Christian Truth (What is Your Experience?)

Surfers, I have had delays in posting the blog, while dealing with cancer and now unemployment. During this time I have been reading. In this blog I would like to present to you a model that presented itself to me during this time. Take time to look at the model.

Here is how the model works; the concept of infinity in mathematics is something we can only approach, but never reach. As with infinity, the extremes of religious experience can only be approached and never reached. Another example is the concepts of introverted and extroverted personality. No person is completely introverted or extroverted, but every person has a tendency to one or the other. Leaning to one side of the scale means you are more or less extroverted, and leaning to one side of the scale on religious experience means you are more or less traditional.

If I haven’t completely lost you, or bored you, you deserve a medal for your patience.

In order to find yourself on the scale you need to review the focus statements under the line on both sides. All the focus statements are religious experiences recognized by Christians. As you read the statements you will find that not all of them feel true to your religious experience. You may find that focus statements from both lists speak to your religious experience. You may find that you relate more to the traditional focus statements. There are no hard and fast rules, or right and wrong feelings. Your experience is true to you, and defined by you. You are always right about you.

Okay, surfers, have a look at this blog by Sara Dode and feel the religious experience being expressed. Perhaps you feel the same way? Perhaps you feel differently? The place on the scale that Sara Dode currently resides might lean closer to mysticism than you.

Take a look at the blog post by sabinspirations and feel the religious experience being expressed here. Maybe this is closer to your experience? Where on the scale might sabinspirations fall in comparison to you?

The model is not designed to judge others and their place on the scale. I created it to help you find where you fit. I added the Christian Apologetics identifier to the model so that you might have some sort of familiar reference. Review the model, and tell your friends.

If you are having trouble reading the focus statements I will list them here below:

Approaching Mysticism
God is the Ground of all Being
God is the Source of your Being
God Means Depth
Focus on what takes place outside the consecrated building
Focus on the common / daily life
Meeting the “Holy” in the common
Meeting Christ in the common / secular
Christians are defined by participation in the suffering of God in the life of the world
Focus on stripping away the religiosity that sets apart the sanctuary from society

Approaching Traditionalism
God is a Being
Above and Beyond this World
Alongside & Over His Creation
Focus on what takes place within the consecrated building
Focus on holy / religious practice
Holy Communion is an individualistic practice withdrawn from the world
“Holy” is not common, but comes from the sanctuary
Focus on meeting Christ in worship retired from the secular world
Christians are defined by their religious acts
Focus on reinforcing the religiosity that sets apart the sanctuary from society

Prayer

Do you pray?

What is prayer?

How do you do it?

Why do you do it?

Looking at prayer can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Surf over to Beauty80’s blog and you will see prayer can be anything you would like it to be.

Do you feel that prayer can be anything?

The Catholic leadership provide guides for prayer.

Is it helpful to have a guide?

If you try to define prayer it always seems like a verb. specifically the verb “to communicate.”

Prayer is the act of attempting to communicate with a deity or spirit.

A practice of communicating with one’s God.

So if prayer is an action word meaning to communicate, it implies something is happening between two parties. Communication 101 says there has to be a sender and a receiver. Communication also implies a two way activity. If you are going to be a sender, doesn’t that also mean you are responsible to be a receiver also? This is two halves to a whole prayer. Simple math.

The question now becomes; do you send out your communication (prayers)? same question worded a bit differently.

Oh, and do you receive communication back? Hmmm…

Paternal Benevolence Needed at St. Mary’s (Please)

Th Holy Spirit has been troubling me regarding events unfolding in 2009 at St. Mary’s in South Brisbane, Australia. I don’t mean to bore you, surfers, but clearly the Catholic Magisterium should be encouraged to rethink recent actions. I would point everybody to an article by ABC.net.au or one by the Australian News and bring you up to date on recent activities.

John Bathersby is the Bishop responsible for guiding the South Brisbane community and must ask for guidance from the same Holy Spirit who troubles me. If Bishop Bathersby understands the teachings of Pope John Paul II he will know that it is his responsibility to lead the St. Mary’s congregation. I would encourage the Bishop to be Christ to the St. Mary’s congregation.

The Church of God is called by Christ to manifest to a world ensnared by its sins and evil designs that, despite everything, God in his mercy can convert hearts to unity and enable them to enter into communion with him.

94. This service of unity, rooted in the action of divine mercy, is entrusted within the College of Bishops to one among those who have received from the Spirit the task, not of exercising power over the people—as the rulers of the Gentiles and their great men do (cf. Mt 20:25; Mk 10:42)—but of leading them towards peaceful pastures.

Ut Unum Sint (That All Be One)

Bishop Bathersby was quoted as saying “To deny Jesus was (the) Son of God is to absolutely destroy the Christian faith,” This clearly shows the Bishop is on his heels, and is striking out instead of leading. To Bishop John Bathersby; I am praying for you.

The Catholic Church leadership also seems to have a seemingly hypocritical approach when dealing with groups identified as lacking full communion. In a decision by Pope Benedict to lift the excommunication from the Lefebvre Bishops he himself cited the following reasons.

