Filed under: My prayers, Politic, prayers | Tags: christian spirituality, Christianity, contemplative prayer, Democratic National Convention, Discipleship, Mysticism, Nonviolence, Nonviolent Activism, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republican National Convention, spiritual formation, spirituality, Theology
Oh God, there’s a glorious and powerful political convention coming to town.
Many think these people will protect us and keep us safe from evil.
Have mercy on us.
Many have given them their hope.
Have mercy on us.
Many have sworn to them their allegiance.
Have mercy on us.
Many have raised the flag above the cross.
Have mercy on us.
Help all of us, oh God, to be reminded of the difference between your kingdom and man’s kingdom.
Your order is full of peace, justice, compassion, and love.
Peace that ends war.
Justice that cares for the poor.
Compassion that understands an enemy’s story.
Love that sacrifices itself for a neighbor.
Man’s kingdom is full of sin: twisted politics, empty promises, gaudy rhetoric, corruption, and military violence.
Help us, oh God, to see the difference.
Be with the police this week, oh God.
As they are armed with tear gas, clubs, and guns; may such things stay holstered.
Have mercy on them and protect them from any harm.
Help them to maintain order in a humane way.
Let them look into the eyes of the protestors and see your divine creation.
Be with those who are protesting this week, oh God.
Have mercy on them and may their activism be nonviolent and non-passive.
Let them look into the eyes of the delegates and policemen and see your divine creation.
Let their marching beat like a drum for justice.
Let their chanting sound like a trumpet for peace.
Let their presence send a message of truth.
If there is violence, may it expose the wickedness of the perpetrator; may it stir empathy for the victim and the oppressed.
At the end of this convention, at the end of this election, you are the everlasting God.
Some day, this earthly kingdom will find its end, as all do.
Your mustard seed kingdom has no end and is unstoppable.
Yours is the power and the glory forever and ever.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Filed under: Saint Teresa of Avila | Tags: christian spirituality, Christianity, contemplative prayer, Discipleship, God, Mysticism, Religion, spiritual formation, spirituality, St. Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle
Since writing her spiritual classic The Interior Castle in 1577, few mystics have articulated the ways of the soul to such a degree as Teresa of Avila. Using the metaphor of a “diamond” or “crystal” building of moradas (mansions), the Spanish saint illuminates a pathway of the soul into deep intimacy and communion with God. She reminds us ever so gracefully that “the door of entry to this castle is prayer and meditation”. Poetically painting a magnificent picture of the spiritual life, St. Teresa’s writing is as inspirational as it is informative.
Let us now imagine that this castle, as I have said, contains many mansions, some above, others below, others at each others side; and in the center and the midst of them all is the chiefest mansion where the most secret things pass between God and the soul.
St. Teresa, The Interior Castle (New York: Doubleday, reprinted 1989) 29.
