A Spiritual Break

Posted on August 23, 2024 by Michael J. Cunningham

“Hell and Damnation”

“Hell, and Damnation”

Last week I was at one of the local Bay Area Catholic Churches (Northern region of California) and received quite the surprise. The local Deacon was delivering the Gospel and associated homily. It was based on the importance of the Eucharist, which no one in the Catholic tradition would likely deny. Certainly, the sanctuary which was filled with worshipers would not push back on this observation. But then he started to get really into it. Within a short period, we were transported to a place of Hell and damnation theology where the importance of the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist were determined to be our only clear admittance to heaven.

After noting that only 17 percent of Catholics in the USA attend Mass weekly (the actual stat is 23 percent according to a recent Gallup poll), the Deacon then declared that only those receiving the Eucharist were going to gain admittance to heaven. (Not a great outcome for non-Catholics BTW). The implication was that only this small percentage was heading upwards, the rest elsewhere. I could feel the mood changing in the Church as he was speaking, even amongst these dedicated worshippers. After all, he was talking to the 17% he mentioned in the homily. I digress.

I felt like I had been transported back to my elementary school catechists (Irish nuns) of the 1960s, even those wonderful nuns were not spouting as rigorous or rigid a message as the one coming forthwith. This is the sort of message that causes others to consider whether they should be attending at all. The Deacon continued to mention the grave sin of missing Mass at all, and its consequences of leaving a soul in a state of serious sin, with dire consequences. The Deacon, then by now unceasing, was not just emphasizing the consequences of not receiving the Eucharist, but also then encouraged the congregation to communicate this message to encourage their family and friends who were not attending the service tonight. Fear and retribution are rarely a good method of evangelization; however, this was not just being proposed … but actively promoted.

Now, while you could say there were certain elements of Catholic teaching embedded in the content of this scary homily, it certainly could not be considered invitational to those who were either planning a return to the Catholic Church or those first visiting. This sounded like some of those outside the Church see the Catholic faith; that is judgmental, inflexible, and downright scary. This is not the Church that I know, not even the Church I grew up with. Those nuns from Ireland professed God’s love in their teaching, although sometimes sprinkled with corporal punishment for bad classroom behavior. 😉

Do we get to heaven by avoiding going to hell? Keeping us out of hell may be the good intentions of the Deacon, but I am not sure he is going to convince many in this process.
Perhaps it wasn’t just the Deacon I felt for after the Mass was concluded that day. (BTW he did interject after the blessing and make a clarification he was only talking about people who could make it to Church, and not those who were ill or unable to travel). So perhaps he realized himself that he had gone too far.

Those I felt sorry for were those who were to take his message home. How were they feeling? Should they recite it perfectly to their family, friends, and neighbors and perhaps risk further estrangement?

I know the Deacon’s heart is a good one, but how can we expect others to flock toward us when a message relies on scaring someone? The message of Christ’s love for us is prevalent in all Catholic teaching. Why not lead with this, and those who find the love, beauty, and grace that the Eucharist encapsulates, may be joined by many more than the current 23% of those who participate.

For those of you reading this who are not of the Catholic faith, I can assure you this message is not the onramp that most of us use as an introduction to Christianity, particularly the Catholic variety.

As John Duns Scotus, a great Franciscan theologian once declared. “God is love, and Love is God”.

Posted on August 16, 2024August 16, 2024 by Michael J. Cunningham

Engage, Enrage and Divide … Repeat … Living in a judgmental world

Engage, Enrage then divide … Repeat … Living in a judgmental world

Do you ever wake in the morning and then just think the way I handled that was just too judgmental? Yes, I probably could have heard that person’s perspective a little longer, instead of reacting straight away. Why is it that some people just seem to set me off and then cause me to put them into a category that I am just waiting for others to join? Until, one day, there are just too many people in this category and maybe it’s me not them.

Today, when we are bombarded with messages from politicians, the media, and others try to get us engaged, enraged, and then divided neatly into activated piles of pre-judged characters or characteristics; this is how the world seems to operate. It’s an exhausting scene, where we are continually bombarded with the need to judge, or even worse, pre-judge others. Engage, enrage and divide!