“I have undertaken this act of paternal benevolence because those same bishops have repeatedly expressed to me their profound suffering at the situation in which they found themselves.

“I hope that this gesture of mine will be followed by a prompt commitment on their part to take the further steps necessary to achieve full communion with the Church, thus showing true faithfulness to, and true recognition of, the Magisterium and authority of the Pope and of Vatican Council II”.

Pope Benedict XVI

Clearly Father Peter Kennedy has expressed his profound suffering in many interviews. He has been known to break down in tears during interviews because of this matter. If the Pope can can find it in his heart to offer paternal benevolence for a group deemed to be outside of the Churches orthodoxy, then Bishop Bathersby has two Popes guiding his path. One with the words of an encyclical, and one by his most recent actions.

Dear Bishop, do the Christian act and remove the pall of excommunication from Father Peter Kennedy. We are all one body in Christ.

Msgr. Joseph M. Champlin – Saint

I would like to introduce you, surfers, to a leader in empowerment. It has been a year since he passed from this world, but I was late discovering him. I think you will like what he had to say, and what he stood for. The person I speak of is Msgr. Joseph M. Champlin.

Like many maligned Church leaders, his praises are sung in the rear facing diatribes of those who would have him silenced.

Msgr. Joseph M. Champlin, a widely published author, exchanged pulpits with a local rabbi two years ago, preaching in the synagogue, while the rabbi spoke at a Sunday Mass. This was a first for both their 150-year-old congregations. Last year, Msgr. Champlin invited Dr. Anis Obeid, raised as a Druze Muslim, to describe the basic articles of that religion at a Sunday Mass at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Syracuse, New York, where the author is rector. Those exchanges and the tragedy of September 11 led to this article.

http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Apr2002/Feature2.asp

His praises are also sung by those who knew him, and his work.

Just for your review, have a look at Michael McGough’s recent op-ed. If you have a comment about Msgr. Champlin or Michael’s piece, feel free to leave it here.

St. Mary’s South Brisbane Fight The Good Fight

Surfers, I have a new issue for your review. I submit for your perusal the woeful story of St. Mary’s in South Brisbane, Australia. What, you haven’t heard of the St. Mary’s debacle? Tap this link for a short review of the trouble.

So we have a popular and growing Catholic Parrish with an inspiring and vibrant leader, but the Archbishop of Brisbane excommunicated the whole lot of them. It would seem that the Catholic hierarchy would be pleased with the growing faithful, not to mention the growing tithes, but they are not. Can you say “remove shoe and shoot foot?”

While I was researching the St. Mary’s business I came across a wonderful blog by CaseyR discussing what matters in growing a Church congregation. While you are visiting CaseyR’s blog leave a word of encouragement.

So if consistency makes the difference, what side of this struggle has the corner on consistency? The Archbishop has a mixed bag of consistency on his side, thanks to Vatican II. St. Mary’s has a mixed bag of consistency on their side with the adoption of new rituals. Should the Archbishop back off? Should St. Mary’s conform to Catholic norms?

I would love to hear what you have to say about this struggle. The future of Christianity starts here.

What Makes You Christian?

Does being born to a family that identifies itself as Christian make you a Christian? Does initiation into a Christian faith community, as with baptism, define you as a Christian? What if you just were born in the USA and felt you were Christian? Does that define you as a Christian?

What I want to know is, who gets to decide who is defined as Christian? Who gave those deciders the authority to make that decision? To help us make some sense of this, have a look at a blog by Jazimomo regarding religious polling. Did this help you out? When all those 88% answered the question and said; “yes, I am Christian,” the majority did not feel that regular attendance at a formal Church service was a requirement of being Christian. It seems that going to a Church service is optional, but you can still define yourself as a Christian. Perhaps in the future Christians will redefine what a Church service is. With the internet, Church service can be expanded to include a video on You Tube?In this way regular attendance might increase in the future?

Perhaps you feel like the Consider Jesus bloggers, and focus more on actions rather than social identification. This way you can use Christian scripture to define who is Christian? Was this helpful in understanding what defines a person as Christian? I have the feeling those folks who don’t go to a Church service regularly have sparse knowledge of Christian scriptures, but still feel that they are Christian.

What if all that mattered was that you wanted to tell others that you are Christian. You defined yourself as Christian. You gave yourself the authority. Would that be acceptable? Why not?

Car Park Without White Lines?

I don’t want to bore you, surfers, but I have been on a bit of a Dr. McNab watch, just to see what kicks up in the wake of the New Faith announcement in Melbourne. Wander over to The Scots’ Church page regarding the Ten Commandments.

Close your eyes and picture the chaos: a world where children are taught to disrespect their parents, where you could not trust human relationship because commitments were taken lightly and lies were commonplace, where life was viewed as frivolous and expendable and your property could be taken from you on the whim of a neighbour with impunity.
The Scots’ Church – Melbourne

Sounds absolutely ghastly. The good folks at The Scots’ Church would have you believe that it is only because of the 10 C’s that we act morally. They surmise that if Dr. McNab has his way we would all sink into immoral behavior and debauchery. I ask you, dear surfer, does this sound like a logical argument? I will take that up one more level and ask you; is that the best argument that The Scots’ Church can muster? They went just a bit too apocalyptic, in my opinion.

