and circular before long, I can see. So, to simplify it enough to try to be able to work with it, I’ll follow this path: know that I am not here to judge, but to love. Know that prophets were not calling down bad things on people, but looking clearly at the consequences of actions (live by the sword, die by the sword?)
The bottom line here is that I must allow myself to be transformed within to see with the eyes of Christ (God?). Part of how I do that is to conciously take God into the situation with me to help me see. Then, I must allow what I see in that light to change me within.
I am reminded of a my friend, JF’s response to my observation that he knows me well, and knows about so much of the dirt (he is my confessor), and still likes and accepts me: his response – “I must reflect the God I believe in.”
Back to the circular logic…
Today’s gospel reading was the Transfiguration… you know – where Peter, James and John get a glimpse of REALITY. God with us… sandwiched into familiar things.
OK – so I played for two masses and heard the slightly two differing versions of the same homily. And what did I come away with?
First – That closest moment issue. That means that at least once during the week, I take the time to pay attention to grace at work in my life. I take the time to remember being touched, even when it didn’t occur to me at the time. I remember not only my struggle with the problem, or friend, but the moment when I knew down to my toes that “All shall be well.” I remember the changes in my mentality that resulted from some deep rearranging of my thoughts and feelings. Basically – I am reminded to pay attention, to listen, to be mindful.
And that reminder that God is present brings up the pat on the shoulder that let me know I was being thought of, or joy of watching the dogs play and be dogs, or how good it was that we ran into some folks we knew while waiting for a table at a restaurant and wound up sharing a table and conversation and a bit ourselves.
Little un-miracles… like the old Cotton commercials: “Grace: the fabric of our lives.”
From Eyes turned outward ( Posted by Andy White on Saturday, July 22nd, 2006 at 9:29 am. )
Found this to be quite interesting, and enlightening. Especially the idea of asking God to step aside when we prefer to accomodate the need for other people to like us and this thought that follows.
If we need to please, we act with an agenda; we attach huge conditions to our actions, basically saying “I am doing this so that you will like me.†God can’t shine through such acts because he has, at our request – as Dallas Willard pointed out – graciously stepped aside, and isn’t actually present. Consequently, our actions become nothing more than empty, selfish gestures.
I think God might still be present, but, not in the way I would want. It’s a powerful thought though.
Thanks Andy…
I am a 53 year old woman with 2 sons, 1 daughter, one son-in-law, one daughter-in-law, 2 schnausers, 1 cat, a house, 3 guitars and a Miata.
My first grandchild is expected to arrive in October. I looking forward to her arrival.
I have somehow managed to stay married to the same man for 31 years – probably through no fault of my own.
I have survived an alcoholic father, at least one extended bout of depression, and birthing 3 babies “naturally” (no medication – my choice to do it that way) and converting to the Catholic Church.
Finally in life, I have learned to appreciate the joy of girlfriends – the joys of sharing my life with my sisters.
Life is good.