markdohle

Temporary loss of hearing (Malchus the servant of the High Priest) “And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him” (Luke 22:50-51). Over the last three months I had some temporary diminishment in my ability to hear in my left ear. At first I did not notice because it was so gradual. However I did notice that when speaking on the phone I had to switch to my right ear. It turned out to be ear wax. When I went to the doctor’s office, very little sound was making it into my left ear. Though when I listened with both ears, I did not notice much of a change… I became acclimated to it. That is until the wax was cleared out. Don’t know why I get so much of it; I don’t put anything in my ear to pack it down. The Doctor told me that it happens to some people. So when I left the office I did notice that even with my right ear working, I was hearing much less before they cleaned me out, there was now a newness and freshness to the sounds around me. I can take hearing for granted, and when it slowly lessens I can easily take it as normal. For a time now, I have not taken my hearing for granted and am grateful for it. In the scene where Jesus was arrested, there is a drama that took place that may often be overlooked. It is about ‘Malchus’ the servant of the High Priest. He was with the group of men who came at night to arrest Jesus. Malchus most likely thought Jesus a rabble-rouser, since he ‘heard’ all that went on in the High Priest home and probably listened the stories that they related about Jesus. So he was a criminal and a danger to the safety of the nation of Israel. He was probably angry at Jesus and happy when they found him in the garden. He heard all about him, had no other source of information, and so he took it for granted that it was all true. Until… Yes, until indeed. In the confusion and anger on both sides of the divide, just after Jesus was betrayed by Judas who was one of his own, Peter being hotheaded took out his sword and cut off Malthus’s ear. It was probably hanging by some shreds of flesh. Without warning a flash of pain, blood and complete confusion for Malchus over what just happened to him; there was no way for him to prepare for such an event. He probably did not see the strike coming. Suddenly he was alone with his pain and fear. Back then infection killed many from any kind of a wound. Suddenly, perhaps time stopped for him, as the hand of Jesus came out and gently healed him. Perhaps Malchus saw into his eyes, the compassion and the love present in Jesus’ healing gesture. I would imagine that no one even noticed what happened to Malchus, but for Malchus the Universe flipped. They left; I would think he was left behind with this sudden turn of events in his life. I would think it was sort of like the experience of St. Paul, when he had as Saul his experience on the road to Damascus. From one moment to the next there was a transformation in understanding who Jesus was. So with Malchus, who had to deal with his healing, undeserved yet real none-the-less, on his own for who in his circle could he go to? Surely this was not the act of a rabble-rouser nor from one who was a threat to Israel? Like Malchus we hear all kinds of information, gossip and outright lies everyday, yet if we do not discern, we can fall into believing what is true, which is in fact not. How do we hear, how do we interpret what we hear? Our perspective comes from where we are rooted. Sometimes we are uprooted and planted somewhere else by God’s grace. This happens more than we know; people just do not talk about it. When God steps in and changes everything, it can be very difficult to explain to those who have not had that experience of God’s grace on such a profound level. A mystical experience where Jesus breaks through suddenly into ones life, or a dream, or perhaps a ‘Near Death Experience’ like Eben Alexander’s, that made him listen to life and its meaning on a different more profound level. Suddenly what was thought impossible or foolish became a reality, so concrete that all of Eben’s inner world was thrown up in the air and has still not completely landed. However in cases like this, Humpty Dumpty is actually put back together, but in a different more expanded way. Not often liked by everyone, for new and improved is not always easy to deal with. We have to learn to see and listen differently with them. If we cannot, it is our loss. I can think I am hearing but it can be a mere habit of being, blind, narrow and confining. Trapping me in a narrow way of seeing reality, not knowing I am backed into a corner. Both those who believe in God and those who do not, can easily fall into that trap that is seen as reality as we think we know it. As I age I am listening differently than when younger. I now know that I have few years left. Even if I live another 25 years, I will then be 90; they will pass by like a weekend. So yes I know I am approaching a new beginning we call death. What do I cling to now that I understand that I am very close to the cliff’s edge? I cling to what is important. Love of others, friendship, and yes to my relationship with a love that is Infinite and revealed to me in Christ Jesus. It also reveals to me the dignity of all those I meet. For did not Jesus reveal that how we treat and love others, or not, is in fact being done to Our Lord. All things pass, yet love is eternal. The greatest spiritual gift is ‘Love” as stated in the 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians. Yes I often fail, but I am not discouraged, for grace draws good out of my struggles. It is quite a journey, a common journey, for we are pilgrims after all. I do think that St. Paul and Malchus had an experience of grace that was not asked for but given. Perhaps all humans are given that 'Damascus experience' wherein they can respond. When reading the lives of people, that is what seems to happen, like a bolt out of the sky they experience something that once experienced does in fact 'flip their universe'.