Now, don’t take my word for it. Perhaps Dr. McNab is taking a page from the book of Chris Pridham? Surf over to his blog and read his thoughts. While you are there you can leave a message of encourgement.

Should Dr. McNab be considered a heretic, or just a man practicing Christian civil disobedience? Is doing something better than doing nothing, even if the something is to challenge the religious authority? Surfers, you must decide for yourself. In the future Christians will look back at these events and laugh, but will they be laughing at Dr. McNab or The Scots’ Church? Time will tell.

New Faith Dr. McNab Style

Surfers, there is a faith community you may want to check out. By their own admission: “Under the Executive Minister, Dr Francis Macnab, the large congregation has adopted a liberal and progressive theology that sits on the forefront of radical thought.” Within their Web site they have videos where they outline their radical thoughts. There is a ten point charter, that outlines their position. The videos explain the ten new commandments, and the positive new faith.

The old faith has no interest or grip for many people. In fact, the old faith, for so many people, has become like a very old person. Gone very grey and faded so much that you hardly believe he or she to be the person they once were.
Dr. Francis McNab

Have a look. Examine their words and actions. Decide for yourself; is this the future of Christianity? Can you see faith moving in the direction identified by Dr. McNab? Is this radical thought? Is Dr. McNab a heretic? Does Dr. McNab go far enough to bring the change needed for the future?

If anything, Dr. McNab is an interesting fellow. His concepts are not moved into lightly. He has taken a lot of criticism, for his beliefs. He has something to teach us, so what will you take away from the teachings of Dr. McNab?

Flash: God Found In Mundane And Banal

Surfers, I would like to talk to you about a blog I recently came across called Moments Of Glory. The blogger was concerned that his recent postings did not have that inspired zip he is looking for. He claimed to be in a pattern of life where there was only the “status quo” and this was somehow acceptable, but undesired. Do you ever feel like this blogger? Do you lament the fact that those moments of glory are too few and far apart? Is the mean time to moments of glory becoming a longer span?

I could go on, and on, but I am sure you are already looking for the exits. Stay with me on this one. Have you ever heard the term; everything’s relative? No, this is not making some reference to that Uncle everybody has in their family, but nobody wants to talk about him. No, this is about you and what you call a moment of glory. Perhaps just waking up in the morning is a moment of glory for you? It is all relative. I know getting your husband to put down the toilet seat can approach that moment of glory state, hmm?

If you are looking for that moment of glory where the choir can be heard singing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” then you may have some waiting to do.

Ah! You are searching for God, the idea of God in his essential being. You seek perfection and it lies in everything that happens to you – your suffering, your actions, your impulses are the mysteries under which God reveals himself to you.
Jean-Pierre de Caussade

Surfers, if everything you do reveals God, then you don’t need to wait. When you feel that you are in a pattern of life where you are just supporting the status quo, God is revealing himself to you in that pattern. I am not trying to tell you how to feel, or what to think, but you don’t have to wait for God’s inspiration. Think about it. When you make apple pies, God is there. How can you find God in the mundane activities of life? This is our task at hand. This is the God of the present moment.

Dear blogger, if you would allow me to say, all those postings that you made, and still feel didn’t meet your expectations, are full of God’s grace. God was using you to reach others in each and everyone of those. Keep up the good work, even if it is just status quo. God is in there.

Give the Present Moment a Try

Surfers, perhaps you have felt the way that thomassays is feeling right now? You keep hoping to receive the voice of God, and trying in many different ways, like flipping through the TV channels looking for God’s public service announcements. Tell me, surfers, have you tried tin foil on the rabbit ears?

Okay, I deserved that audible groan.

Perhaps you have felt the way Street Ministry is feeling right now? You don’t feel like getting out and mixing with others. But you do, then you look back and see how the Holy Spirit provided for you moment by moment.

Now, here is a blog by Bryanniland that might offer more information about how to discern your daily direction.

Dear surfers, here are three examples of regular people managing their daily relationships with God and others. In the past I have tried to bring you examples from the greatest spiritual directors I know, but listening to me can be boring. Who am I? Here in this blog we have spiritual directors by strength in numbers. Others might overlook the teachings. Don’t take my word for it. Let me remind you of the teachings greatest spiritual director I know:

Those who have abandoned themselves to God always lead mysterious lives and receive from him exceptional and miraculous gifts by means of the most ordinary, natural and chance experiences in which there appears to be nothing unusual. The simplest sermon, the most banal conversations, the least erudite books become the source of knowledge and wisdom to these souls by virtue of God’s purpose. This is why they carefully pick up the crumbs which clever minds tread under foot, for to them everything is precious and a source of enrichment. They exist in a state of total impartiality, neglecting nothing, respecting and making use of everything.
Jean-Pierre de Caussade

Surfers, visit the blogs I linked you to. Read them over looking for what others might overlook. Allow the Holy Spirit to move you. If you feel like it, leave a message of encouragement. The greatest spiritual direction may not be the sole property of those wonderful philosophers. I think you can do fine yourself.