Catholic Hermit Hit with Challenges!

Just when I thought energy was returning and thumb looking good, and getting back into work mode here at the hermitage...obstacles presented themselves.

Late last night, in the dark here, when trying to fall to sleep on this mattress, the mind had a startling thought.  Are the wall outlets in the bathroom, nearly finished, going to be in right positions when I install the cabinets?  I had been so concerned with the plumbing drain pipe locations that I'd forgotten to check the wall outlets.

Months ago I had called the electrician as I was concerned the outlet on the right of what would be one of the two sinks, was not far enough from sink and would interfere with the mirror placement.  He convinced me it would be all right.  But since the issues with Lowe's over the bad cabinets and having them replaced, it was discovered the initial employee had also sold kitchen height bathroom cabinets, not bathroom height.  With vessel sinks it is more critical to have the lower bathroom height, anyway.

But the bathroom height cabinets did not offer the 30" wide drawer base unit.  So I had to get a 24" wide drawer base.  And, suddenly, last night in the dark, I realized that while it worked out all right for the existing plumbing coming from wall, it might not work for the outlets above where the counter will be.

I got the flashlight and went into the bathroom, and sure enough the outlet box is not in proper position.  I was awake in the night trying to figure out various options without having to take out the drywall!  I had spent a couple weeks working on finishing the walls to professional standards.  An idea came that I could go through the kitchen wall which adjoins that bathroom wall. But is there enough electrical wiring "give" so that I could move the outlets?  Were there any other options with the cabinets?

But this morning I checked the other outlet, and it needs to be moved, also, for the left vanity sink.  The electrician cut it too close with the positioning of these, for sure.  Each needs to be moved six inches--one to right and one to left.

I talked with him this morning.  He is booked up for a long time, he says.  I asked if he'd consider giving up a day of his weekend to do this favor and help me--after he said for me not to cut the drywall as he has a special tool that will cause less damage than a manual, drywall cutter knife.  Plus there is the risk of damaging wires--and, the wires as installed may not allow for the movement necessary.  They are tight in, stapled to studs.

I had been writing in the night to a long-time friend, using some computer messaging thing.  I'm not tech savvy.  This morning I mistakenly sent a long message to the adult daughter who recently renewed contact.  I don't even know if in the long message there was any reference that was complaining, as I also was trying to decide if this was enough to just let me decide God wants me to bail out of this whole situation.  Perhaps I wrote of the obstacle of even trying to get furniture and boxes out of pole barn where the daughter and son-in-law had stacked things a year ago this winter--injuring her elbow with what is going to be life problem, in the process.

So I sent messages that I would no longer be using the message capability and to please email me.  She had read my outlet and drywall woes and obviously my thoughts of bailing out or staying, and of where I'd go, anyway?  The Lord has not made anything clear whatsoever.

Amazingly, the emotions with the outlet troubles (that was the only room even near finished and with drywall completed, walls primed and painted, light fixtures in!) did not register with reaction as they would have prior to the death of my will.  I know I was frustrated with my intellect--thoughts trying to figure out options to solve the problem and also to discern if God was saying enough of struggling with all this work load here!

But I had realized this morning that I must remain in the present moment, and do what needed to be done today, which is to continue watering and also to gather up pruning clippings to be burned either today or some day in the burn pile.  Thus, I started the watering routine, hooking up soaker hoses and setting the sprinkler and moving it from time to time.  I then soaked the thumb as I'm to do twice a day and change the dressing.

This day the wound looked worse again!  I had been wondering if all the splinter had come out, or if the joint itself was going to be affected longer.  At this, admittedly the thoughts became discouraged.  I knew they were my thoughts, not God's thoughts.  Yet, the present moment was immediately shifted to wondering if I needed to return to the emergency room.  

And the thoughts tried to take hold that all this is not what I need to be doing, all this work--right after what I think are God's thoughts came to me in a peace-bearing fashion, to simply keep going, to keep at it, that what matters in my life is the praying for my soul and prayers for other souls, with whatever work just a means to pass time while praying.

