Healing Fire

Discussion in 'On prayer itself' started by Mark Dohle, Jan 11, 2018.

  1. Mark Dohle

    Mark Dohle Powers

    Healing Fire

    Just as a covered object left out in the sun cannot be penetrated by
    the sun’s rays, in the same way, once the covering of the soul is removed, the soul opens itself fully to the rays of the sun. The more rust of sin is consumed by fire, the more the soul responds to that love, and its joy increases
    .
    — Saint Catherine of Genoa

    The paradox of the Christian path is that we are called to one-ness with God, but we are also called to two-ness. Within the Trinity, there is a dance, a community, a joy that comes from this giving and receiving for eternity. Christ entered into our human experience, becoming human, so as to be the focal point of our connection with the ‘Infinite Other’, revealed as all-consuming love.

    All of our relationships with others, if loving, is a pale reflection compared to what we are moving toward if we are open to loving relationships. Even if we care but little for someone, but there is love, say the love we may have for those we meet on a daily basis. Not something big, or catches our attention, yet in our hearts, there is a love and concern for them Even then, when in some sort of relationship, no matter how long or short, we have to put some part of ourselves aside in order to deal with who is before us. So there is perhaps some little sacrifice we pay for being open to others.


    The deeper the relationship, if a loving one, say for those in our work environment, or school, or church, again, we are drawn out of ourselves in service to others. Even if slight, it still has a cost.

    With dear friends, family and especially if married, with our spouses, the cost is even greater. For if any relationship of any depth is to be experienced, then there is a need for a more radical displacement of the ego for growth to happen. It is a give and take. If one-sided, it is not a truly loving relationship, but one party using the other. The more self-centered one is, the more isolated, though that isolation may be thought of as independence. So friendships, family relationships, and marriages can end. To grow in love with others becomes more and more difficult as one ages and continues down the road of keeping others at bay, or using them to feed some need.

    So there is always some sort of ‘fire of purification’ going on in our everyday relationships, little deaths, so that someone may be helped or served, or simply be with. It is a choice in the end. Perhaps at first, small choices, then as maturity deepens, greater strides in the ability to connect more deeply with others. This circle can expand as one develops trust, as well as a deepening love of self that is not based on narcissism. It is a lifelong journey. As well as a difficult one.

    All of this is incorporated into our relationship with God. For the longing of our hearts, is based on the call of the grace of Trinity’s desire for each of us to enter into the eternal dance, the community of the Trinity.

    Yet, to be one with God is to allow the fire of God’s love to draw us out, to heal us, to take away all that covers us as a false way to find protection from others, as well as God. For the very thing we most long for, is what we can also fear….at bottom it may be based on the fear of a loss of self. A real fear, for we must lose self in order to find out who we really are. An invitation to drop the façade that our culture demands that we take on in order to fit in.

    It is true that religion and politics can brainwash its followers. However, so can the prominent cultural movements. There is truth of course presented to us by religion/culture/politics, but what we are told we need by the times/culture we live in are mostly based on the fear of having nothing, of being left out, ignored and looked upon as unimportant.

    Once it is found out that there is a deeper meaning to life, that our deepest longings when we actually find out what they are, we begin to truly live. Everything else is sand that slips between our fingers. All false gods, be they those of religion, or society, die. What is left in the ashes is the seed of eternal life waiting to sprout forth after all else is burned away by the passionate love of God the Father.
     
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  2. josephite

    josephite Powers

    Beautiful thoughts Mark !


    Above you consider....."Relationships are a give and take. If one-sided, it is not a truly loving relationship, but one party using the other. The more self-centred one is, the more isolated, though that isolation may be thought of as independence. So friendships, family relationships, and marriages can end".


    However, I believe that for Catholic's 'this one sided relationship'.... is where Love actually starts!


    In any relationship [but especially marriage] ' if one sided' , then the self centred person is in need of Love! Love is definitely hard to give to such a person!


    The righteous person in the relationship is called to undergo terrible sufferings which may last many years, therefore the demands of steadfast love require many graces from God and a deep prayer life; to continue undaunted to love the unlovable is divine! and this is accomplished only by embracing Gods gift of long suffering!


    The self centred person will hopefully and eventually soften to Gods almighty love, shown by this other person in the relationship!


    I believe that if the self centred person does not soften to God’s Love then the sufferings of the person who has loved much for this soul, will merit graces for other people and these graces will be used by God for other great purposes.

    The graces drawn from these suffering are never lost!

    Just my thoughts.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2018
    soldier of christ and Mark Dohle like this.
  3. Mark Dohle

    Mark Dohle Powers

    Each person has to work on how they relate to, well, everyone. To love those who use us, could be an act of virture, or it could be self destructive as well. When we love ourselves as Jeus 'commanded' us to, it is then that we can truly love and help others, even if at times we may have to withdraw. There is not one magic key to life ;-), each day we move forward hopefully in freedom that comes from a life attuned to the Holy Spirit.

    Peace
    mark
     
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  4. josephite

    josephite Powers

    I suppose I do wipe the dust off my feet with some people; because as you say the relationship could be self destructive and toxic.

    I think marriage is different though! When one marries it sometimes requires a superhuman ability to remain loving by utilising all the God given graces and blessings one recieved at the moment of their sacramental marriage.

    I am not saying that some sacramental marriages are too toxic to live in. In fact I know [through a priests story] of a poor woman who had seven boys and a very abusive husband!

    She left the relationship when her seventh son was born, to protect herself and the boys! She never remarried and never got an annullment, she lived a holy life and struggled to raise her boys on her own and brought them up in the faith. This priest was the eldest son of this holy woman!
     
  5. soldier of christ

    soldier of christ Archangels

    My thoughts exactly. To me sometimes it is much easier to love a stranger than it is to love your own family members.
     
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  6. Mark Dohle

    Mark Dohle Powers

    Yes, I agree. Each relationship is unique.

    Peace
    mark
     
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  7. Mark Dohle

    Mark Dohle Powers

    Yes, starngerscome and go, not lasting sturggle ;-).

    Peace
    mark
     
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