Chatting about: Contemplation and Loving God

Judy (Guest): Well, I’m ready to jump on with question 1. It would be more likely, I think, for the farmet to love God more that the blind man. jAlthough he may know the discourses of the philosphers, such discourses might not lead him to God, but rather, away from Him. depending upon the subject of the discourse. the farmer, on the other hand, has knowledge of the splendor of the rising sun, shich can easily move him to thoughts of the Creatos and then to loving Him in return for gifts like the sunrise.

Judy (Guest): The other difference lies in the subject matter of the knowledge. Is the subject matter something than can lead to thoughts and reflections on God.

Judy (Guest): Again, it may be the matters in which they are well educated.

Judy (Guest): I think that certain philosophies can as easily lead one to reject God, as to help them to find Him.

Judy (Guest): Yes, in my early religious education days, we too were learning with a basis in memorization. But somehow, the concept of loving God was transmitted also.

Judy (Guest): Perhaps in learning that time honored response to the Baltimore Catechism question, why did God make you-–God made me to know Him, to love Him to serve Him in this life and to be happy with Him in the life to come. The catechism tells that one of our purposes is to love God.

Judy (Guest): E.G Who is God? God is the Supreme Being Who made all things and Who keeps them in existence. I am amazed at how much I remember from those early day.

Judy (Guest): A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.

Judy (Guest): I guess the Sisters who taught me in elementary school did a good job.

Judy (Guest): A good introduction to the second question-–Knowledge and learning can obscure the love of God when they are focused wholly on worldly matters and perhpas geared toward the attainment of wealth or material goods. E.G someone who has learned a great deal about art and has amassed a great collection of art works but makes no connection between the art and the Giver of the talent to create art.

Judy (Guest): And as we grew up, the answers stayed with us as we began to grow in a real relationship with God, a relationship of love.

Judy (Guest): That might have a book for preparation for First Eucharist.

Judy (Guest): When I was in first grade, our catechism was called “Jesus and I.“

Judy (Guest): I sure would love to get a copy of that old book now.

Judy (Guest): I think that we can know if we love God if we are keeping His commandments, for openers.

Judy (Guest): But of course, one might keep the commandments out of fear rather than of love so there is more involved than just observing the law. Our love for God needs to be affective, that is, a matter of the heart, rather than just of the intellect or the will.

Judy (Guest): Jesus tells us to love Him with our whole heart, that is with all of our affections.

Judy (Guest): I remember thinking that the book “the Dark Night of the Soul” would be a heavy and depressing one. But when I read it, I found it to be uplifting and very beautiful. However, right now I cannot recall what it said.

Judy (Guest): The clever and learned men, in order to grow in devotion, must begin to focus their attention on God, His virtues, His gifts to mankind and to take pleasure in a relationship with this God. As his knowledge or God increases, his devotion to God will surely grow as well.

Judy (Guest): Knowledge of God, not or.

Judy (Guest): That starry sky always reminds me of luxurious black velvet studded with every so many diamonds.

Judy (Guest): Last question on how to grow in contemplative prayer. Reflecting more on the Scriptures, on the life and works of Jesus, on His goodness and love would be the beginning of movement to contemplative prayer. But it is necessary to seek silence and solitude to allow the Word to sink into us and allow ourselver to “just be” i the presence of the Lord, listening to His voice more than speaking to Him.

Judy (Guest): Just be IN the presence of the Lord.

Judy (Guest): That is what is so beautiful about Eucharistic adoration. It is usually done in silence. Just me and Jesus, and an ability to at least try to listen to Him rather than just blathering on as I am often doing. That silence is so precious.

Judy (Guest): Our celebrant this morning incorporated some baby sounds into his homily It was a good thing.

Judy (Guest): I mean sounds that were actually made by a baby and he would affirm what the little one was babbling.

Judy (Guest): Well, everyone, I guess that we need to think about acquiring a more contemplative mind set this week so that we can enter more closely into the events of Holy Week. I will be having my feet washed on Holy Thursday. that is always a very humbling experience. And I will be a lector on Easter Sunday. What a joy! I wish all of you a reflective and truly involved Holy Weed and an Easter Sunday filled with the joy of the Resurrection. I would think that we could skip chat on Easter. People will be with families