Another thought came, this time probably my angel's thought flashings.  Remember yesterday when you were inspired by Hildegard of Bingen's vision of the angels, and how she reminded that we get so distracted that we miss out on reality of angels about us, helping us?  And remember how the angels teach us by their example that we are to praise God--and strive to praise Him continuously?  And remember how you [me] had resolved to start practicing praising God, striving to do so always, in all matters?

Well, yes, I did immediately remember.  And with that remembrance of just 24 hours earlier, came the thought which is from God's Mind, not my intellect that bungles and assumes wrongly, that of course I would be tested in my resolve to praise God.  The devil also could be allowed to creep into the scene, bringing chaos and confusions, dilemmas and obstacles to peace and to present moments.

It is rather stupendous realizing that within hours of my attitude being that of more inclined to God's Mind rather than my intellect in me, that all of a sudden I'd think about the outlets after all this time of the new cabinets being in that bathroom, even if not installed yet.  (And it is a good thing that I have not felt up to installing them, as it turns out.)  It is awe-inspiring that a series of events including this little left thumb, could march into line, each taking a turn at trying to get a reaction counter to peace, to equanimity of spirit and resolve. 

And of course, had I been praising God in each of many little events in the night and morning?  While I did not have the old-my-will reactions, I still very much have way too much of my own intellect.  Having one's intellect be replaced by God's is just as much a real process involving some suffering and earth time, as does the death of one's will.

But I do know that I have struck upon a symphonic chord of holy proportions with the resolve to praise God as do the angels, attaining to the continuous praise of Him in all matters.  Yes, I emphasize "attaining to", for it will come through awareness, practice and grace.  

The thumb has simmered down again.  It is looking better since soaking it.  I will praise God for all that is and for nothing that also is--which means praising Him for anything, everything--including the remains of my own intellect that gets me into bungles for now.  Eventually my intellect will be totally replaced with God's Mind.

God bless His Real Presence in us!  Little children let us love praising God and love praising Him above all things, and love praising Him that we can love others as ourselves!

Hermit Reflects on Letter to the Hebrews

The Book of Hebrews

Reflections written as tribute to a consistently scepter-holding priest ~ by this joyful hermit....

Christmas 2015

Chapter 1

After Jesus’ earthly sin bearing, dying death, He exists as all-sustaining Word as one with God.  In these days, our present moments now, God is speaking to us.  He speaks through Jesus, the Word, the Living Word.  God created the universe and all aspects of existence through Jesus Whom He calls His Son and Heir of all fathomable and unfathomable things. 

The Living Word, the Word made flesh—Jesus—sustains all by His Word.  This is love of God in Himself and God Is Love.  The Word who sustains all, accomplished purification from sins by the Word-made-flesh bearing all sin and being crucified with all sin expiated, once, for all.

After Jesus’ earthly sin bearing, dying death, He exists as all-sustaining Word as One with Love Is God. The Word is filled with and reflecting His Glory: light reflecting refulgent light reflecting refulgent light infinitely, forever and ever. He is in His Glory, the Word inheriting a name that is perfection, more excellent than beings of light named angels.

Higher than the angels, God placed the Word and called Him “Son.”  He asked all the angels to worship Him.  He gave the angels their purpose: be winds and fiery flames of ministry.  Of His Son, the Living Word, God gave Him the scepter of righteousness in God’s Kingdom, for the Son loves justice and hates wickedness.  God anointed His Son with oil of joy above all lesser joys.

All that God creates—of heaven and earth—are perishable.  People, things, earth, wind, rain, fire—all age in time, dissipate, depart.  God takes all tangible creation and changes all tangible creation, no matter what it is, who it is, where it is.  But God-Is-Love and His Living Word never change and exist forever.

All things temporal change.  Bodies, circumstances, places, thoughts, emotions, attitudes, actions change.  Even vocations change.  And souls change.  Yet of all things and aspects in time and temporal  that change, only living souls and angels created by God exist eternally.  They exist and continue to be influenced, reformed, commissioned by the Living Word-God-Love—infinitely, in God, without end.

Do the souls that sin has deadened, exist infinitely dead? It seems so, for even a soul that is deadened with sin exists dead, is nothing.

