Can a photograph be a prayer?
During a recent retreat program this year, I briefly mentioned the prayer form known as Visio Divina, which means Divine Seeing. In the Catholic Church, we use visuals for just about everything to remind us and bring us into prayer with God. Crucifixes, statues, images, and paintings all fall into the category. Most of what is in the Church (images) have a theological, spiritual or ecclesiastical meaning. So what about those items in our everyday lives.
During the retreat, we looked at everyday items and discussed their relevance to our mission as Catholics. A water bottle, a journal, even a life jacket all can be handled and seen where God has created something which has purpose and meaning in our lives. I wonder if you notice everyday items in your life?
For myself, a photograph is something of value; often holding a spiritual significance. When we decide to take a photograph of someone or something, there is usually a meaning behind it. Perhaps we want to revisit that moment or situation? Maybe we want to share it with another, to bring this joy to another who cannot be there at the same time.
Imagine you were going to a desert island and you could bring three images with you? What would they be? Who would be in those images? Which images can you study and notice more than is there on first glance? We often see this in paintings, as we pry out or interpret the meaning of the artist. While we are looking at the image, we are also seeing the soul of the artist in some way; even if the artist did not intend it.
Perhaps this week we can look at some photographs and meditate on them. What are we seeing? Someone or something we love, or perhaps less so? What emotions does the photograph evoke? Love, desire, sacrifice, rejection, perhaps sadness. Take a moment and consider it. When you have come in contact with your feelings, then ask what God might be saying to me in this image, and in my reflecting on the image? Is God calling to me? What is that call?

I am attaching an image which to many might seem meaningless. It was taken at Valyermo in the high desert, California. Not that is really relevant to its meaning.
As yourself a few questions about this image. What do the stones represent? Why are some out of focus? What did the photographer have in mind, when you might have passed by these everyday items?
Then perhaps, you can ask yourself the question. Can a photograph be a prayer? Do I have any photographs which I might consider to be a prayer?

Copyright 2019 Reflection and Photography Michael J. Cunningham O.F.S.

What’s your favorite story from Scripture?

Many of us have favorite stories from Scripture.  At least, I do.  One of my favorites is the story of David and Goliath found in the First Book of Samuel.  Clearly, I’m not the only one who savors this story as it is referenced again and again in situations in which there’s one side who is powerful and one who is weak.

Perhaps you know the story well but let me summarize it.  It tells of the confrontation between the grizzled, fearsome, Philistine warrior, Goliath, and the unscarred, inexperienced and perhaps even naïve, yet strangely confident young David. The context is the war between the army of the Philistines and the army of Israel led by King Saul.  Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, calls out any warrior of Saul’s army that is brave enough to face him.  The stakes are winner takes all.  Saul, the King of Israel despairs at the challenge because he has no one of Goliath’s caliber.  He faces losing the war by default.

Up steps young David, inexperienced in war, untried in arms, but filled with faith in God’s protection.  Saul is grateful to David for stepping up to the challenge but tries to dissuade him from going out to meet Goliath.  Saul is sure David will be killed.  But Saul finally agrees to let David represent Israel because there is no one else and David is unafraid and filled with trust in God. The result of the encounter is familiar to us all.  A smooth stone picked up from the riverbed, David’s sling, and a well-placed hit on the forehead of Goliath.  Stunned, Goliath falls.  David walks up to him, takes Goliath’s sword and decapitates him.  A bloody ending it’s true, but a triumph for Israel.

While this story of David has heroic proportions and most of us don’t feel much like heroes most of the time, it can still give us hope in our own life.  Though the fate of a nation rarely depends on us, most of us do have real struggles and often seemingly unsurmountable difficulties in our lives.  Let’s face it, often we just don’t know what to do in response to the challenges we face.  Sometimes it can be our inability to please or even understand what’s going on in members of our family.  Or, it could be in dealing with a particularly difficult situation or person at work.  Or, it could be figuring out how to deal with prickly political or social situations.  We can even feel helpless in responding to world issues such as hunger, social injustice, racial prejudice, and violence.  There are so many situations in our lives that are far beyond our capabilities.  We don’t know how to respond and sometimes doubt our ability even to survive. 

