Spiritual Munchies

Every once in a while, it seems the Holy Spirit guides me to some new understanding.  Usually, this guidance is related to parenting, but the epiphanies occur randomly and in many situations.  The goal of this page is to capture these little epiphanies to share with others.  Just a little food for thought - a theological appetizer.

3/24/2021

So its been a while and there have been a LOT of epiphanies in the ensuing years.  But of course I cannot recollect them all now.  I’ll share the most recent one.

I recently completed the first course for a potential masters degree in pastoral ministry.  Potential means that I’m not sure yet that I’m going for the degree - but I did complete “Spiritual Accompaniment”.  Our instructor, who also has significant hospital, hospice and prison chaplain experience, emphasized the importance of listening well.  One of our text’s was Robert Mundle’s, “How to Be an Even Better Listener”.  Not surprisingly, a lot of that has to do with listening with one’s whole self and asking open ended questions.  

Then, this evening, through the classes provided by the Institute for Leadership in Ministry, we completed our discussion on the sacraments of healing: reconciliation and anointing of the sick.  Our instructor spoke of his ministry as a hospital chaplain and the care provided not just in the act of anointing someone, but chatting with them and listening to them.

It was then that I realized that the sacraments of healing are also significantly sacraments of listening.  Through the priest’s (and Christ’s) listening, we are reconciled with Him and his church and ourselves.  A good confessor will provide thoughtful guidance on avoiding the sins in the future (and even provide better awareness of the root or source of the problem).  This guidance stems from effective listening.  When an ill person (and not just someone who is near death) experiences the sacrament of anointing, the priest often spends time listening to them and asking questions that may help them better understand what they’re going through or simply relieve the pressure of the suffering.  

When has being listened to healed you? Or helped you heal? 

9/10/2016

Cats are never more affectionate that when they want to be fed.  I woke up to Natalie, our 12 pounder, sitting upon my chest – staring upon my face - as if the staring would wake me.  As I pet her and scratched her at the base of her ears, I had the epiphany that we humans often use prayer the same way: when we want something.  “Heal so and so, help me through thus and such…”.  Cats, especially, will never express thanks through any action (or even worship as dogs might).  

We do not need our pets.  But they most definitely need us for food, shelter, safety and affection.  I AM NOT saying we are God’s pets.  He does not treat us that way.  We are his adopted sons and daughters with free will to ignore or follow Him.  Nevertheless, He does not need us.

This all led me to think that prayer is for us.  It enables us to acknowledge our limitations, consider all that we are thankful for, as well as worship the Creator. That is the speaking part of prayer.  The other half, meditation, is listening.  And even with two ears, that's always the harder of the two, isn't it?  Whether we're listening to each other, or God.  We simply don't always hear what's spoken.