Soon, we become walking zombies looking for like-minded groups who will join our clan of opinions; carefully wearing the same outfits so we can be easily identified by those we want to attract, and those we don’t. So, they don’t come near us. Threatening us with dialog, conversation or God forbid, understanding and compassion. No, I would rather engage, enrage, and divide!

OK, so I am exaggerating a little, but not by much. Many have come to understand our personal judgmentalism (yes, that’s a real word) as both a weapon and a part of our identity. But it’s not as simple as that. This exhaustion can cause, in extreme cases, us to reflect that we are being too judgmental, and the problem is me and not all the others. This self-reflection is, of course, a healthy practice. If we think we are being too judgmental about many things, our mind and thoughts will continue to reinforce our desire to “reject” others and our thinking about a particular group instantly leaps to “keep them out of my life” and my thoughts are overwhelmed by my dislikes. Dwelling on dislikes tends to create a personal wake (like a wave) for those around you. They become washed over by these predispositions and dislikes to the point that the forward water in our lives, (that is the part ahead of the wake), is going to be driven by the same thought process. While this strategy can cause us to find like-minded individuals who agree with us almost instantly, it reinforces behavior that is not helpful. We become divided quickly and semi-permanently from others. It is not where we want to be.

Our personal wake or spiritual footprint is left all over the place, rather like a muddy pair of boots after walking the farmyard. We are spreading our message about where we are coming from, but not in a good way.

So, what is the alternative? Well, the first point is to change the first word in the process here, engagement. As soon as we become engaged we can become activated, and then once activated we start moving along a process of engagement and a disposition of agreement with ourselves or others. This leads us to enragement, the second step. So, some interference is required during the engagement process. Instead of activation, we need to begin to listen, to reflect, to discern BEFORE we move to that rapid conclusion that this is a problem. Moving to dialog could even become a possibility. Humor intended.

Our current, and past of course, world affairs discourses are a perfect example of how this process works. Bringing others into the relevant tribe is the goal, but the method is often very unappealing and lacks any intention of dialog, listening or understanding before a conclusion is reached. The goal is to reach a conclusion as rapidly as possible with as few stops along the way. Then reinforce it to as many others as possible. It is not a pretty sight.

Perhaps the most important benefit from this reflection is the recognition that this is a situation that has become more prevalent because we are being encouraged to sidestep the peace-filling gifts of empathy, compassion and understanding before we get to use them. Engagement, in social media in particular, is designed to get to the next click, the next movement, the next step and keep the “eyeballs” and attention on the prize, whatever that prize is. A new product, an opinion, weight loss, better health. You name the prize.

These wonderful gifts are being deliberately removed from the table and replaced with simple, sometimes vilifying options for us to choose from. So, we move from the concept of research and discernment from a variety of viewpoints, to a deliberate and firm position which many others have already reached. You are now a part of that “club”. Without even realizing that a “club” has been used on you to get you to this place.

AI is yet another tool that can either help or hinder the engage, enrage and divide world we live in. It can be used for good, where AI will distill the results of a question, we may have into useful cliff notes to help us decide the next steps. Or it can be used to inform us of yet another conspiracy theory, depending on the information sources used to inform that Mr. or Ms. AI are distilling opinions and results for your consumption.

The antidote to all this madness is the principles of mindfulness and contemplation. Both practices rely on us collating and gathering information calmly and neutrally. A world where conclusions are far away from the starting gate. Then, as the information flows towards us, we become guided by this flow, picking the pathways through reflection and discernment, unrushed and unhurried by the need to be at the destination in a few microseconds.

Such is the practice in Centering Prayer, where our agendas and predefined expectations are left in the parking lot, and perhaps even, we have happily forgotten where we parked the car.

Here, we are left alone with God to guide us. To reach that place within where those noises are not heard or felt. Where we and the most beloved are just engaged with each other. Where we rest in each other without expectations.