What is the Catholic understanding of the biblical plan of salvation? Full Question I heard a radio preacher talk about the "biblical plan of salvation"--which, of course, he said the Catholic Church didn't obey. How does our Church understand the biblical plan of salvation? Answer The Church understands that we are all sinners in need of a savior (Rom 5:12-21). We are inheritors of original sin and all its consequences, and by actual sin we distance ourselves from God. We can't save ourselves, but we don't need to: Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sins. The Catholic Church teaches that salvation comes through Jesus alone (Acts 4:12), since he is the "one mediator between God and man" (1 Tm 2:5-6). The saving grace won by Jesus is offered as a free gift to us, accessible through repentance, faith, and baptism. We turn away from our sins, we are sorry for them, and we believe in Jesus Christ and the gospel. Repentance shows our willingness to turn from things that keep us from God, and baptism renews us, filling us with the grace necessary to have faith and to live it. This belief is more than just "head knowledge." Even the demons have that (Jas 2:19). It's more than just believing you're saved. Even the Pharisees had that (Jn 5:39). True, saving faith is one lived and exhibited daily: It is "faith working through love" (Gal 5:6, cf. Jas 2:1-26). Sometimes the Church is accused of teaching "salvation by works," but this is an empty accusation. This idea has been consistently condemned by the Church. Good works are required by God because he requires obedience to his commands (Mt 6:1-21, 1 Cor 3:8, 13-15) and promises to reward us with eternal life if we obey (Mt 25:34-40, Rom 2:6-7, Gal 6:6-10, Jas 1:12). But even our obedience is impossible without God's grace; even our good works are God's gift (Rom 5:5, Phil 2:13). This is the real biblical plan of salvation.

Those in hell wound not change even if they had the chance. People in hell hate God and others, they have no love. I have no idea who is in hell, I do however pray for the salvation of all. Our freedom is a great gift with deep consequences. In Christ Jesus we become truly human as he was, forgiven filled with grace. In hell what is there is no longer human, just rage, hatred and isolation from all. That is why I pray that no ones ends up there, so as you have pointed out, scriptures says that there are those who choose to not accept Christ Jesus.

Have you read the entire book? She was not an agnostic. I am amazed how a few simple quotes from the New Testament and you can place a soul in hell and have not spent the time seeking to understand where she was coming from. Below is a simply quote from a man who understands what she was talking about. I understood it in the way the Msgr Mannion explained it, as did most Christians who understand the workings of God in the many souls who seeks him. "However, the “dark night of the soul” Mother Teresa experienced was as far from atheism as one can imagine. Atheists typically feel quite comfortable in their disbelief in God and are in no way troubled by it. Their sense of God’s absence is undergirded by the more fundamental belief that God does not exist and that religion generally is the source of the worst evils of the world. The Christian (or other religious believer) who experiences a sense of God’s absence in his or her life is often highly committed to the life of faith, has a strong belief in God’s existence, and—in the case of Mother Teresa—practices a demanding life of self-sacrifice and service." Msgr. M. Francis Mannion Peace Mark

i believe that God uses our gifts to help others, but our weaknesses to reach us.

By becoming true servants of others. Christ Jesus like in the story of the Samaritan woman, changed her because Jesus truly saw her as a human being, unique and in need of love, compassion and understanding. When the woman experienced this kind of regard, perhaps for the first time in her life, she found deep healing and faith in the Lord. That allowed her to go back into community and others seeing her change listened to her. Anger and brow beating have no place in the healing and saving of souls.