God speaks to souls in these days, now, and anoints souls with oil of joy.  He calls them Sons, and gives them scepters of righteousness in His kingdom on earth—that kingdom of proclaiming God’s righteousness, of loving justice, of hating evil.  They are a little lower than the angels, these anointed souls, made to be ministers of the Living Word’s Words.  

These Sons are to think, speak, live Truth, Beauty, Goodness; the Way and the Life; to be a reflection of the refulgence of Light; to accept the scepter of righteousness and stand in life on earth to the right of the Word at the right of God in heaven.

These earthly Sons who are anointed with all celebrated joy of oil of gladness who accept the righteous scepter and who live and think and speak and do as the Living Word, exist in God.  Their souls change as does reflected light, increasing intensity, reflecting and refracting, metamorphosing truth and goodness and love, beautifully, sincerely, as generous as is justice pure and love perfect. Their souls exist infinitely as light and love, worshiping as voice of God speaking to us through His Son, as His Living Word.

These are the earthly priests of God, created a little less than the angels—yet whom He calls as ministers of reflections of the refulgence of His glory.  They are His Sons, and of them God is father, and they are called sons.  Their earthly presence will perish, but if their souls (as all souls) carry to the earthly end the scepter of righteousness in His truth, beauty, goodness, light, and love—they will remain, and they will be the same in God, the lights of many souls fed by these priests redounding in the splendor of His mighty word, vivified in the refulgence of His glory, forever and ever.

For those anointed with the joyful oil of gladness, yet weaken in hatred of evil, who lose grip on the scepter of righteousness, who trade justice for temporal prestige, power, position—what is their fate as earthly priests of God?  When the bodies decay and the soul yet exists, is the existence death, that of nothingness?  Do souls that are deadened by sins on earth, exist as dead nothings infinitely, or is there merely nothing, and thus no existence, ever more?

We wonder that surely the angels and all ministering spirits sent to serve, are to do and have done so “for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation.”  And surely, those of earth who ask for and accept in joyful celebrations the anointing of the oil of gladness, will be as ministering spirits even if for a portion of their time that has end, lesser beings than the angels but with souls.  Even if they have not grown old with the scepter of righteousness yet clasped in their hands, surely there will be some light remaining to carry their souls into infinite momentum, of inherited salvation, some taste of His portion and cup.

And for all souls wearing the garments of genders on this earth, may we all be open to whatever anointing of oil of gladness that has been given us, that we strive to hold with these ministering priests of earth, the scepter of righteousness. May we help them hold onto love of justice and hatred of evil, as all our souls are vulnerable to weakness.  When it is time for each of our bodies to perish, may our souls be sifted and become magnifying light, changed and luminous, all existing infinitely together, light within Light.

God gift eternal love.

A Hermit's Thoughts on Being a Guest

Was reminded of a locution, twelve or so years ago:  "Be a guest."  For the past couple of days the words resurfaced--no doubt this hermit's guardian angel as messenger of His Real Presence, sent to remind of aspects this hermit has not so well been living for quite some earth time.  

Below are flow-of-consciousness-type thoughts shared in emails with a spiritual friend.  They are rambling thoughts, in part, and also answer some questions and comments from the friend, over the course of our e-conversation.

"Had the idea with that locution, or it seemed, that "be a guest" was to be considerate as a guest would be, and to realize that as guests, we are temporary and "borrowers" of anything that God has created, done for us, or is providing.  So we develop a behavior and mentality of gratitude for all, like guests ought to do, at least!  

And to be more demure, perhaps--not create arguments with our Host (and Hostess, Mary), and to go along with what others desire, while also expressing for what we hope and would like, when asked, or even if not, if it is not presuming or out of line or demanding.

"To simply be polite, as a guest would (or should), is another aspect.

"The point may be to LEARN more how to behave as a guest in this world and life and among people, and then learn to be considerate and thoughtful, more and not less.  So the natural self, or being ourself, would be a very nice and thoughtful self, and more compliant with God's world and His allowing us to be a guest here on earth, and a guest in His abode, which He has made inside us.