At the very core of young David’s ability to deal with the much stronger Goliath is his complete trust in God.  Surely, if David had not had that trust, he would have hesitated to step forward.  And, even if he were able to step up, it would have been very likely that his aim would have been less sure.  Clearly, his calm and confidence and thus, his success was the result of his utter trust in God.  His unimagined victory gives us courage. 

Every time I think about this ancient story about David and Goliath, I wonder about my own trust in God.  Do I trust that God is with me, even in the confusing and challenging situations in my life? Does David show the way?  Is it a way that makes sense to me, here and now?  How can I strengthen my conviction that God is with me?

Copyright 2019 Reflection by Michael Higgins, CP
Copyright 2019 Photograph by Michael J. Cunningham OFS

 
You may re-use this material and republish with permission unless used for commercial purposes. If you are using the materials for commercial purposes, please contact us.
Please feel free to forward this email to a friend to sign up for the program at www.spiritualbreak.com or at https://materdolorosa.org/spiritualbreak/
 
 

When we hear those infamous words “the call,” those of my generation think about it as something restricted to saints or vocations for the religious life. We view the words as something sacred, yet something unattainable for us mere mortals. It is left to those special ones chosen by Christ to do the “important” work here on earth.
We could not be more mistaken. God has chosen each one of us, and our unique contribution to do his work. In the Confirmation program at Saint Eulalia’s much of the program is based around the word “chosen.” Each of us is made in His image. The image of God. With that as a starting point, it could not be any other way.

“I have chosen you to be with me.”. “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” (paraphrase of John 15:16 and Mark 3:13)

So when we hear “the call” we, first of all, have to break this down to a more practical level. We don’t get just one call in our lives. There may be calls that are louder than others, which seem impossible to refuse (like my move to California recently for example), but there are many more calls which are reminders of how God wants us to live out our lives.

Perhaps I can reflect on the calls which have been vital in my life. The ones which really changed everything?

If there are many calls, then perhaps the most critical point is for me to listen more attentively so I might hear them. So instead of waiting for a lightning strike that is going to knock me to the ground to get our attention, I should instead be listening for small, still voice in the heart where God is with me all the time.
St. John Paul II always talked of small steps, of micro-conversions during each day, each one moving us in an almost indiscernible way to be closer to God. Each one of these steps moves us closer to God, as we help our neighbor, resolve an ancient dispute or love the unloved.

So the call may not be massive life event (although sometimes it can be) but can be smaller calls during each day. And the call to Holiness is a silent but continuous call which is as present as the air we breathe. Let me look for the small calls, God’s voicemails if you like, to see where I am being called today.
 

 
THE CALL
 
All calls are not equal.
The fire alarm invites us all to leave the building,
Calling us to safety and anxiety.
While the call for supper invites us to share,
With loved ones in spiritual and bodily nourishment.
Of all calls, the ones imbibed with love should never be screened out.
 
Because the source validates the message.
And should be acted upon. 
 
 
Copyright 2019 Reflection, Poem and Photograph by Michael J. Cunningham OFS

 
You may re-use this material and republish with permission unless used for commercial purposes. If you are using the materials for commercial purposes, please contact us.
Please feel free to forward this email to a friend to sign up for the program at www.spiritualbreak.com or at https://materdolorosa.org/spiritualbreak/
 
 
 

When we hear those infamous words “the call,” those of my generation think about it as something restricted to saints or vocations for the religious life. We view the words as something sacred, yet something unattainable for us mere mortals. It is left to those special ones chosen by Christ to do the “important” work here on earth.
We could not be more mistaken. God has chosen each one of us, and our unique contribution to do his work. In the Confirmation program at Saint Eulalia’s much of the program is based around the word “chosen.” Each of us is made in His image. The image of God. With that as a starting point, it could not be any other way.

“I have chosen you to be with me.”. “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” (paraphrase of John 15:16 and Mark 3:13)

So when we hear “the call” we, first of all, have to break this down to a more practical level. We don’t get just one call in our lives. There may be calls that are louder than others, which seem impossible to refuse (like my move to California recently for example), but there are many more calls which are reminders of how God wants us to live out our lives.

Perhaps I can reflect on the calls which have been vital in my life. The ones which really changed everything?

