Pax Christi South

Palms Reflecting in Pond at Sunrise

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. (Jn 16)

First, Richard Rohr reminds us that John’s Gospel presents the mystical vision of the Christ. That insight has helped me better understand John. The mystical tradition has long been subjugated in the church. Some people would hold that Julian of Norwich was a great mystical theologian, somewhat lesser status than a dogmatic theologian. The fact is that Julian of Norwich was a great theologian! Continue Reading

God SPRINGing Forth Click to enlarge

After I wrote yesterday’s reflection, I was walking myself and my dog, Spike-my 9 pound Min Pin (Miniature Pincher). Instead of listening to Irish traditional music, I decided to listen to some blues on my IPod.

It is important to know that the blues are deeply rooted in African American spirituality-the very spirituality which helped them endure the depravity of oppression. One song caught my attention.  It was We’re Gonna Make It. The song is so appropriate for today and the current economic climate. Continue Reading

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Mountain Peace - Click for larger panorama

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

At his farewell banquet, Jesus continues to teach his followers. He wants them to understand that the peace, the shalom, he gives is not the peace the world gives. Continue Reading

Jesus came into the darkness. Jesus came to set us free. Jesus came to give us sight. Jesus said, “I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.”

Merton teaches that we find God in darkness. His is an apophatic theology which says we can speak of God only by way of negation. In his early years, Merton subscribed to John of the Cross’ theology which speaks of the “dark night of the soul.” Later, Merton’s interests would shift to a more positive mystical approach such as that of Julian of Norwich. Continue Reading

Jesus continues the Eucharistic dialogue with his followers in John 6:

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said,
“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”
As a result of this,
many of his disciples returned to their former way of life
and no longer walked with him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

“This is my body broken for you. This is my blood poured out for you. Do this in memory of me.” Continue Reading

Saul hears the words on the road to Damascus, “I am Jesus whom, you are persecuting.” Jesus identifies himself with the victims of Saul’s hatred for Christian. In so doing, Jesus reaffirms his identity with the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized throughout history. Saul is blinded. He lives in darkness. Jesus will remove the scales. Paul will see the light and the world will be changed. Continue Reading

In Acts (5:17-26) the angel told the miraculously released prisoners to go to the Temple and tell the people about this life. The reference is probably to the Christian life-the life of the followers of the nascent Jesus Movement. It could also reflect an emphasis on this life-life in the world. Continue Reading

The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them. . .(Acts 4:32-33) Here we see the early Jesus movement living according to Gospel values. This is not socialism. This is living the Gospel. Continue Reading

Calm after the Storm

Yesterday at this time the sky was dark and severe storms were wending their way toward us. The weather people on TV worked furiously to chart the court of the storm cells. It will be in Christmas, Florida (Yes there is a town near Titusville known as Christmas.) at 9:24, etc. . . . They issued frantic warnings about severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings. The stormy day ended with a brilliant sunset that turned a nearby pond red.

Today the sky is chamber of commerce blue tinted with a few fleecy white clouds. The winds are calm and a nice day is forecast. Continue Reading

The Easter mystery seems to be becoming more complex. Some scripture scholars debate the fact of a corporeal resuscitation of Jesus body. Others staunchly defend the bodily resurrection of Jesus. Endless discussion about endless possibilities only clouds my thinking.

What I do know is that something wonderful happened that first Easter and Jesus’ followers and the world have never been the same. Merton says that we end up confusing ourselves when we get tied up in theological debates. We acknowledge the Trinity-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Do I need to be able to explain the intricacies of the mystery of the Trinity? Mystery defies definition. Continue Reading