"'Be a guest' had to do with that, and learning the behaviors and thoughts at least interiorly--at least to ponder it--and to train ourselves in a better way of viewing God and HIs Creation, and of being a guest among many guests, even if others do not realize they are guests, too.  We are all guests here.  

"So consider, also, as personal example, terrible complaining.  Now, would one do that if a guest in someone's house here on earth?  Would one feel lonely and betrayed?  No.  Would one not brush teeth daily, or shun certain foods offered us, or be picky in any way?  Would we demand help with projects?  

"Guests do ask for things, though, of the host and hostess.  Where are the glasses, or for a drink of water?  A towel?  Would it be all right if we left for the afternoon, but will be back for supper?  Apologize that weI might not get in until late? That kind of thing.  Is there something the host or hostess would like us to do to help out during our stay?  Can we help with dishes?  Does the host or hostess mind if we read this book on his or her shelf?

"See?  It is just a different perspective when we place ourselves in this life as guests of His Real Presence and His Mother.  We'd ask permission a lot more.  There was a package in the mail, and it was from friend in SoCal. She sews beautifully and has good financial means, and she delights in gifting and wrapping everything to perfection. [This hermit[ noticed of the two, wrapped packages, in the smaller box a potential for something edible.  Decided it would be an Advent Gaudete gift, and to open it then and there!  Was ravenous, having forgotten to eat while focusing on insulation board and figuring out wall placements upstairs in the hermitage.  

"Sure enough, there was a candy bar tucked along with some work gloves in the small package. Downed the Payday: sugar and peanut energy.  Then realized had not even asked God if He'd mind the opening of the package before Christmas, as an Advent gift.  Instead, [this hermit] told Him what was going to do. 

"Am always seeming to be telling His Real Presence, not asking.  Even if would ask within, "Do You mind if...this or that?"   Would be better than not asking anything at all, and just going and doing, or telling Them.  I think this hermit would stop some unguest-like actions, if would learn to ask God as the Host, and/or Mary as Hostess.  

"Surely His Real Presence, by bringing to the conscious mind the years-past locution, wants this hermit to re-ponder "Be a guest"--mostly for attitude and perspective shift that will then concretely improve active beingness of body, mind, heart, and soul.

"In practicum, [for the hermit's spiritual friend's current visitor to her home], it would be rather fascinating to experiment being a guest while at the same time doing for a guest.  For one thing, if we observe someone who maybe is not the best guest, we can learn what not to be as a guest, and then change it to how we should be as a guest.  And then reflect upon it with God as our Host and Mary as our Hostess, for our stay here on earth.

"Back to being a guest ourselves, we would offer thoughts, actions, things to God, or we would offer to others as if they are our hosts and hostesses, through God.  Something like that.  So you are offering your guest supper this evening, even if he might not have the knack of being a guest in the way God would like us to be:  thoughtful, helpful, thankful, non-assuming, asking permission, checking in with the host's plans and schedule before making his own plans.

"You [the spiritual friend to whom hermit is writing] are right that God would want us to be ourselves--as even guests ought to be themselves...unless evil selves.  But being a guest of God is surely some different than being a guest of a human.  Being a guest of humans is not being a guest of One Who Is Eternal Perfection.  

In general, though, the locution ["Be a guest"] is a lesson to teach more how we can better act and react, how we can better perceive others and the world around, and the world we are in, especially our inner world.  

"Guests have their personalities, but it is how they treat their Host and Hostess and the other guests, that is probably the point He was making.  It is a marvelous locution to ponder, though, and one to learn by and from, and to stretch us in positive growth.

"The shepherds were guests; and on another socio-economic spectrum, the wise men were guests.  Angels were guests.  All are guests of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and even of the animals in their stable.  Their behavior and words were no doubt different than when on the hillside tending sheep, when in their Persian houses with servants, but not probably too different for the angels when they are glorifying God, for they glorified Him in the manger and as messengers to people of the birth of Christ.