Beauty and fragility Insects are a problem for us. I guess you could say we are a war with them, a war we can’t win, but can only hold them back. We have ‘people’ come in and spray around certain areas of the retreat house in order to keep insects out. Or if they come in, they do not live long. They cross over an invisible line that will poison them in short order. The main reason we do this is to get the palmetto bugs (roaches for some) that like to come in seeking water etc. We have lots of trees so they can come in that way if a window is open, or even come in when bags or boxes are delivered to the retreat house. Outside the retreat house where they belong, I have no problem with them; it is when they are inside that all options are off…..they have to die! I don’t mind crickets, I have even had them for pets, Spiders don’t bother me either, yet they to must be controlled or their numbers could get out of hand in the retreat house. Ants, silver fish, the list is very long. So yes, insects want to invade, we don’t want them to, so we get defensive with them. Some insects do intrigue me however. In our dinning room, next to our coffee machine, under the light that shines over our white paper coffee cups that is next to our regular coffee cups, I will often find some flying insects there. They are fragile, tiny, and seem to only live for one night. When I come in their tiny bodies are lying on top of the paper cups and few still alive. Now I get up early, around 2:30, so if they are dying by that time, their life cycle must be very short. They can’t come in from the outside. Not sure where they are born etc. They are attracted by the light and perhaps the reflection off the paper cups. They weigh very, very, little and even the live ones if you breathe on them they will blow away. Their fragility brings out a’ tenderness’ in me that I would not normally have for the more aggressive in your face kind of insects. Their lives are so short and they are so defenseless and easily destroyed that I feel a certain free floating affection for them. To see one laying there dead makes me sad. Yes it is kind of pathetic isn’t it? Perhaps it brings to mind our own situation. Those little insects in the few hours that they exists; do in fact have a full life. They are born, mate, perhaps eat a little, what I am not sure and then die. Just like humans and all life on this planet. Well except they do not know that they are going to die. I suppose they are not aware of my existence, though as I walk by, they may feel the change of pressure or even some wind that may actually blow them away. They have a full life, and live in a world that I don’t understand, but to them that is their little frequency of existence. So it is with us. About a month ago a woman retreatant asked if she could visit our cemetery in back of our monastic church. I said yes, but had to accompany her. As we were out there she looked at the graves and started reading the dates on some of the far away grave markers. I was astounded that she could do that. There was no way I could read the markers that she could see clearly. I asked her what her vision was. She said something like 16/17, which I never heard of. She told me that her vision was much better than the average human being. So she pointed to the tress in back of the cemetery and asked me what I saw. So I told her. I saw leaves of course, limbs etc. So she told me what she saw. She saw little dead leaves that I could not; she could even see large insects etc. As she was talking to me and explaining what to her her normal world was, was to me a revelation, since I could never see beyond a certain range. So my full world, which also exists within a certain frequency, was a little different from hers, narrower and more limited. Our senses open up a lot for us, as well as out intuition. Even humans don’t always live in the same world. Our intelligence, education and the depth of our sixth sense can make our world unique to each human, though there is also a commonality that unites us. What does having a relationship with the Infinite do for us? It can open us up to a broader way of looking at reality, a way of breaking out of the suffocating mundane-ness that our everyday lives can become. It can also open us up the possibility that our deepest longings also tell us something about the nature of reality. Faith could ground us in the reality of the ongoing mystery of our existence and the possibility of a revelation of an intelligence way beyond anything we can understand or imagine. The difference between me and those beautiful little fly insects cannot even begin to be compared to infinite intelligence compared to the greatest of human intellects. For we will always live in a certain frequency and not be able to go beyond it, expect perhaps by faith. Even in human relationships, it takes a certain faith to trust and love another human being. If that act of trust can’t be undertaken, then our world is truncated even if we don’t know it.

Thank you for your clarification. Though I did not really think you were saying that, but I needed something like this. Bottom line, each day commit yourself, run the race, if you fall admit it get up and look to Jesus and not our ourselves. Over time trust will flower and bloom.

This really is a dead horse debate with different sides using scripture, best to puts ones trust in God and live each day as it comes. We are free, so it is possible for someone who once knew Christ Jesus to turn away, it is a relationship, a two way street. Yes it depends on grace, but if grace forces then it is not grace at all. However the love of God is not easy to reject, so I agree, for one who turns away from Christ, going to hell is hell itself. Also sending people to hell, or saying they are not Christian because they don't fully understand the how of works/grace has its problem. For then it is stated that we are saved by grace, but only after we 'do' one thing, we have correct understanding. We are told not to judge another human being. I believe this is true because Jesus Christ died for all and works in each soul in ways that we will never understand here. Our understandings are based on human experience more or less, that has an effect on how we read and understand the Scriptures. Love all and pray for all, for God's judgments are true, while ours, well, nope.

