In the Spirit

It’s been a power-packed weekend – filled with activity and much to digest intellectually and spiritually. I attended a two-day seminar on God by Jesuit Adrian Danker who teaches philosophy of religion at Ateneo University in the Philippines. We explored encountering God on the vertical as well as the horizontal axis and locating the point of intersection. I was bombarded with new concepts, novel approaches and perspectives to life. And yet, within the densely rich material, many of my inner convictions were confirmed and affirmed… and I arrived at the conclusion that there is so MUCH MORE to learn.

What an a-ha moment for my fried brain cells. How am I supposed to absorb all this and apply it to life in a way that is coherent to both myself and those around me?

A question. Excellent.

I learned that questions are good for they force us to step back and reflect. Reconstruct and re-frame our understanding of the world around us and what God means in our worlds, our lives. Engage in what St. Anselm calls a faith-seeking understanding, instead of accepting “truths” blindly. In this way, we learn to be open, to listen and recognize the goodness that is in each person around us, while remaining true to our moral compass, retaining the integrity within a constantly evolving individual identity.

Especially appealing was Paul Ricoeur’s first and second naivete. The first naivete is falling in love the first time. The sun shines brighter and bird song sounds sweeter. However, over time, and with familiarity, we become jaded. Rather than choose the downhill slide into boredom or apathy, we can choose to step back and look at things in a new light. Second naivete occurs when we fall in love again with the same person.

This typifies my relationship with the Trinity. I fall in love again each time I step back and reflect, only to discover some fascinating new facet of our relationship. I marvel at how little I know the more I know. I pray I will never lose the mysterium tremendum fascinosum*, mystery awe fascination, that is present in every encounter with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

After feeding the mind, it was time to feed the spirit. So off to the Pentecost rally at Holy Spirit Church where I encountered Fr. Robert Faricy, yet another Jesuit, who has been active in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal since the early days. What a spirited and spirit-full evening. I could almost imagine myself in the upper room with the apostles as tongues of fire appeared on the tops of every head present.

While my human vision will always be flawed, my understanding limited, I can count on the infinite wisdom, and love, of the Spirit to guide me through life.

*Rudolf Otto’s description of a religious encounter with the Holy.

Mother's Day

Bleeding Heart or Mary's Heart

The month of May has been designated the Marian month by Pope Benedict XVI as Mary is the “Mother who accompanies the community of disciples united in prayer in expectation of the Holy Spirit”. It is fitting for Pentecost falls within May this year, as does Mother’s Day which is the second Sunday of May.

When I look at my mother, I see a lot of what I imagine Mother Mary to be like: faithful, patient, courageous, persevering, gentle, compassionate and full of deep inner strength. Both are women I love dearly and seek to emulate for they represent the full-blown maturity of womanhood, a maturity refined by suffering and steeped in wisdom. Undefeated by darkness, they exude a luminous joy that touches all who come into contact with them.

Mum just underwent her second cataract operation last week. I am glad things went smoothly and she is recovering nicely. As she is 74, I was a little apprehensive on the day of the operation and had activated an international prayer network. (Thanks to all who prayed for the success of the operation. Much appreciated.)

Any visit to the hospital reminds me of the fragility of life. And I am increasingly mindful of the time that we have left together and know how blessed I am to have her as my constant companion. Eating, laughing, talking, living together in harmony, we bear witness to each other’s joys and struggles in the humdrum rhythm of days measured out in talk shows and K-dramas. Likewise, Mother Mary accompanies me as I traverse the peaks and valleys. I draw inspiration from her fiat*, especially when I hit a dark and torturous valley.

So do I need a day specially set aside to thank them for who they are and what they have brought to my life? No. Instead, I thank them every day, in numerous small ways, by reflecting the love and joy of the Lord I see shining in their eyes.

 

 

* "I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to Thy word." Luke 1:38

Contemplation Ignatian

A crowd of people gathered two Sundays ago at St. Teresa's to begin a week of guided prayer. The taster afternoon took those who sacrificed their Sunday afternoon naps (namely me) through two common methods of praying with Scripture: lectio divina* and Ignatian comtemplation**. While I am somewhat familiar with lectio, I have not really practised Ignatian contemplation much, so I was quite keen to try.

Plus, the week would help get me back on track with a more structured prayer time.

Consequently, I met with my personal prayer guide Peter*** who helped facilitate and direct my efforts at our daily meetings. I was literally blown away by how powerful Ignatian contemplation could be.

By giving the Lord time and space to enter my life this way, His presence took on an extraordinary dimension of reality. I could feel the warm tenderness of His love, witness the power of His actions, hear the healing tones of His voice, inhale the sweetness of life’s sufferings and taste the joy of communion. The answers I was seeking gained ineffable clarity. The hurts I was experiencing evaporated like smoke. The unrest in my heart transposed into a sense of deep, inner peace.

The week ended with a closing last Saturday afternoon and I am inspired to incorporate the Ignatian way into my prayer time from now on. My other take-away from the week of guided prayer is the importance of staying close to Him through prayer. Giving us, JC and myself, the opportunity to engage in deep, meaningful conversations. Such a simple formula for peace of mind and a true sense of self. One I must make effort to remember and put into practice. As St. Paul reminded the Colossians:

"…continue faithful on a sure and firm foundation and do not allow yourself to be shaken from the hope you gained when you heard the gospel…”

* Lectio divina means sacred reading and is a four-step method of praying Scripture where you read (lectio), reflect (meditatio), respond (oratio) and rest (contemplatio) in the Word of God to discern why and how a particular passage of Scripture is pertinent to your life and to call forth a response from you.

** Practised by St. Ignatius of Loyola, this form of contemplative prayer engages all five senses as you situate yourself in the presence of God in the passage and use your imagination to make the scene come alive and real during the allotted time of prayer.

*** Peter is part of Sojourners’ Companions, a group of men and women who will journey with pilgrims on a week of guided prayer. For more on them: www.catholic.org.sg/sojourners