"Yet, [this hermit] does not often consider its angel as a guest, always visiting me--a boarder for life who is trying to remind [this hermit] to glorify God, to adore Him, in every present moment. Plus, the guardian angel is a constant guest trying to protect and guide in temporal matters, yet all according to God's will.  So even difficult phases of life are ordained, and we are guests and yet hosts and hostesses of our guardian angels, if we view it as such from a personal perspective.  But from God's perspective, we are the guests, and the angels a constant messenger inviting us to "Be a guest."

"We cannot expect or even look to other people to be guests, or for them to grasp the concept of being a guest of God's on this earth.  But [this hermit] was told to be a guest,, and it has not much practiced or been a guest.  

"In a current situation [in the hermit's life], am asked to go into civilization and help someone paint woodwork, on the weekend.  Traffic is more then, and thought about going a day earlier.  But a guest would arrive when the hostess asks, or has in mind, not necessarily when the guest decides to arrive.  Of course, we might kindly ask if another time is all right, explaining our reasons.  

"But for the most part, with human hosts and hostesses, we may do well to practice considering them to be as God, as we are told to see God in others.  Still, when and as God is our life's and being's Host, then the stakes are much higher and different than dealing with imperfect humans!  And this must be remembered when we are human hosts to others...."

Thus concludes some of this hermit's thoughts on "Being a guest." Hope you readers ponder aspects and develop your own thoughts on the topic, and that you find "being a guest" a marvelous exercise in spiritual reality and life.

God bless His Real Presence in us!  May we love one another as guests of His Real Presence, as children visiting His Abode for He has come to make His abode in us, and we in Him.

A Spiritual Phenomenon We All Experience

Last evening a friend forwarded a notice from the national director of "40 Days for Life."  Basically, this is the prayer campaign of the last ten years in which people pray for 40 days for the closure of abortion clinics and for women to choose life for their babies.

The director mentioned that 59 abortion clinics have closed down since the campaign began. What is also astounding is that the new national headquarters for "Forty Days for Life" is opening in the College Station, TX, former Planned Parenthood clinic that closed its doors after persons of prayer kept praying outside its location.

Thus, this hermit is reminded of the most frequent and what could be constant mystical experience of any one's spiritual life:  PRAYER.

Prayer itself is a spiritual phenomenon.  Just think on that truth!

Prayer is a spiritual phenomenon, a mystical experience, of which any of us may be gifted, literally any time we pray.  To consider that communicating with His Real Presence is so readily available and accessible, and that it is absolutely spiritually and mystically a phenomenon beyond the temporal, is quite easily down-played or forgotten.

What do we people want that could be more loving, more spiritual, more miraculous, more mystical, more phenomenal than prayer?

This morning, upon awakening, the words to the effect that music follows the angels, also reminded of how the mystery of lovely music and harmony, of instruments and of voices in song, can also be a spiritual experience and verily a mystical phenomenon.  Consider how music links us with the angels!

God bless His Real Presence in us!  Little children that we each are, let us love one another!  Remain in His Love!

Marvelous Dream

["nothing" is apt identifying term as opposed to "me" or "I".  Am reminding that nothing is nothing and God is All.  Using this term "nothing," helps it sink in.]

Last night "nothing" had a marvelous dream.  It fits in well with casting the net today, offering to share about angels.  It had all to do with suffering and with being utilized in what and how God wills.

A couple of angels were speaking with "nothing" about the severe bodily pain, and they said it will be alleviated in a simple manner, daily.  They warned against another possibility for pain relief that was rather invasive and more complicated.  "Nothing" got the idea that the angels meant the pain will be gone in eternity, but of course am open to sooner!  May it be heaven on earth, His will be done.

Then the angels said "nothing" would be utilized spiritually.  This was a huge relief and a pleasant surprise.  In excitement, "nothing" mentioned how welcome news it was, and shared what was explained to the grandson about how each step and thought we take and make, is either a step or thought toward heaven or toward hell.  We should choose carefully!

The angels smiled.  One of the two said they already knew of that.  Yes, surely they would!  But they added that in the small ways of sharing such thoughts with others, God was very pleased.  They repeated again that "nothing" will be utilized in spiritual ways.

