Is Beauty a Moment of Prayer?
 
The spiritual masters, including St. Paul of the Cross can be often heard saying “When you are aware that you are praying, you are not praying very deeply.” At first blush, this may appear to be a surprising statement. Yet, we can all recall doing something without appearing to pay attention to it.
Perhaps one of the most obvious experiences is in driving a car. We drive along the way to our destination and then suddenly realize we don’t “remember” going through the past three towns which were on the way; and yet, we didn’t have an accident along the way.

The same can be true of praying, while deliberate, responsive prayer provides proof we are praying, some of the most powerful prayer experiences go unnoticed. A great example of what St. Paul is saying is the ministry of presence. Remember what it is like when you visit a friend or family member in the hospital, where you just sit together in silence, without a need to say or do anything, and yet, we are often praying very deeply purely by being in their presence. These are prayers without agenda, just sitting at the foot of the Cross with them, being available, a friendly soul is just what is needed. A soul friend.

John O’Donohue, the Irish writer and poet, wrote extensively on this type of friendship in his best-selling book Aman Cara (Gaelic for Soul Friend), where he describes this relationship and the deep prayer life which results.

Another encounter we often have is when the beauty of nature captures our imagination. This prayer of beauty enters our soul in a way we cannot describe, yet we know this of God and we respond with loving admiration or gratitude. The gift was given to us by God, and we are notified with a real recognition of beauty. For myself, photography is one way of holding these moments as they occur, (I almost always have a camera with me), and then I can go back and reflect on the gift recorded by the camera.

Perhaps this week we can consider some of those times in our lives when we find ourselves praying deeply without noticing those moments. Reflecting on the week just past. What were those moments?

Just as I did this past week looking at a “wood-pile” shelter built in a clearing. Perhaps this shelter was an intentional prayer in itself, one where the builders could return to the gift they provided for others as they need it. Is that something I could do for others?
 
 
  
 
THE SHELTER

 
 
 
 
Reflection and photograph Copyright © 2019 Michael J. Cunningham OFS

How critical are you?
Even good people get criticized.  If you ever read the Scriptures, you can’t help but realize how devastating constant criticism of someone can be.  In fact, in the Scriptures it seems that the better the person is, the more often and cruelly they are criticized!
Have you ever read the Book of the prophet Jeremiah?  There can be little doubt that he was a good person.  In fact, he stands out as one of the very best.  Yet, as Jeremiah tells his story, he often laments the constant criticism he is receiving from so many of his peers, especially the religious leaders of his time.  He comes to the realization that they are not only critical of him but are even “hatching plots against me.”  The religious leaders set out to destroy Jeremiah’s reputation and ultimately, by their false testimony about him and constant harping against him, got him thrown into prison.  No doubt they were pleased that they had destroyed his reputation and forced him out.  Ironically, it was Jeremiah’s vision and witness that sustained the people of Israel during their darkest experiences of defeat and exile.

If we think Jeremiah got a raw deal, it seems that Jesus was treated even more cruelly during his short life.  When Jesus first began his ministry at the age of 30, he was hailed by those who heard him as “one of the prophets” or perhaps “the Christ.”  But soon enough the comments and speculations descended into bickering about where he’s from (Galilee? Bethlehem?), who his parents are, whether he is of the royal line of David, etc., etc.!   The arguments grow more truculent and the enemies of Jesus grow more determined when the soldiers refuse to arrest Jesus when ordered to do so.  Clearly, the chief priests and the Pharisees continue to malign Jesus and soon plan his destruction.  And destroy him they do.  It is only the resurrection of Jesus from the dead that overcomes those who ridiculed him so viciously.

It may be me, but it seems that there is a lot of criticism bandied about these days.  Political leaders, church leaders, local community leaders, members of school boards, parishioners and fellow citizens all seem to be fair targets for someone.  Accusations and denunciations are made with little or no concern about whether they are true.  The more scandalous or scurrilous the charges the more play they are given in the media, on the internet or over the back fence.  Few seem to worry about the impact the gossip has on not only the people targeted but also their families and friends.
It was this same kind of toxic atmosphere that ultimately imprisoned Jeremiah and killed Jesus.  It would seem that as Catholic Christians who know the stories of Jeremiah and Jesus so well, we would refuse to enter into the free-flowing game of criticizing those around us, whether they be family, personal friends, or local and national leaders. Yet, we have to admit that sometimes we seem to forget that Christ’s call to love one another is the true path for us. 

How critical am I of the people around me?  Of local or national leaders?  Of Church leaders?  Of the people I love?

Do I let the gossip I hear diminish my respect for others?

Does Christ’s challenge to love everyone in our lives affect the way I talk about others?

 
Boundaries
 

 
The boundaries are everywhere,
Predefined seats, untouchable yet unwritten thrones.
Predispositions on the menu again,
Reinforced by glances, concealing the glare which lies below.
 
Others gossip seemingly unaware of the bully present,
Now beating the minds and souls of those who do not share the secret,
Shamefully, the crowd cries out in the Colosseum,
Rises and lowers a thumb to encourage the execution.
 
As the poison is injected into an unknowing soul.
Again and Again. 
 
 
© 2019 Reflection by Michael Higgins, C.P.
© 2019 Poem and Photography by Michael J. Cunningham O.F.S.

 
About 8 years ago around this time of year, our daughter-in-law was hospitalized due to a medication reaction. My husband and son are both CPA’s and were working 7 days a week at that time. That day I was charged with looking after our 2 and ½ year old grandson, Mikey, and 8-month-old granddaughter, Cate. I will always remember the sheer panic I felt as my husband left for work that morning leaving me with our grandchildren for the next 8+ hours. While they were frequently at our house and I was well accustomed to their schedule, this was not what I had planned for my day to be sure!  
 
My week was set out before me with a task list for each day and suddenly I found myself moving from go, go to stop. I admit it took me a while to slow down internally, I used all the clichés and metaphors I could remember to convince myself that this work was my call for the day.  Meeting agendas, papers to be written, and email responses would need to be done on a different day. I told myself that this was my invitation from God to slow down, be present and receive the gift of each moment.  
 
Mikey was going through a Thomas the Tank phase, so I entered his world of Thomas and listened to his stories of what each character was doing. We ended up outside with sidewalk chalk drawing tracks and islands, and Mikey was enthralled with what we were creating together. I remember looking deeply into his eyes, feeling mesmerized by their clear, earnest and joyfully expression. It was then that I understood I was looking into the Imago Dei and joy filled my heart.  
 
Later that afternoon when both children were napping (and Grandma was sitting staring into space with a cup of coffee to bolster her during the rest of the evening), I realized that in forcing myself to be present to my life circumstances, I understood what St. Paul was encouraging his audience in his letter to the Philippians. “Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:9) I once read that we all want to find the Pearl of Great Price (Matt 13:45-46), but we’re not always willing to pay the price. We want it without putting the time in…. Putting in the time requires hard work and discipline and it doesn’t sound very exciting. How do you respond to the change of plans in your day? What has been your experience when you have been willing to allow that change? 
 
Lord,  
We mirror Your beauty 
For we are made for You 
We complete your universe 
 
May all we do 
May all we think 
Be a song of joy 
 
May we add our voices 
To the song of the monks 
In the quiet hours of night 
Who wait patiently for the dawn. 
 
Excerpts from A Prayer to Celebrate Life, The Hope Prayer, Fr. Liam Lawton. 
 

 
Reflection and Photograph © 2019 Jean Bowler