Then the eyes of those who see will not be blinded, And the ears of those who hear will listen-- Isaiah 35:5 Seeing deeply I choose (Gail Bardis) Choosing is iffy. For when we consciously, make a choice, it will open up a new road to walk on, a new way of seeing the world which may take time to experience in its fullness. To not choose is a choice as well and its affect on our lives may not be seen at all, since no new roads were taken. It makes self reflection difficult. We can choose not see what is going on around us. I know that I do it, it is form of protection, it keeps the suffering of the world at bay, at least for time, that is until it comes ramming though our front door. It is also needed, but when it becomes our default position it can be deadening for both heart and soul. When we give our hearts to God, when we choose to take that road and if we continue to respond to the invitation to go deeper, there is a price to pay. In this world there is a cost to disburse for everything. The consequences are steep, but worth it. When we seek to open up our hearts to the reality of the world as God sees it through the eyes of Christ, we find ourselves responding in ways before not even thought possible. We Christians want to limit the ‘Word” of God to our way of thinking, yet I find many people of different faith paths and none at all who find themselves seeing the world in a more loving a compassionate way, and not afraid to pay the price. It is true, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”, yet the ‘Word” has always been at work in the world. When we learn to see with the eyes of Christ Jesus, we learn how to suffer in a new way. We see others as ‘another self’ made in the image and likeness of God. We see those around us with the eyes of Christ, and when others see us, we began to understand slowly that they too are seeing us with the same eyes. Some people are conscious of it, others are not. They can be oblivious of the reality of the “God who tabernacles with us”. My friend told me: “In the past I had no regard for the homeless, now things have changed. I see them as human, people deserving of love and respect. I saw a man the other day in Decatur sitting on the side of the road. At first I thought he was dead, he looked so awful. He was just sitting there, his head on his knees, his arms hanging loosely and his skin white and blotched. Yet there was merriment in the café behind him, no one seemed to notice. It was so awful. I put some money in his hands and went in the restaurant, and when I looked out a few minutes later, he was gone”. People ask me “What is the price you talk about when one takes the road to follow Christ”. Well, the price is in the paragraph above. We begin to notice those unnoticed, to feel compassion for those many only have disdain over. It causes a certain type of pain and weeping and also the realization that there is much that can’t be done. All we can do most of the time is to minister to those around us and allow others to minister to us. So yes “I choose” as well, we all do, though not also conscious of the inner depths where it comes from. A place only seen by God, though a we journey he allows us to see more deeply and to understand out own need for love, healing and mercy……which we then pass on to others…..grace always works for the good of all.

Thank you! Wise faith filled teaching.

I think faith, to be rooted in Christ Jesus is the important thing. I do think growth in humility, which is really about not being afraid of the truth about ourselves can be deepened by the study of psychology, which is the study of the soul. When that was lost and psychologist become atheistic, then problems start to happen. Thank you.

Yes, I understood, just teasing you ;-)

What a powerful witness my friend. We are never alone, even when Jesus seems to be sleeping ;-).

I disagree but only a little ;-). I think it is a lack in 'trust'. Also these kinds of 'thoughts' when powerful are talking to us, we need to talk back and not fight them. You can push them under but they are still there. They manifest I believe through our emotions and moods. To not fear them, or fight them is what weakens them. Our faith and trust in Christ's love for us allows us to not fear them or hate them. To know that we are seen and loved to our very depths. Nothing is hidden.....praise God for that.

I believe that many of our 'thought patterns' are picked up from our past. They are like a movie being replayed in our minds with just different characters. Not sure they are real personal thoughts, but yes, they have power if not surrendered to Christ.

This is very good, well thought out and thank you. This does line up with my post, but have said it much better than I ever could.

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Mark 4:38 All I want is to figure things out, give me the bottom line! Dealing with self-talk A small group here in the Monastery is meeting and talking about “Non-Violent-Communication”. It is a book of 14 chapters and I have enjoyed it very much. Br. Cassian, who was a teacher before he came to the Monastery, leads our study group and because of his talent as a teacher, it is turning out to be very worthwhile. This morning we talked about how we can through the cycle of ‘self talk’ trip ourselves up in our walk with the Lord. Negative thinking, especially if it is not fully conscious can cause serious problems for the one who is caught up in its web. There are times when we can’t always figure out why our inner lives are the way they are, or why we can have strong emotional reactions. Fear, anger and anxiety can drive the one experiencing them to seek distraction, which can lead to addictions in some cases. Not just the major addiction, like drugs or alcohol, but with food, work etc. I have found that I will not be able to figure myself out; that there are times when all that can be done is to stay with the emotional upset and sit with it before God in prayer and mediation. Which allows it to live out its short life-time permitting things to settle down once again. Once this is discovered, that we don’t always have to deal with our inner storms, but we can just sit it out in a conscious prayerful manner, the feeling of being driven lessens over time I believe it is called “waiting on the Lore”. Sometimes the bottom-line will not be found but we can discover that we will get through it and next time not to be afraid of the inner pain. That it will end on its own. To set with ourselves and not to seek to escape it is form of fasting. From destructive thought patterns as well as seeking relief in ways that will only delay having to eventually face ones inner chaos and allow grace to do its work. When we allow ourselves to sit in the craft, with Jesus often sleeping in the stern of the boat, we will find that we make it to the further shore. We are never alone, once that is embraced and experienced; our emotions and feelings no longer have the power to drive us. We find the freedom that Christ Jesus wishes to impart to us. Not to fear life, but to embrace all it entails. The joyful and the painful, the successes and the failures, all are brought out for the best for those who love and trust Jesus Christ.