So, when a desolation came of a temporal financial nature, and tears choked the voice some and blurred the eyes, and when the parish employee did not want a program offered (and last spring was equally wary over a couple of small matters), "nothing" realized God was making His will known, and that He will provide plus will utilize spiritually.

Later, when painting the second top coat on the upper reaches of the north side of Te Deum House (hermitage), nothing again reviewed the various ways and offerings made in parishes, and the assurance returned that the utilization is in small ways as a hermit, and also through writing--not through or in parishes.

It is a relief.  As is said, "No is an answer."  And, it is a positive answer for it leads to what is not "no."  It leads to what is "yes", what is door opening, what is possible and can-do and joyful and what is freedom to be in His Real Presence.

At some point, nothing will give the program on angels and share the guardian angel story, en blogue.  There are Catholics and non-Catholics out there who do want something more, whose main concern is the progression of their souls and the souls of others, and who are willing to seek until they find their heart's desire (which is not for them, learning what exercises one can do in a chair or the history of the local zoo, wonderful as this information might be for many).

The door is open wide!  Nothing is going to be utilized spiritually, and hermit hidden ways, small as they may be, are as good as any.

Thanks, angels who spoke in the night!

What We Face

Here's a little example of what we face in some parishes, perhaps many.

A large and active parish wanted programs for an ages 60-plus monthly luncheon (with program following).  Nothing offered to present a short program on angels, including a fun angel story that was published a few years back in a well-established, religious magazine called Guideposts.  Then nothing mentioned sharing the various functions of each choir of angels and how they interact in our world, with us, and with God.  There is a rare book on the topic in the book boxes, and in a notebook are various notes that would give the nitty gritty of each choir and everyday examples.

It could be fun!  It could be illuminating!  People could be encouraged to share, if they wished, encounters.  If not, they would be reminded at an age (when we could use all the help possible) of our angels' assistance and more.

But no.  The parish lay employee jumped into the pitch with all kinds of hoops through which to jump.  Needed to review it all, needed to go over it with the priest, needed to see the hard copy of the published article.  Needed to see a write-up of what would be said. Needed to see the rare Catholic book on angels.  The tone of voice was wary, wary, and yet more wary.

She said "they" only want light topics and community ones.  "Nothing" noted that as a person over 60, many such cannot go out and be active in the community but rather maybe would be desiring to learn more of what will help us as we age, for our souls and spirits.

But no, that is not what they, the people in charge at the parish, want for us.  She mentioned that older Catholics don't like to hear about such things as they keep their faith private and are not into evangelizing.  Well, reviewing the choirs of angels and discussing the various saints' guardian angels, and that we have them, too, is not so much evangelizing...or is it?  Maybe?  Hopefully so?

Nothing mentioned that personally, especially in the aging process, there is concern for the growth of the soul and spirit, and thankfully do have some older people across the country who are interested in such.  Guess these are rare older and younger Catholic people "nothing" thankfully knows and enjoys.

Regardless, the lady did not like the angels idea, and she mentioned the parish book discussion group that meets once a month.  (The books thus far are rather light in content, which is good as many people are at various levels.  But why not offer a separate book discussion for those who desire another level?  Do schools keep students in the same grade year after year?  No.)  Nothing mentioned the parish monthly book club sounds lovely, but already have two book discussions going now, one with a woman of 86 years who turned on to some great classics of the spiritual life.  Yes, it did take some encouragement to get this friend interested in reading John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, and then Elizabeth of the Trinity and now Catherine of Siena, but she is seriously and joyfully hooked.  She is fascinated, growing, pleased and ready for more.

The other book is being read with a young mother of two little girls, again across the country.  We discuss weekly over the phone, and today's discussion of Scupoli's Spiritual Combat helped each of us.  We are praying for one another now to practice strengthening our wills and not leaving the battle field when our passions and vices try to wage war.  Scupoli gives specific battle instructions; not the least is to be aware and to pray, to call upon God all the more, as He can give assistance Himself and send angels--yes, angels--who can always overcome Satan and legions of dark angels.

It just seems that time and again, as Catherine Marshall (the famous Presbyterian minister Peter Marshall's wife) titled one of her best-selling books, Something More--something more is not wanted in many parishes.

