Ruminations of an Irascible Hermit.: July 2021

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

People of hope

There’s a lot going on in the world, the Church, and in our day to day lives that affect us all. It’s hard to remember to take time to stop, breathe and remember God is in control.

As Christians, though our baptism and faith we have a source of joy and peace. Peace that the world cannot give, only Jesus can. We also have the power of the Hooy Spirit in our lives - we don’t always see him or feel him, but he works in the background quietly, shaping and moulding us, then from time to time manifesting powerfully when needed.

We are people of Hope. When all feels dark and lost, we need to hold on tight to the hope that we have in Jesus and his promises to us.

May the Holy Spirit rekindle in you today the joy and hope to help strengthen you in your journey.

Sunday, July 11, 2021

Hermits as pillars of history

I came across this quote, and thought how beautifully it expresses the spirituality and charism of hermits.

So often people are curious as to our horarium and expect us to have strict monastic disciplines but for the eremetic life, there is an aspect of interior and spiritual freedom. The freedom to be alone with the Alone in silence, solitude and contemplation. The freedom of being a Child of God and resting in his presence, without the need to feel compelled to justify our existence by activism.

Hermits embrace asceticism under the direction of our spiritual director and Rule of Life, while at the same time recognising the need for flexibility and freedom in all that we do - so long as it is always motivated by love of God & intimate union with Him

Saturday, July 10, 2021

The Church as the Ark of Salvation

I love this comparison of St Augustine, following the typology in letter of St Peter (1 Peter 3:20-21). Through our baptism we now belong on the Ark of Salvation and are being prepared for the new creation.

There’s is an old custom of thanking God everyday for “the grace of being a Christian” and I think this is something we need to recover. I know my anniversary of baptism is coming up in 4 days.

Do any of you ever stop to thank God for the gift of your baptism and the graces, as well as relationship and identity that comes from it?

Friday, July 9, 2021

Jesus I love you - His refreshing Presence

After a long day feeling a bit stressed at work, I was able to spend some time in a friend’s private chapel. I just laid down, face first on the floor breathing deep and repeating “Jesus I love you, Lord have mercy on me a sinner”. Giving him all my burdens , stress, weaknesses and sins I’ve been struggling with this week.

It felt so good just to lay there and be in his Presence, especially as Mass was cancelled last Sunday due to Covid restrictions. Laying in His Presence was so refreshing for my soul, sometimes that is all we need - just to breathe, rest in His Presence and tell Him we love Him.

Disclaimer

Please note. I am a Catholic layman, not a qualified theologian or philosopher. What I say and write here are my own personal thoughts and ideas, although I always try to conform my writings to the Magisterium of the Church.

I- with firm faith believe and profess everything that is contained in the symbol of faith: namely,

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: By the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. I believe in the one holy catholic and apostolic church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

With firm faith I believe as well everything contained in God's word, written or handed down in tradition and proposed by the church--whether in solemn judgment or in the ordinary and universal Magisterium--as divinely revealed and called for faith.

I also firmly accept and hold each and every thing that is proposed by that same church definitively with regard to teaching concerning faith or morals.

What is more, I adhere with religious submission of will and intellect to the teachings which either the Roman pontiff or the college of bishops enunciate when they exercise the authentic Magisterium even if they proclaim those teachings in an act that is not definitive.