Follow No One

And they will say to you: See here, and see there. Go ye not after, nor follow them: For as the lightning that lighteneth from under heaven, shineth unto the parts that are under heaven, so shall the Son of man be in his day. *

The "Follow No One" admonition came 21 years ago. It was at a time when someone, well-intentioned, suggested getting together with some people he thought would "help me" have a "group." This was b.C. (before Catholic). The people, also, meant well. They so wanted the nothing to walk on their pathway. One man in particular delighted in wanting to instruct the nothing as a kind of mentor.

One night, at three a.m., the nothing was awakened by a voice saying clearly: Follow no one! Follow no one! Follow no one!

The nothing recognized instinctively the voice. At 8 a.m., a call was made to let the people know that this one would not be part of the group. They were gnostic types, and the nothing ever was and shall be a Christian. Yes, the nothing had been seeking, and there were certain questions in the nothing that Protestantism could not answer. The ministers and even a Lutheran "bishop" were clueless. It was all right. God provides.

There is no one but Jesus Who beckons with authority: Follow Me. He is God. Others in history have asked for followers, and yet many others who perhaps expected followers or would like followers. But we are to follow no one. We are to follow the One Triune God. And one can add: in the one true Church. This is the week of Christian unity, and to many friends and family of other communions (term was used in the St. Francis de Sales bio introduction), the advice to be Catholic seems harsh. But it is good advice. But we always disclaim any perfection. We are sinners, all of us.

St. John the Baptist had followers, but he did not ask them to follow him. He was no doubt rejoicing when those who had followed him, followed the Lamb of God when John pointed Christ out to them. The prophets of the OT, hermit-types they seem, lumped along pretty much with God alone: solus Deus.

St. Antony and others, such as St. Seraphim, did not seem charmed by others seeking them out. However, they did God's bidding and extended charitable hospitality when it was required. St. Bruno answered the Pope when he called Bruno from his solitude; but a short time later allowed Bruno to go to yet another "desert", in Italy. People followed some of these hermits, but it was of their doing or benefit to be in a group.

This seems valid. When a group is beneficial to a certain vocation or provides needed support in a mutual following of Christ, then it seems a good thing. One must know God's will for oneself in this. And, there is the aspect in the hermit life of solitude, and of climbing the holy mountain on increasingly narrow paths. The Camaldolese and Carthusians come to mind, as well as others living in groupings. No need to ruminate on this. It is so and very good for many.

In the nothing's life, the nothing has noted now, from the episode years ago and in reflecting prior to that and after, an expectation to function with and in groups. Perhaps the expectation came from the up-bringing. Over time, the "follow no one" exhortation rings true. All group endeavors have fallen flat. There is a weakness in the nothing, obviously, that has others wanting to take the nothing under their wings, and the nothing itself seems to think others have answers. And often they do. And mostly the answers help the nothing to come back to simply following Jesus, solo.

The spiritual da said this six years ago or more, when he said he could not direct, that he had no more to teach. He said it was time for the Holy Spirit to direct. A year ago when the nothing felt desirous of a director, asked the Bishop for one. The Bishop told the nothing to be directed by the spiritual da. The da then said we would be anam cara: spiritual friends. Thus, he is the spiritual da. He ought to call this one: the spiritual nothing.

Others since have kindly referred the nothing to this or that group, fellowship, network, newsletter, organization, internet site, and whatever, of hermits. The nothing has found these not as beneficial as the "good readings" and a life of prayer: both the simple desires of the nothing Catholic hermit's Bishop, for its life.

Progress is made on the climb once one knows from several slips and turns (fore and aft) on the path God chooses. One must pray for greater confidence. The confessors and da help; looking inward to the distant and recent past helps. The lives of Catholic hermit saints help. Briefly viewing other hermits' paths which are beneficial to them, help.

So, it is determined that this nothing Catholic hermit is done with groups and following after this or that. As the confessor said last week, [you] already know about such and so. Well, yes, the nothing responded, but it didn't realize it already knew, and the benefit at least was in hearing it again from another's perspective. No harm done other than facing one's insecurities, which is a good.

But there comes the moment of truth of being: of being prostrate before God, for that is where one utlimately must place [bestow!] all questions, must proffer one's nothingness. It seems the Sacred Heart of Jesus stretches like a new wineskin when one lies prostrate within His Heart--even if the feet dangle a bit from the Wound.

*Luke 17: 23-24.