If there are many calls, then perhaps the most critical point is for me to listen more attentively so I might hear them. So instead of waiting for a lightning strike that is going to knock me to the ground to get our attention, I should instead be listening for small, still voice in the heart where God is with me all the time.
St. John Paul II always talked of small steps, of micro-conversions during each day, each one moving us in an almost indiscernible way to be closer to God. Each one of these steps moves us closer to God, as we help our neighbor, resolve an ancient dispute or love the unloved.

So the call may not be massive life event (although sometimes it can be) but can be smaller calls during each day. And the call to Holiness is a silent but continuous call which is as present as the air we breathe. Let me look for the small calls, God’s voicemails if you like, to see where I am being called today.
 

 
THE CALL
 
All calls are not equal.
The fire alarm invites us all to leave the building,
Calling us to safety and anxiety.
While the call for supper invites us to share,
With loved ones in spiritual and bodily nourishment.
Of all calls, the ones imbibed with love should never be screened out.
 
Because the source validates the message.
And should be acted upon. 
 
 
Copyright 2019 Reflection, Poem and Photograph by Michael J. Cunningham OFS

 
You may re-use this material and republish with permission unless used for commercial purposes. If you are using the materials for commercial purposes, please contact us.
Please feel free to forward this email to a friend to sign up for the program at www.spiritualbreak.com or at https://materdolorosa.org/spiritualbreak/
 
 
 

Recently, while attending my own weekend retreat with my parish, I found Dr. Michael Cunningham’s conference on “God in the Everyday” inspired me to go back and read one of my journal entries while on the Camino de Santiago de Campostella in Spain. It certainly was easy to find God in those every days…

I wrote:
Day Four and I find myself wishing to remember the sounds of the Camino. The clicking of the Pilgrim’s shells we were all given when we started out at Saria. We attach them to our backpacks, and they clink as we walk. The crunch of feet on the ground and the gentle greetings exchanged as we pass by each other, “Ola, Buen Camino”, everyone knows this simple blessing.

The gentle breeze through the trees as we walk along, the sound of the birds. Sometimes there is running water. The sights are equally beautiful and noteworthy. Flowers like roses and hydrangeas—larger than I’ve ever seen. The geraniums growing in pots on the quaint buildings along the way. Many ruins as well, where nature is reclaiming the land.

The ancient Celtic village pre-Roman times circa 400 B.C.E. Each tells of stories and echoes from the past. The blackberries growing along the sides of the roads. The steady stride of Pilgrims. The quiet conversations at cafes along the way, other groups calling out greetings to us. For days we’ve been crossing paths with a family from South Africa. They happily call out to us, “America” with large smiles on their faces as we take our rest. My husband waves right back with a “Hi, South Africa”.
In these gifted moments of encounter, I am filled with the sense of joy reaching down to my soul to realize our oneness. Everything belongs—everyone belongs, just below the surface and it is discovered along the Camino.
How we get disconnected when we all go home to our own place. Our “corner of the ring.” Yet, here it is most definitely “Peace on Earth” at least after day four and I’ve yet to be convinced otherwise.
Lord, I feel your presence on this journey.  You are here. You are in the sun shining through the trees, along the paths, in the Pilgrims, large and small, open and closed. Touch us all with your love! Prepare the soil of our hearts to receive you in whatever way you choose to gift us—even in the blackberries.

Thank you for the gift of the quiet moments and the loud moments—you are there!

The Camino stretches out before us like a river moving us closer to you with every step. I praise you, Lord God, for your presence and your love.

And so, I invite you to ponder:
What are the sounds and sights in your day which remind you of God’s presence?
How have you encountered God in those you’ve met today?

Before we began walking each day, my husband and I used this prayer. Now, we continue to say it every day as we move along the Camino of life.

Prayer:
Guardian of my soul,
guide me on my way today.
Keep me safe from harm.
Deepen my relationship with you,
your earth and all your family.
Strengthen your love within me that I may be a presence of your peace
in our world. Amen

Joyce Rupp; Life Lessons from the Camino.

From the Camino, image by Jean Bowler

Copyright 2019 Reflection by Jean Bowler
Copyright 2019 Photography Copyright by Jean Bowler

You may re-use this material and republish with permission unless used for commercial purposes. If you are using the materials for commercial purposes, please contact us.
Please feel free to forward this email to a friend to sign up for the program at www.spiritualbreak.com or at https://materdolorosa.org/spiritualbreak/