Faith II
At the outset, let me say that I am no expert on the distinction between religion and spirituality. I have written before on this conundrum as being the central theme of my spiritual quest. I have read, meditated, prayed on the issue of my own faith and, not unimportant, the evidence of faith in my significant others.
As Catholics, we were taught that only those who practiced our faith would get to heaven. As Sandra, I have met so many truly spiritual people throughout my life, all people I am certain I will see in my heaven. Thus, my quest to find the true meaning of religion has led me to dig deeper into my own spirituality and to observe that divine grace in others.
I believe my favorite Oblate priest, of whom I've written you before, said that Religion is based on cultural differences, on language differences, seeking as it were to set apart one sect from the other. Spirituality, on the other hand, is the acceptance of everyone and everything around us as divine...the knowledge that everything is sacred and deserves our respect and our mindful behavior. We were taught to pray always to God, to ask for this or that, to beg forgiveness to God. Would that we had been taught to say 'I'm sorry' to the trees we strip off the land, to the defenseless animals we brutally murder thinking that we somehow are superior, to the life-giving water we so capriciously waste...spending our lives in awe and praise rather than in supplication as if we had the capacity to know what is indeed good or right for ourselves.
You, my dear friend, I believe are on an incredible spiritual journey given the chances you have for quiet reflection, for rejoicing in the joy and magnitude of our very existence and the existence of all around us. Stripped of all the unnecessary trappings of 'the good life' in the 'unreal' world you are able to hear what the Spirit has to say to you. That is the key. Quietude and listening. I am so thankful you have this space and time in your life journey. What an incredible opportunity to grow your faith. Continue to take time to yourself in spite of what you perceive as your obligations. Seek quiet, solitude, rest and relaxation. It is the doorway to your spiritual path.
Rene, that priest again, always taught by telling stories. Allow me the time to share the one that provoked this morning's musings. It is of a talk with one of his indigenous friends about her belief...
[Rose Mary and I were in a talkative mood, and we had covered many topics already when she declared, “I don't believe in God.”
I was curious. “What do you believe in?”
She stretched and waved her arms.
“I believe in the mystery of the stars and in the depth of the oceans. I believe in respecting nature and using its resources wisely, and in caring for everything I touch.”
She smiled.
“I believe in silence, rhythm, music and colors, the small pebbles, the majestic mountain, the graceful butterfly, the majestic tree, and the life I gave my two children.”
Her eyes sparkled: "I believe in the dignity of each person, in their intelligence and creative spirit. I believe in respect for anyone's choices, solidarity and freedom for all people."'
She was nearly singing.
"I believe that each person must fight alienation, strive towards fullness in life and destruction of all injustices, and the creation of a more humane world."
She stood up and was ready to dance.
“I believe in love, the lively children, the committed couples, the wise elders. I believe in the soft skin of my baby and the wrinkles of my grandparents. I see myself in all and all in me.”
And then she whispered,
“But I don't believe in God.”
Had I been there, I would hope she would then have asked me, "Now tell me what you believe? I would have replied, "I believe in God, my God, our Father. He's your Father too. And he sent his only Son to earth to suffer and die for us so that we may have life eternal. I believe that all those things you believe in are only possible through him. I believe your life on earth will be complete once you come to know and believe in Him."
As Catholics, we were taught that only those who practiced our faith would get to heaven. As Sandra, I have met so many truly spiritual people throughout my life, all people I am certain I will see in my heaven. Thus, my quest to find the true meaning of religion has led me to dig deeper into my own spirituality and to observe that divine grace in others.
I believe my favorite Oblate priest, of whom I've written you before, said that Religion is based on cultural differences, on language differences, seeking as it were to set apart one sect from the other. Spirituality, on the other hand, is the acceptance of everyone and everything around us as divine...the knowledge that everything is sacred and deserves our respect and our mindful behavior. We were taught to pray always to God, to ask for this or that, to beg forgiveness to God. Would that we had been taught to say 'I'm sorry' to the trees we strip off the land, to the defenseless animals we brutally murder thinking that we somehow are superior, to the life-giving water we so capriciously waste...spending our lives in awe and praise rather than in supplication as if we had the capacity to know what is indeed good or right for ourselves.
You, my dear friend, I believe are on an incredible spiritual journey given the chances you have for quiet reflection, for rejoicing in the joy and magnitude of our very existence and the existence of all around us. Stripped of all the unnecessary trappings of 'the good life' in the 'unreal' world you are able to hear what the Spirit has to say to you. That is the key. Quietude and listening. I am so thankful you have this space and time in your life journey. What an incredible opportunity to grow your faith. Continue to take time to yourself in spite of what you perceive as your obligations. Seek quiet, solitude, rest and relaxation. It is the doorway to your spiritual path.
Rene, that priest again, always taught by telling stories. Allow me the time to share the one that provoked this morning's musings. It is of a talk with one of his indigenous friends about her belief...
[Rose Mary and I were in a talkative mood, and we had covered many topics already when she declared, “I don't believe in God.”
I was curious. “What do you believe in?”
She stretched and waved her arms.
“I believe in the mystery of the stars and in the depth of the oceans. I believe in respecting nature and using its resources wisely, and in caring for everything I touch.”
She smiled.
“I believe in silence, rhythm, music and colors, the small pebbles, the majestic mountain, the graceful butterfly, the majestic tree, and the life I gave my two children.”
Her eyes sparkled: "I believe in the dignity of each person, in their intelligence and creative spirit. I believe in respect for anyone's choices, solidarity and freedom for all people."'
She was nearly singing.
"I believe that each person must fight alienation, strive towards fullness in life and destruction of all injustices, and the creation of a more humane world."
She stood up and was ready to dance.
“I believe in love, the lively children, the committed couples, the wise elders. I believe in the soft skin of my baby and the wrinkles of my grandparents. I see myself in all and all in me.”
And then she whispered,
“But I don't believe in God.”
Had I been there, I would hope she would then have asked me, "Now tell me what you believe? I would have replied, "I believe in God, my God, our Father. He's your Father too. And he sent his only Son to earth to suffer and die for us so that we may have life eternal. I believe that all those things you believe in are only possible through him. I believe your life on earth will be complete once you come to know and believe in Him."
posted by Angelfish at 10:29 AM
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