Unfortunately far too many of us as Clergy are shirking our responsibilities and prefer to "shelter" under traditions and 'comfortable' practices. It is time that we stop filling leadership gaps and begin SERVING!
Unrolling the prayer rug outside the front door. My Sufi friend sat on her rug on the little deck of her apartment early each morning to chant and pray aloud. After a week or so, she apologized to neighbors for the noise so early. All of them said they loved it and had begun to rise early to hear it.
Thank you for the poem and your reflection on change in church and religion, helping me struggle to seeing through non-duality. Without it I would have been bereft.
There is a wonder, very brief bit of dialog at the end of the movie "The Mission" (1986). The representative of Portugal (I think, it might be the rep from Spain) and the Cardinal representing the Vatican are talking about the European political situation and how it led to the slaughter of dozens upon dozens of indigenous Guaraní.
The rep from Portugal says something waving off the slaughter, ending with "The world is thus."
The Cardinal says: "Thus have we made the world."
This seems very close to the two ways of understanding "It is what it is" that you've identified.
Thanks for these insights. Yes let's hope that through these times we may see more Prodigal Sons and Daughters returning to their Loving, Waiting Father. May the Holy Spirit guide us in new ways of acting in Justice and Love, especially towards those -poor and suffering in any way.
Appreciate your self-interrogatory instead of simply writing off the comment. We all need to remember to listen, pause and reflect. Where are we in all this? How can we respond as the Body of Christ in this moment of "what is-ness?"
Thank you for taking this phrase deep into the spiritual journey. Yes, Trump's words were harsh and unhelpful to anyone who heard them. Your words took me to the Serenity Prayer of the 12 Steps. There are things I can't change and then there are things I can change. Let us focus on the things we can change.
To echo Dora, “Thank you for this.” I have struggled to respond to those, including family, who suggest that I just accept what is. I needed your words today to help me voice my desire to help them see beyond the current reality to what we can be for each other in this!
Thank you for this. I've struggled with the concept of acceptance and gratitude (you're expertise) for more than a year. More recently, this week, as I joined a friend in committing to do Ignitian Daily Examen for 30 days. The gratitude and acceptance bit threw me for a loop, basically knocked me off my spiritual discipline horse. Your piece here helps, yet there is still a hiccup in my understanding of accepting 'it is what it is.' I hate the phrase. It negates resurrection hope. It raises up ire and fight within, "No! It can change." But, I guess it is the deepening of 'it is what it is,' the collected dust of our humanity looking out for one another in recognition that we all suffer, we all help, we all love and are loved, we all eat-sleep-pooh... Images of 9/11's aftermath and Beruit's explosion this week are the same, not just similar. People being people 19 years ago and this week: some suffering, some helping, some running, some exploiting, and all the rest. Acceptance, gratitude, justice... three concepts I struggle to understand and exercise. Thanks for sharing your work. It helps.
A great essay, hitting our need straight on.
Unfortunately far too many of us as Clergy are shirking our responsibilities and prefer to "shelter" under traditions and 'comfortable' practices. It is time that we stop filling leadership gaps and begin SERVING!
......Fr. Alric H. Francis, Sr.
Thank you! It's so beautiful...and terrifying at the same time.
Unrolling the prayer rug outside the front door. My Sufi friend sat on her rug on the little deck of her apartment early each morning to chant and pray aloud. After a week or so, she apologized to neighbors for the noise so early. All of them said they loved it and had begun to rise early to hear it.
Thank you for the poem and your reflection on change in church and religion, helping me struggle to seeing through non-duality. Without it I would have been bereft.
There is a wonder, very brief bit of dialog at the end of the movie "The Mission" (1986). The representative of Portugal (I think, it might be the rep from Spain) and the Cardinal representing the Vatican are talking about the European political situation and how it led to the slaughter of dozens upon dozens of indigenous Guaraní.
The rep from Portugal says something waving off the slaughter, ending with "The world is thus."
The Cardinal says: "Thus have we made the world."
This seems very close to the two ways of understanding "It is what it is" that you've identified.
Thanks for these insights. Yes let's hope that through these times we may see more Prodigal Sons and Daughters returning to their Loving, Waiting Father. May the Holy Spirit guide us in new ways of acting in Justice and Love, especially towards those -poor and suffering in any way.
May we devoutly pray the prayer of serenity.
Cass
Appreciate your self-interrogatory instead of simply writing off the comment. We all need to remember to listen, pause and reflect. Where are we in all this? How can we respond as the Body of Christ in this moment of "what is-ness?"
Very true and especially during these times. Let our reactions be guided by the showing God's love to everyone.
'Amen-yes indeed the Serenity Prayer.........
You opened my eyes. I have to remember to see beyond the obvious meaning.
t The three key words in your piece. AND THEN ACT!
Thank you for taking this phrase deep into the spiritual journey. Yes, Trump's words were harsh and unhelpful to anyone who heard them. Your words took me to the Serenity Prayer of the 12 Steps. There are things I can't change and then there are things I can change. Let us focus on the things we can change.
It is what it is. How can I help what is?
To echo Dora, “Thank you for this.” I have struggled to respond to those, including family, who suggest that I just accept what is. I needed your words today to help me voice my desire to help them see beyond the current reality to what we can be for each other in this!
Thank you for this. I've struggled with the concept of acceptance and gratitude (you're expertise) for more than a year. More recently, this week, as I joined a friend in committing to do Ignitian Daily Examen for 30 days. The gratitude and acceptance bit threw me for a loop, basically knocked me off my spiritual discipline horse. Your piece here helps, yet there is still a hiccup in my understanding of accepting 'it is what it is.' I hate the phrase. It negates resurrection hope. It raises up ire and fight within, "No! It can change." But, I guess it is the deepening of 'it is what it is,' the collected dust of our humanity looking out for one another in recognition that we all suffer, we all help, we all love and are loved, we all eat-sleep-pooh... Images of 9/11's aftermath and Beruit's explosion this week are the same, not just similar. People being people 19 years ago and this week: some suffering, some helping, some running, some exploiting, and all the rest. Acceptance, gratitude, justice... three concepts I struggle to understand and exercise. Thanks for sharing your work. It helps.