For me it is a total trust in the love of Jesus Christ for me and others. It allows me not to fear life, nor anything that is within me that still wants to flee or rebel. All is known by Christ Jesus, I bring all to him and trust in his love and mercy.

We were robbed last week. Broke into our front offices and took money only, did not take credit cards or checks. It is a common event. It is truly a sad state of affairs. Younger people don't see the changes that we old timers (well I am one) have seen. At it will continue to change. I guess we are in free fall, one day we will hit bottom and not sure we will be able to recover. Hope I am wrong. Things are changing so fast that every five years is what 20 or more years were in the past. I pray,hope and just get through each day.

FresnoJoe, thank you for the beautiful scriptures my friend. Peace Mark

If used for medical reasons, I think it is good.

What retreatants have taught me about childlike faith Psalm 116:6-9 6 The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me.7 Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me.8 He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.9 And so I walk in the LORD’s presence as I live here on earth! ++++++++++ I have written many times how humbling it is to talk with our retreatants as they share many of their struggles with me. One of the common denominators that I see in them is their ‘Childlike Faith’. I do think that many of them would be surprised if I brought it up to them, but I believe it is true nonetheless. When I remember being a child and I can go back to the crib, though the memories are few. I really have only one memory of being in a crib before being two. As I got older, by the time I was two years old I have a few more that mostly focus on some adverse situations. I do know as my brother Robert has so wisely told me, “that those memories that I have so far back may be false ones”. I agree up to a point. For they are based on the subjective experience of a very young child, yet they persist and they have been a goad for growth I believe. What sticks out for me about those years and I feel it is one of the gifts of being a small child, is that I totally accepted reality as I perceived it, not longing for something different, but it was just the way things were. I think that is how some people survive their childhoods that were abusive; they did not know there was another way. It is when we become adults that our past, be it consciously remembered or not has such a hold on us. My childhood however was not abusive, things happened and I had to deal with it the best way I could. Some of the people who come here have lives that are extremely chaotic and filled with tragedy and pain. They often talk about their struggles and yes their failures, yet they do not speak of giving up, or giving in to despair. They simply move forward in faith. They have deep roots in Christ Jesus and they withstand the storms of life. They get up every morning and live their lives. They do not try to escape their lives into addictions but embrace it, though they do not enjoy it. They struggle with anger, and depression at times, yet they go deeper and believe in God’s love for them and simply deal with their emotions in a manner that does not allow them to control their lives. They pray and trust in God, in Christ Jesus. In saying that I see others who are seeking who do the same thing, they continue, have hope and search for answers. So yes I believe that they are childlike in how they live their lives as well. They have taught me a lot. When St. Paul says that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus, I believe that. Love can’t be bought, or earned; it is a freely given grace. Jesus talked about God being Father. The story of the Prodigal Son is one way that he tried to get people to understand. I guess parental love, good parents, loving parents, are the closest thing that we can experience to the love of God. Though as powerful as it is, it is nowhere near to the love that God has for us as shown in the life, death and resurrection of our Lord. A person with childlike faith will not allow failures that are personal sin to delay them on their journey. For like Peter getting out of the boat, when he saw that he was sinking because he looked at his feet (being overly self conscious) and not to the Lord he began to sink. Yet he at once called out and Jesus pulled him up. So Peter in his childlike faith called on the name of the Lord in love and trust and was not disappointed. ---Br.MD Sr. Faustina is a Catholic and this is what Jesus told her about trusting him: 1488: (You see, my child, what you are of yourself. The cause of your falls is that you rely too much upon yourself and too little on me. But let this not sadden you so much. You are dealing with the God of mercy, which your misery cannot exhaust. Remember, I did not allot only a certain number of pardons.). (Diary of Sister Faustina, conversations with souls 1485-1489)

OK I won't post anymore, this is not a catholic site, so that is fair.

Thank you, I will do better in the future and use more scripture.....I am learning.