Are we being dumbed down as Catholics by priests and other employees in charge of parishes?  Is it akin to the common core curriculum woes sweeping the country?

So these parishioners will continue on with the same old programs--history of the local zoo, importance of physical exercise, what food to eat....  Sounds like a YMCA or government-run, senior center roster.

But, nothing has offered, and prior to offering had prayed not to be surprised if there was to be negative results, for a negative is not really anything other than a positive of something other that God wills.  And "nothing" prayed that whatever occurs would be an indication as to God's will.  But when nothing did ask the parish employee if other offered programs go through such a process, the lady did admit others did not, but that this one was of particular concern to her due to not being like their usual programs.

Angels a concern?

Disconcerting?

This is what we face.

Postscript:  Awoke in the night with the question:  What would Jesus prefer?  Would Jesus prefer that elderly people meeting for lunch and a program in a church prefer them to learn about His angels and saints, or about how to do exercises in a chair or how many glasses of water to drink daily?  Are life-long Catholics (or life-long Christians) ready for more given they are but a short step from passing out of this life?  Why do others insist on feeding them milk rather than solid food for the journey, particularly at their ages and situation near earthly life's end? The answer to these questions reside in each soul, but this soul desires something more than that which is of earth and already easily known from years of living on earth.  This soul wants union with God and any information that will help reach the heavenly goal.

When God Does What He Wills

I've been able to be outside for a couple hours.  I mowed a little and later discovered I had inadvertently dismembered a snake with the lawnmower.  Then when piling more yard debris onto the mulch pile, I overturned some sod and discovered a very alive snake.  All the while I ponder, and today I've been pondering examples in His Living Word of God doing what He wills.

I thought of Jonah.  Jonah is one of those who intrigues because he avoided God's insistence that he go to Ninevah and warn the people of their impending demise by God if they did not repent.  After a series of refusals and running away, God forced the issue with a storm, some fearful seamen, and a whale.

Jeremiah also comes to mind.  He was just being Himself when God placed burning coals on his lips and told him he was to be a prophet.  King David did not have any choice, either, once God told Eli he would be shown which of several sons to anoint.  Well, Eli was made to anoint Saul as the first king, and Saul had no choice in the matter.  But I suppose being chosen as an earthly king might be something a person would not refuse.

But when God does what He wills, there seems not any way around it.  Sometimes He asks the person, but consider Mary.  The Angel Gabriel came and announced to her what was going to happen.  He told her the Holy Spirit would come over her, and she would give birth to the Messiah.  She gave her assent after being told, but she was not asked if she wanted to or not, actually.

God forced His way in and on many people, if we want to look at it that way.  May as well be realistic.  He chose certain ones over others for specific missions and purposes.  Consider Moses.  Frankly, there are so many instance in the Old Testament of God doing what He willed, that it is more fun for you to start thinking of them. Consider Sarah. She was told she would have a child within the year. 

Jumping to the New Testament, Zachariah and Elizabeth did not have a choice as to their son's name; he was told what it was to be.  In fact, Zachariah was overcome in the holy of holies and had his voice taken when he but questioned with amazement  and doubt what was to occur.  

St. Paul was knocked down by God's power and might, blinded, and then told where to go for further instructions.  Paul was not warned in advance nor asked if he would like to be part of the then "new evangelization."

Yes, I have been pondering these things because periodically I review the locutions, dreams, and visions in which the Three In One have told and shown me, without my anticipating a thing, and without my input and not allowing my avoidance, at least not for long.

I consider people in our time period or close enough, who were overshadowed or overpowered or unexpectedly had some event by God in their lives to which they had no choice, and beg or bribe, God did not take it away.  

Padre Pio is one such person.  St. Michael's imparted the five wounds of Christ into Padre Pio while he was praying before a Crucifix.  Padre Pio cried out from the pain, fainted, and was found bleeding on the stone floor.  God also did not remove the stigmata completely until his death.   Catherine of Siena wanted her stigmata removed, and God did grant her that but instead imprinted them within, known as "interior stigmata", and those expert in study of cases of stigmata report that the interior stigmata are more physically painful than the exterior.  I do not know how they measure that, as pain is individually relevant, but there are means and scales of attempting pain measurement.

