I just started and am soooo grateful for you all talking about the cross. But I want to respond to how you say those of us with individualistic faith wind up lonely in our old age. This seems very true. What an interesting insight that all that busy church work didn’t stand people in good stead as far as community. (At least that’s what think you said.)
I also think our culture doesn’t lend itself to community. People are so busy with their own lives and families they don’t have time for friendship. Not having children doesn’t help. As an elder I don’t quite know how build community or find friends. I take comfort in your story about the missionary who was isolated who dug down deep in her relationship with Jesus. (I know that contradicts the point you are making in the first part of your podcast.) Well that’s part of what I know on this. Thank you again.
"Busy church work doesn't stand people in good stead." — I'll remember that. A good word.
I wouldn't say Alice Doering's story contradicts the point, but be that as it may, the Lord is always faithful, no matter how we fail. And even in community, the very best of communities, we still need, as you say, to dig down deep in our relationship with Jesus.
Well “busy church work” came out of your podcast. Alice Doering’s story has brought me much comfort as I work out loneliness, solitude, community. Thank you so much for your ministry and soul challenging and filling posts and for responding here.
Misconception No 2. “Jesus on the cross is abandoned because the Father turns away from him because the Father cannot look at sin.”. One of the gifts of Holy Week for me this year was listening to the BBC Wreath Lectures 2024. Given by Dr Gwen Adstead, a Forensic Psychiatrist (and Christian) talking about violence. She has spent a good part of her life doing therapy, often long term, with murderers - sitting with people who are deep in shame and self hatred for what they have done - her face turned towards them in love (not to excuse/minimise but to understand and heal). The posture of Jesus and the Father.
A helpful comment about loneliness as one ages. In my 70s and feeling this intensely. I'll be thinking about the possible connection to our idea of individual salvation. There's also the reality that society values those who are contributing to it and seniors are seen as taking rather than giving.
I can very much relate to your being in your 70's and feeling this intensely.. And yet, and yet it's a loss that people see us as taking rather than giving because we have so much to offer. And perhaps the service to us is offering the opportunity to clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prison that Jesus calls us to, because He dwells within that service. We visited a neighbor who is in comfort care, and afterwards I felt a kind of joy being able to sit with him and offer my husband's and my company.
But people have been schooled in the virtues of being too busy and not in the value of friendship. We are told we need community for our health, but sometimes it doesn't seem our community wants us. And being lonely pushes people away. That prayer "Into your hands I commit my spirit," sounds very healing as we face decrease.
Thank you both for these honest and faithful reflections. This too is a gift you’re giving us, giving me. Simply reporting back on what it means to walk with Jesus in the winter season of life is an act of offering that serves us all, whether we realize it yet or not.
I listened to the end. There was so much there. As I mention below, the prayer, "Into Your Hands I commend my spirit" might be a hinge to draw my focus back to beholding. The Jesus Prayer works, but when I'm afraid, and I am often, this prayer draws me to the Father, whose love is beyond what we can apprehend.
Also you touched on joy--how we can also be afraid of joy as well. Parker Palmer mentioned the poetry collection called Threatened by Resurrection, which is a title that speaks to our drawing back from new creation, from receiving the goodness of the Lord when the difficulties of life ease up.
At any rate thank you so very much for this life giving conversation.
I just started and am soooo grateful for you all talking about the cross. But I want to respond to how you say those of us with individualistic faith wind up lonely in our old age. This seems very true. What an interesting insight that all that busy church work didn’t stand people in good stead as far as community. (At least that’s what think you said.)
I also think our culture doesn’t lend itself to community. People are so busy with their own lives and families they don’t have time for friendship. Not having children doesn’t help. As an elder I don’t quite know how build community or find friends. I take comfort in your story about the missionary who was isolated who dug down deep in her relationship with Jesus. (I know that contradicts the point you are making in the first part of your podcast.) Well that’s part of what I know on this. Thank you again.
"Busy church work doesn't stand people in good stead." — I'll remember that. A good word.
I wouldn't say Alice Doering's story contradicts the point, but be that as it may, the Lord is always faithful, no matter how we fail. And even in community, the very best of communities, we still need, as you say, to dig down deep in our relationship with Jesus.
Well “busy church work” came out of your podcast. Alice Doering’s story has brought me much comfort as I work out loneliness, solitude, community. Thank you so much for your ministry and soul challenging and filling posts and for responding here.
Misconception No 2. “Jesus on the cross is abandoned because the Father turns away from him because the Father cannot look at sin.”. One of the gifts of Holy Week for me this year was listening to the BBC Wreath Lectures 2024. Given by Dr Gwen Adstead, a Forensic Psychiatrist (and Christian) talking about violence. She has spent a good part of her life doing therapy, often long term, with murderers - sitting with people who are deep in shame and self hatred for what they have done - her face turned towards them in love (not to excuse/minimise but to understand and heal). The posture of Jesus and the Father.
A helpful comment about loneliness as one ages. In my 70s and feeling this intensely. I'll be thinking about the possible connection to our idea of individual salvation. There's also the reality that society values those who are contributing to it and seniors are seen as taking rather than giving.
I can very much relate to your being in your 70's and feeling this intensely.. And yet, and yet it's a loss that people see us as taking rather than giving because we have so much to offer. And perhaps the service to us is offering the opportunity to clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prison that Jesus calls us to, because He dwells within that service. We visited a neighbor who is in comfort care, and afterwards I felt a kind of joy being able to sit with him and offer my husband's and my company.
But people have been schooled in the virtues of being too busy and not in the value of friendship. We are told we need community for our health, but sometimes it doesn't seem our community wants us. And being lonely pushes people away. That prayer "Into your hands I commit my spirit," sounds very healing as we face decrease.
Thank you both for these honest and faithful reflections. This too is a gift you’re giving us, giving me. Simply reporting back on what it means to walk with Jesus in the winter season of life is an act of offering that serves us all, whether we realize it yet or not.
I listened to the end. There was so much there. As I mention below, the prayer, "Into Your Hands I commend my spirit" might be a hinge to draw my focus back to beholding. The Jesus Prayer works, but when I'm afraid, and I am often, this prayer draws me to the Father, whose love is beyond what we can apprehend.
Also you touched on joy--how we can also be afraid of joy as well. Parker Palmer mentioned the poetry collection called Threatened by Resurrection, which is a title that speaks to our drawing back from new creation, from receiving the goodness of the Lord when the difficulties of life ease up.
At any rate thank you so very much for this life giving conversation.
Fr. Christopher, what book of prayers from Rahner is that final prayer in? Prayers for a Lifetime?
That’s it! In prayers on Christ’s seven last words.
Thanks!