I can see you

I can see you

Hiding that thing you want from me

That desire to tell me what to think

What to say

What to do

I can see you

A member of the clan that’s not me

I can see you

But an enemy in disguise

Pretending to know me by kind words

Hiding in sheep’s clothing

I can see you

I can see you

Your message is clear to me

You have taken God and painted him in your own colors

Without asking me first

What colors I like

I can see you

I can see you

The mask and show of yourself

The projection to the world

Of what you are trying to do

Of who you are trying to influence

I can see you

I can see you

But now you are infecting me

With your desire to control

So my desire is to reject

You and all your wares

I can see you,

But I can’t see me clearly anymore

Because I see you

Posted on August 9, 2024 by Michael J. Cunningham

THE SOUND OF SILENCE

The Sound of Silence (from God)

We frequently hear that silence is the language of God. This silence we speak of, of course, is often related to contemplative prayer, the silent variety in particular. Scripture tells us of the importance of this, and even the times when Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray. We can only assume this was also in silence.

Can you imagine just wandering off into the desert, leaving the broken vegetation and walking through the untended natural garden which it creates? There is something beautiful about us leaving our everyday worries and cares and heading out towards some sublime time with God. When this happens with deliberation, such as the time we spend on a retreat, we can enter into the relationship with all the creature comforts, hoping for a connection, some reassurance that God has not left or abandoned me.

Or course, our needy spirit is talking here. Or rather, our needy ego. Here we go again, demanding God’s presence, or some evidence that God loves me. Rather like the inner child who still speaks to us.

Today, I received a telephone call on “Whatsapp” it was a random call from my 3-year-old granddaughter in Singapore who just decided (over breakfast there) that she needed to speak to her “papa.” Phone at the ready, mom obliged, and I was able to take the call and watch her eat breakfast, show me her 3-day old birthday cake and get the “fix” she needed to reassure her I was well and hadn’t forgotten about her.

I certainly can relate this episode to my relationship with God. For sure, I want to hear from Him, telling me I am on the right track, some indication that He is present and ideally, a sign that He loves me.

Maybe the desire herein is really just the Holy Longing, which so many of our spiritual leaders over the years have spoken. The hunger and desire to belong to Him and Him to us. Perhaps that hunger, the presence of the desire for reassurance, should be enough.

However, the reality is when God is silent, then the chances are, things are well from a spiritual perspective. For when he is silent, He is with us.

He is with us always. Let us remember this “silent presence” which dwells deep within us this week; as we take a mental walk in the desert, just to be with Him in the silence.

Posted on August 2, 2024 by Michael J. Cunningham

Tall Stories About Trees

Tall Stories About Trees

I’ve just spent three days involved in a retreat entitled Retreat beneath the Trees. You might wonder in the state that has made the California Redwood its home, why would someone come to a retreat to talk about trees?

Well, it turns out that trees are pretty interesting. Not just for gardeners, who often use trees as the large punctuation points of their artwork. But also, arborists, who have made a study of trees. What are trees? Why do we need trees? What have trees ever done for us?

Many of these questions were answered over the course of the weekend. Many attending the retreat didn’t realize that one of the main functions of a tree is to take the poisonous carbon dioxide that fills our atmosphere and turn it into useful oxygen, which is our very breath of life. Recent studies have proven that trees, while not having a brain, or the ability to reason, know what to do when times are hard. They move liquids and nourishment to the parts of the tree that are in need, or have become damaged.

And trees through a combination of their root systems, and other means, communicate with each other. Warning each other of impending danger, and even creating chemical responses, preventing their nearby friend trees from catching some disease or fungi.

There is an intelligence within the tree, and amongst trees that we were only just beginning to understand. Or even scientifically recognize. Trees protect themselves by increasing the amount and thickness of bark so they can survive the most difficult fires. Some acorns and cones can keep their seeds safe for up to 20 years. Thereby ensuring the continuation of their species.

Trees provide an anti-pollution, anti-global warming, eco-friendly, atmosphere for all around them. And when I say atmosphere, I really mean atmosphere.

We all have our favorite trees, we all had many tree experiences, some perhaps from our childhood, others as we’ve traveled through life. They become a part of us that’s important.

Over the course of the weekend, part of our observations of trees, and their behaviors was to see how this ties into our own spiritual lives.

