Posted by jb on September 22, 19100 at 21:57:04:
In Reply to: Re: Levels of consciousness (Protestantism/Catholicism) posted by jboy on September 22, 19100 at 21:19:54:
And so I close with a prayer:
Thank You, Lord Jesus
For supplying our souls
nurturance
sustenance
replenishment
renewal
healing
ongoing
in prayer
in Eucharist
in liturgy
of the seasons
of the hours
never old
always new
in thanksgiving
memorial
covenant
with meal
bread, wine
with presence
in presiders
in Word
in Sacrament
reconciling
repenting again
metanoia anew
always turning away
from this idol or that
always turning toward
You
my brothers
my sisters
my Beloved
now desolate
now consoled
now strengthened
and so discerning
in community
transforming me
transforming us
your Kingdom now
and so we pray
OUR Father
Thy Kingdom come
for assuredly there's much climbing yet to do
as we ascend Carmel
for assuredly there are many rooms in your house
within which we have yet to dwell
as we explore our Interior Mansions
for assuredly the water is for the flowers
but the fountain within flows only intermittantly
in accordance with your Will
and my well is now dry
waiting, like Simone, like Therese,
like Teresa of Jesus
for the rain of your consolations
and my vision is now clouded
like the pilgrim of unknowing
like Saints James and Paul
seeing dimly as in a mirror
like all who await the clear
Beatific Vision
which we only glimpse in our transfigurations
and though we seek to pitch a tent
down the mountain you send us
for we are not ready to abide in your Glory
but are here in what Scott Peck calls
the cosmic boot camp
learning, ever-learning, how to love
always traveling
never finally arriving
each day praying to
see thee more clearly
love thee more dearly
follow thee more nearly
and I approach
always approach
not worthy to receive You
BUT
say only the Word
and my soul WILL be healed
for you came to call, not the well
not the righteous
but me
sick
sinful
and for those of us whom you have loved the most
who have tasted your Glory
experienced the mountaintop
have known great intimacy
have enjoyed Betrothal
we are the Greatest Sinners of All
when we turn
as we will
however briefly
away
and so, like Teresa of Avila
our claim to being the worst of all sinners
is true and no mere pious mumbling
for to those whom much has been given
much you rightfully expect
and if anyone should claim, as John says
there is no sin within
they know not
via
veritas
vita
felix culpa