Unshakable Inner Peace
 
Sometimes life creates a lot of pressure on us. This might be a new trial, the illness of a loved one, where we feel the pain through our hearts, or something unexpected in our lives. Learning to accept these trials with fortitude and courage is one way of dealing with them. Putting on a brave face, sometimes not even communicating the problem to others, as if there is some shame associated with whatever is happening.

At times such as this, we can react in many ways; sharing with a close number of friends who provide the love and support we need, shutting down, and trying to keep this pain a secret. Sometimes a mixture of all three. One reaction is to turn to God. Turn to God and ask for help in the matter, to cure the illness, fix the pain, save the day. We get out our ATM Prayer card and request results for either ourselves or others. Such is the power and tradition of intercessory and petitionary prayer in our faith. There is nothing wrong with this approach.
However, we should notice those in the world who never seem to be shaken no matter what happens to them. I continue to be amazed in my ministry at the resilience of those who can deal with terrible situations and still “go on.” They have something which the saints have, and that something is unshakable inner peace.  A peace which only emanates from a deep, intimate and incredibly close relationship with God.

We live in a society which expects results and wants them quickly. From the doctor, the mechanic, our investments, the plumber. Everyone seems to be on call for us, mainly when we are in need. Yet, we know, in our hearts, we cannot have such demands in our relationship with God. We cannot control God, yet we request these results immediately. We all know what “friends” are like who only call us when they need something, I certainly have family members who I know need something when they make contact. It is not a good feeling to be used or called just for this purpose.

So this week, let us make some visits to God without the requests, the demands, the needs. And just be present with Him for the sake of our own loving relationship with him. Let us deepen our feelings towards God, surrendering as St. Theresa of Avila invites us. To leave love to the master of love, and let His love flow into us, unimpeded by a cluster of requests. Then, perhaps one day, we will savor that same unshakable inner peace for which we all yearn.  
 
  
Heading Home
 
Sometimes it’s better just to run,
When the pain is too great,
And we need to return to the source,
The Womb, from whence we came.
 
And take a rest for a while,
Enjoying the place we momentarily forgot,
Home.
 

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

Have you ever done anything you regretted?  If you haven’t, I want to meet you because I’ve never met anyone who didn’t regret some things in their lives.  It seems that regret is something of a universal, human experience!  It’s no surprise to have regrets.  After all, sometimes we take risks or do things that have consequences very different from what we planned or imagined.  Or, sometimes we do things because we’re hurt, angry or afraid that we regret when things calm down a bit.  And, of course, when we make decisions based on our feelings of righteousness or of vengeance (often enough rationalized as “justice”) we have much to regret.

The Prophet Zechariah (Chapter 12) speaks of God pouring out on the house of David and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem a “spirit of grace and petition” that frees them to embrace their deep regrets over their destruction of the “one whom they have pierced” so that they can mourn and be purified from their great sin.
All of us need such a grace.  Can we expect God to give us such a gift?  Are you free enough to even receive such a grace?  Or, are you locked into the prison of living in your regrets?  A difficult dilemma we each much face! Perhaps as we struggle with our regrets, the challenging question Jesus asks of his apostles in Luke’s Gospel (Chapter 9) is an important question for us as well.  “But who do you say that I (Jesus) am?”  What is your answer?  Can you reply with Peter, “The Christ of God!”?  Or, are you trapped into believing something less?

If we believe that Jesus is “The Christ of God” then we know that God has given us the “spirit of grace” that frees us to mourn our regrets and be purified of our sin.  That is, after all, what Christ has done for us.  As St. Paul testifies in his letter to the Galatians, “through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus.” 

One of the great challenges of the Christian life is “to be who we are.”  Are we completely convinced that we are God’s children through the death and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ?  If we are, we can not only be freed from the prison of our regrets, but we are also freed to share God’s great love with all those in our lives.
 

A Trail of Regret 

 
 
Copyright 2019 Reflection Michael Higgins, C.PS.
Copyright 2019 Photography Michael J. Cunningham O.F.S.
 

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

 
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