A Catholic Hermit Is Intrigued

Today's Gospel on this Solemnity of Corpus Christi (moved in the US from this past Thursday), affirms Jesus' call to each of us to proclaim Him in whatever ways possible.  Let His Light shine.  Do not shrink from proclaiming God.  Glorify God in whatever means possible, in our hearts and minds and souls, with all we are given including our bodies.

 "‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 

"'Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
 
"‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.'" (Matthew 10:26-33)

Three hours upon awakening were spent in the soul's resting in His Love.  Then some thoughts came to mind, and one is the intrigue of following, or followers.  Part of my mission in teaching through writing and sharing, is always to help others be the individuals that God inspires in every soul He creates.

However, some do not sense they are made worthy in God, by God.  Years ago someone commented that I am an "encourager."  I pray so, although no doubt I fall short time and again, and probably discourage myself far too often.  That is changing, though.  But as for others, I wonder at why some live their lives reacting to others, or looking to others for answers and how to proceed in whatever capacity in life they are endeavoring.  This type of following is not necessary, nor is it glorifying God, or so it does not seem to be.

The simplicity of God Is Love was the basis of the time spent this morning, reveling in His beauty, truth, and goodness.

Then certain examples came to mind, of people known in the past, or even the guest who dropped by last evening, wanting answers about how to celebrate the summer solstice, thinking I had some special way, when in fact I was celebrating Corpus Christi and had forgotten it was also the longest day of the year.  

A memory of a girl, also came to mind.  We were children in Girl Scouts, and this other child latched onto whatever I would do as if she could not function as a person, as a soul, without following and imitating what thoughts or ideas or actions came the way she perceived was mine.  From without to within and within to without:  God in Three Persons has His Being indwelling every soul.

In these rather strange situations (they seem unnecessary) of people intrigued with someone else, two options are open to the one being followed.  Allow the person to become dependent; encourage the person to realize His Real Presence through, with and in them, so that they can gain answers and inspiration for thoughts and actions on their own from God.

I prefer the latter, and so I encourage others.  I pray to empower them in whatever ways God instills or suggests.  It is not easy, as followers can become wearisome not only due to the very human aspect and time it takes to help them seek God's leadership--to follow Jesus not persons--but also because the situation is incredibly sad.  

It is sad to realize how much of a person's life is lost, in effect, and intimacy and connection with God is dimmed, when, for whatever reasons, one lives any part of life reacting to or following others.  It is particularly sad considering when in stillness and simplicity and sheer faith, souls are empowered by God Himself.

This is not to suggest that we should not be inspired by His Real Presence in others in positive ways that help us strive for God all the more; and we, too, then proclaim Him in all we say and do.   This is being encouraged and inspired--not following.  We ought only follow God in His Three Persons.  All souls holy, inspire and encourage others--encourage them to seek, know, love and live God. 

Godric the Hermit of Finchale encourages me to praise God more.  I sampled his way of holding up items tangible and in inner sight, thanking God for hearing and answering prayers, just as Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven when raising Lazarus from the dead.  But God gives us limitless ways, unique ways, just right and helpful to each soul, with which to praise Him in any given or separate situation.  How unfathomably marvelous!

The Pinterest phenomenon online is an example of pitfalls of following and reacting.  It seems a bane particularly of young women, although an older woman admitted following Pinterest resulted in her feeling most dissatisfied with her home decor, and negatively impacted her inner peace.  

Why not have faith and a sense of mystery and intrigue to discover what God will inspire in us?  He does so in any detail, weaving the temporal with the spiritual.  He can inspire the very paint color of a room, the name of a child, where to plant a certain perennial, or some invention to be patented for use in the world.

But what seems most important, is that by following His Real Presence at any level from the temporal to the Divine, we are empowered by God and thus reflect and affirm His indwelling with praise by glorifying Him with our lived response to and of Him.

So it is rather sad, truly, when others create music or art or writing or parenting or dressing or thinking based upon following or reacting to what someone else is inspired to create and do, for it is in essence denying His Real Presence's presence and presents in us.  If what others say or do inspires to good and to turn to God for His way for us, that is good.  If what others say or do causes us to hinder and block what God otherwise would inspire us to say or do, and thus follow or react to what others are doing, that is sad...sad.

Rejoice!  Encourage and empower others to seek God's personal guidance and inspiration.  If we are prone to following others in a way that we notice inhibits or has us reacting, not living out what God otherwise would inspire in us to think or do, then we ought avoid what hinders full expression of God's very breath within us.

As for the little girl from childhood, God separated us by temporal means--different classroom, end of scout years, moving on in life.  As an adult, she now is caring for her elderly mother with such compassion and sacrifice and joy, despite having had some serious male friends along the way who cruelly jilted her for someone else.  She now is blazing a trail in love and honor of a parent, inspired by God and to which He called her, for her actions and being are shimmering with holy love.

Tempting or allowing others to remain dependent upon us (other than young children for whom we are responsible), hinders their spiritual growth and health and does not glorify God.  Empowering others to seek what God will tell them, show them, inspire in them, illuminates the intrigue and unique love and mercy of God for each and every soul.

This intrigues me--why the temptation to not follow God and not ask Him for everything, including inspirations of what to think, say and do in every present moment.  I am going to be watchful for any ways that I inhibit His fullness of grace and presence in my life, my soul--a soul He created in His image and likeness and to which He gives much love and worth.  May I cooperate in being worthy of such entrustment, grace and love.