Cheryl and Fr. Martin share a laugh! Fitting since this was all Cheryl's idea anyway!! Looks like they had fun!NCCL Conference
Cheryl and Fr. Martin share a laugh! Fitting since this was all Cheryl's idea anyway!! Looks like they had fun!
Meeting 5/18
OK, I think we will never finish this book! I think part of the reason is that somewhere down deep, we may not want to. This book is a process and as such, as we read each part there seems to be things that speak to each one of us and as the book states, allows God to meet us where we are.
Yesterday found us missing two members...though one was on the other side of the door working. :) We had a very good discussion about Chapter 12, "What Should I Do?" In this chapter Fr. Martin addresses discernment. Discernment is the process that one follows to come to decisions using the spiritual tools of prayer and scripture or "listening" to God in the many ways that God communicates with us.
What should I do is a question that is often circling in the heads of those who are not actively receiving an income or someone who is trying to fulfill their role, (IE: mother, father, etc.) but wants to use their best judgement. It is a great question at the moment since two of us are stay at home moms, and one has been unemployed for a year...but it goes beyond the work situation. As addressed earlier in the book, it is hard to live in a society that values money and stature over values. For myself and I am sure Dawn, staying home with our children allows us to be of service in many other ways, and it allows me to write. It also allows us to alleviate some pressure on the household schedule. We want for nothing except perhaps quiet. All of our basic needs are provided and the things we live without, we can live without. For me, the ability to be present to my three daughters is what I need.
Another member of our group is healing from a hurt brought about by the last job she held. Perhaps God is giving her the time she needs to recharge her own batteries as she is a very dynamic individual. But in the meantime her experience and insights are valuable to us and she presents herself as a faithful servant of Christ each day...wherever that may take her.
For another, it is dealing with her grown children. How much support is too much support? She is completely reliant on God's presence in her life. For her, indifference is a very valuable tool as she watches her children try to fly on their own, at times a very emotional thing to witness.
In an attempt for all of us to be our "best selves" we are taking this book and this process slowly. It is funny how God draws us inward to hear him and then outward to see him in the support and the friendship that surrounds us.
Please share any experiences you wish on this blog. We will be listening.
Yesterday found us missing two members...though one was on the other side of the door working. :) We had a very good discussion about Chapter 12, "What Should I Do?" In this chapter Fr. Martin addresses discernment. Discernment is the process that one follows to come to decisions using the spiritual tools of prayer and scripture or "listening" to God in the many ways that God communicates with us.
What should I do is a question that is often circling in the heads of those who are not actively receiving an income or someone who is trying to fulfill their role, (IE: mother, father, etc.) but wants to use their best judgement. It is a great question at the moment since two of us are stay at home moms, and one has been unemployed for a year...but it goes beyond the work situation. As addressed earlier in the book, it is hard to live in a society that values money and stature over values. For myself and I am sure Dawn, staying home with our children allows us to be of service in many other ways, and it allows me to write. It also allows us to alleviate some pressure on the household schedule. We want for nothing except perhaps quiet. All of our basic needs are provided and the things we live without, we can live without. For me, the ability to be present to my three daughters is what I need.
Another member of our group is healing from a hurt brought about by the last job she held. Perhaps God is giving her the time she needs to recharge her own batteries as she is a very dynamic individual. But in the meantime her experience and insights are valuable to us and she presents herself as a faithful servant of Christ each day...wherever that may take her.
For another, it is dealing with her grown children. How much support is too much support? She is completely reliant on God's presence in her life. For her, indifference is a very valuable tool as she watches her children try to fly on their own, at times a very emotional thing to witness.
In an attempt for all of us to be our "best selves" we are taking this book and this process slowly. It is funny how God draws us inward to hear him and then outward to see him in the support and the friendship that surrounds us.
Please share any experiences you wish on this blog. We will be listening.
Article
I thought this article by James Martin SJ in the Catholic Digest would interest you.
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/religious_orders/2011/02-04/praying-with-the-jesuits
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/religious_orders/2011/02-04/praying-with-the-jesuits
Meeting 4/27 Notes
Our last meeting found us missing one, but we made our way through the 9th and 10th chapter. Great conversation as usual. We hope our friend is feeling better and will join us for the next meeting!
Chapter 9 spoke of chastity, celibacy and love. The many ways that we love each other. In our own little groups we cited many opportunities to love and to love chastely. We discussed the concept of celibacy and the idea that one cannot be fulfilled unless they are sexually expressive. Since our little group really can see the ability to love chastely we did not struggle with the idea, but we did really appreciate Fr. Martin's insights into the book. The ability of someone who is unencumbered by a specific committed relationship being able to love many others equally. The gift of support that friendships provide. In these discussions we are reminded that as we say no to one thing, we also say yes to another. As someone who has benefited by specifically Fr. Martin's facebook page, I can tell you, he is a much sought after person. I could not imagine that he would be able to reach so many people if he had a marriage and family. Again, God places you where you are.
Chapter 10 was expanding on the idea of friendship and love. We discussed how sometimes it is difficult to love freely and to not expect more, or at least an "in kind" reciprocation. But as Ignatius teaches, when we love freely we allow the other person to expand as they need to, we allow the friend ship and love to grow without the sense of possession. This is something that I have struggled with, but as with other things, maturity pushes it away.
"Beware of condemning any mans action. Consider your neighbors intention, which is often honest, and innocent, even though his act seems bad in outward appearance." -- St. Ignatius of Loyola
Consider the statement above, not always our first reaction but maybe something we can remind ourselves of and perhaps someday, internalize.
I look forward to meeting with everyone on Wednesday for chapters 11 and 12. Please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond!
Chapter 9 spoke of chastity, celibacy and love. The many ways that we love each other. In our own little groups we cited many opportunities to love and to love chastely. We discussed the concept of celibacy and the idea that one cannot be fulfilled unless they are sexually expressive. Since our little group really can see the ability to love chastely we did not struggle with the idea, but we did really appreciate Fr. Martin's insights into the book. The ability of someone who is unencumbered by a specific committed relationship being able to love many others equally. The gift of support that friendships provide. In these discussions we are reminded that as we say no to one thing, we also say yes to another. As someone who has benefited by specifically Fr. Martin's facebook page, I can tell you, he is a much sought after person. I could not imagine that he would be able to reach so many people if he had a marriage and family. Again, God places you where you are.
Chapter 10 was expanding on the idea of friendship and love. We discussed how sometimes it is difficult to love freely and to not expect more, or at least an "in kind" reciprocation. But as Ignatius teaches, when we love freely we allow the other person to expand as they need to, we allow the friend ship and love to grow without the sense of possession. This is something that I have struggled with, but as with other things, maturity pushes it away.
"Beware of condemning any mans action. Consider your neighbors intention, which is often honest, and innocent, even though his act seems bad in outward appearance." -- St. Ignatius of Loyola
Consider the statement above, not always our first reaction but maybe something we can remind ourselves of and perhaps someday, internalize.
I look forward to meeting with everyone on Wednesday for chapters 11 and 12. Please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond!
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