But I return to St. Paul, perhaps because he is on my mind as Elizabeth of the Trinity's co-favorite apostle; the other is John.  It is absolutely irrefutable that God did in deed slay Paul as he walked along.  (I'm not sure why some people think he fell off a horse; it seems Scriptures mention he fell to the ground.) 

Regardless, he was, without warning, felled like a tree in a storm.  He heard a locution, and he knew it was Jesus.  Well, you know the sequence of events.  Paul had not asked for that phenomenon nor wanted it, nor expected it, nor agreed in advance to being put upon like that.  But he did agree, for he was blind and without recourse otherwise.  His soul was struck deeply, and he was overpowered by God.

People were and still can be overpowered by God or whoever the Trinity sends for God's will to be done.  Sometimes the way God takes over a body and/or soul, is nothing a person can seemingly refuse.  Perhaps, though, with what God has done and willed in them, their minds and hearts are made conformable to God's.  This may be due to the sheer power of the Holy Spirit when that force comes and one is helpless against it.  There is always the element of agreement in God's will, ours with His, but there certainly are many instances in Scripture and in documented lives, of ways in which God exacted His will with them.

Ah, think of Juan Diego!  It was as though he had no choice, despite his trying to hide and avoid the same path and "the lady".  But in many cases, God does ask, or has an angel or Mary ask the person to do this or that, from simple acts to major life course changes--even to be willing to die in God's will, for souls or other Divine intentions known by God alone.

Remember Jacinta and Francesco of Fatima, Portugal?  We could think how horrible that God would have Mary tell them they would die soon, and ask them if they are willing to suffer for souls to be saved?  And they were willing, for when God imparts what He wills with us, there is something stirred within us, and that is Divine love.  When God comes upon a person, Divine love is nothing the person wants to refuse.

I'm not sure why, other than His Real Presence is omnipotent. He can overtake a body, mind, heart and soul.  Even when God takes a body into His own Hands such as allowing suffering, the mind and soul of the one He holds so dearly, begin to change; and, sometimes, contrary to the person's previous nature, that person becomes alert to God and agreeable to His will.  If not, God may persist and usually does.  It is seen often enough if we are observant, and in Scripture, that God at times plucks souls from this earthly realm.  Yes, God does that which He wills, and we can be transformed in His will.

While we do have free will--this other of God's will be done is documented in real people's lives and encounters with God.  It does seem that most of the time, the person is already agreeable to God and loves God and has at some point given His life to God.  But there are the examples of God imparting His will and Himself in explicit ways in a person's life, and sometimes the person was not at all in tune with God prior. 

I have considered God's power and might regarding our wills and His, off and on in my life and particularly in the last few years.  On occasion I get the notion that perhaps I could take charge of my life again, and it would be more physically pleasant, somewhat carefree, and more humanly "easy".  Maybe I could make my life different than what it is.  

But, even on the few times I've tried to orchestrate a better situation, it simply does not turn out that way.  It seems the suffering is intensified instead.  And sure, the Lord has told me in locutions and various dreams, visions, and situations, that my earthly life's suffering is His chosen vehicle for me and as an aid to my soul's progression in this life.  I nonetheless tend to review these matters periodically, which could be a very human sin against faith except that I always offer myself to His will, all over again, and with more intensity.

Maybe that is why I have kinship with Jonah.  Call it a fable as some do, but it could be an actual, lived experience even down to the whale swallowing him.  I have no hesitation to acknowledge that God does what He wills in whatever ways He wills.  Nothing is out of God's range of possibility.  But I appreciate Jonah because he tried to avoid and escape what God effectively, made Jonah do.  Try as he might, Jonah was not going to get out of the assignment and mission God gave him.  But we must consider that Jonah was already God's prophet.  However, at the time of St. Paul's conversion, Paul was an enemy of Christ.

Neither will any of us be successful in running from God's will if God does with us as He wills.  And He can and He will. Even the most hardened of souls, will at some point come under God's will if only at judgment, when God does what He wills with us.