Of course, trees are a part of the wonder of creation. So, the more that we experience and feel being at one with nature, the more our spiritual depth and appreciation expand. Trees are not just a source of wood to do something with, but they also provide fruit, shelter, protection, and many other functions. Interestingly enough when they have provided all of those functions, they then offer themselves up. Offering themselves up to become the framework of someone’s home, the chairs we sit on, the furniture we eat off; and eventually mulch for our garden to nurture the new plants and trees. Sort of the ultimate giving back when you think about it.

Because the tree is not a thinking reasoning being as we are, we don’t think much about their sacrifice. They just are. Trees. Doing what trees do.

But what if I was to think, just for a moment, like a tree I would have to do some difficult things. Firstly, I would have to stop fidgeting, in fact, I would have to stop moving at all, I can wave a lot but I can’t relocate myself. I would have to be happy with where I am right now wherever I was planted and make the best of it.

Anytime I became ill or had a problem, someone Hacked Off my branches, I would not complain. Instead, I would redirect the necessary healing forces to reinforce that area until the wound grew over. And the area where I was wounded would become stronger than any other area on the tree. This not only offering protection but illustrates that wounding me will strengthen me. Something to think about from a spiritual perspective, if I wasn’t a tree.

And then if the weather is bad or the sun is too strong, I just close up my leaves, stay flexible and move with the wind, and right out the storm, or drought, or wind. And I wouldn’t complain. No matter how long it went on for.

And I would still look good and provide water and nourishment to my leaves and branches right till the very end. And at the very end, if it was to come, I wouldn’t complain. I’m just a tree. Doing what trees do.

So when I’m stressed I put all my energy into trying to fix, as best the tree can, whatever the problem is.

Finally, I can say as a tree, that I have no worries. That is because I have no ability to worry, I take it as it comes, and I can’t stress out because I do not have an advanced worrying brain to bother me. And yet the humans lying under me are talking about all their worries, as they eat their picnic, in the shade. The shade which is me. I am just a tree.

But today you need me. And that makes me feel real good.

Posted on July 26, 2024 by Michael J. Cunningham · 2 Comments

Gratitude

Gratitude

Over time, I have talked of hope being something not intended by its meaning. Another word that often gets used in a “false” sense in the world today is gratitude. Actually, that has probably been true over the centuries; people are good at appearing gratuitous with their gratitude but are often just hiding their feelings.

Gratitude is taught as important; giving thanks for the blessings, gifts and resources we receive from others. Sometimes this may be born out of politeness or an expectation of credit for doing so; in other cases, it may just be from the heart, as intended.

This short poem/reflection below talks to the theological gift of gratitude. It is a gift from God, even though we may feel we are “grateful” for the grace which provides the gift in the first place. Our disposition towards gratitude tells the whole story. It is about us getting thanks for what we do, or in giving the gift? No, it’s about doing the right thing anyway; God will thank us through an enriched relationship.

Abundance – Take Two

Gratitude

Gratitude is the gravy which comes before the end of the meal.

Smothering all our blessings,

Resealing them with the goodness that delivered them.

Particularly when we are not expecting,

Or deserving of them.

Gratitude is the ability to keep an open heart,

To be thankful, but in a real way,

Not with just a smile or handshake,

But with thanks given from inside, from the soul.

No holdback, no agenda, just thanksgiving.

Gratitude is not expecting thanks for your work or deeds,

For then our work is worthless in the eyes of God,

Merely done for glory,

Or some other purpose.

Gratitude is a rush of grace, delivered not expecting payment or reward.

Only then we feel gratitude,

Receive gratitude,

And then, like a mirror,

Grace is reflected in the face of the giver,

Who loves you for what you have done, and what you are.

So today, let us feel gratitude being here together,

As the Body of Christ,

Celebrating His gift of gratitude, as we give to each other,

And those in need of a retreat, solace, or just a kind, listening ear.

For it is in our outpouring we also receive.

The gift of gratitude, now being coddled and held within us all.

Let us leave this place grateful

Grateful for the sun rising,

For the heat in our homes,

The fresh tea on the stove,

And the love of God which dwells within.

Amen