The depths of hell?

We bring down so-called condemnation upon ourselves. WE separate ourselves from Love – I do it all the time when I isolate and fall close to despair. THAT is hell - deliberately cutting ourselves off from avenues of Love. Hell is the absence of Love. Not because we hate God, not because of so-called sinful actions for which we do not receive Sacramental confession with the proper formulae. But because we do not believe we deserve Love. It is our own inner feelings of guilt and shame – exaggerated and blown all out of proportion in our minds, pounded into us from so many arenas - that cuts us off from God, the Eternal Lover. THAT is the “free will” that’s always talked about. And it is formidable. We do not grow horns and maniacally laugh with a pitchfork when we are in this hell, we do not/cannot get “tricked” into hell by some imp named Screwtape. We push Love away ourselves when in this hell, because Love is so very beautiful and we can sometimes become convinced that we are so very ugly. We become convinced of this sometimes by the very religious institutions that should be trumpeting God’s love rather than God’s condemnation. We refuse strenuously yet somehow longingly – because what does Love want with someone like us??  We are beloved children of God, before ANYTHING – who could be worthier of joining with the very source of Love??

As a Christian priest and sometimes-sufferer of this Hell, I cannot believe nor will I ever teach that an All-Loving God puts us in this state as punishment nor that this state is eternal. We all deserve Love. Even the people we hate deserve Love. Because our first role is Beloved of God. Hell is our own banishment of Love.

THE SANCTIFYING LOVE OF GOD WILL WAIT FOR US, however long it takes.

Daily Mass Readings 

Acts 16:22-34

Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8

John 16:5-11

Disability, spiritual cottages & Home

 

We went to the Long Island Beltaine festival on Saturday and I celebrated Mass that evening – it was really a good day. The following day, I was hurting and I let the idea of being disabled and the Sunday Blues get to me. I wound up rising earlier than usual yesterday (thanks to a cranky dog), but I made use of the time. Took my time showering, dressing, and praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

But the big deal, the big hump was Saturday the day of the festival; on the weekends, I cling to the idea that I can ONLY do one thing a day, and my body kind of shuts down after that. My spine, muscles, not to mention my depression, demand it. The fact that we went to Beltaine AND I celebrated Mass is huge. They BOTH went well and that is what I need to build on.

Also, it’s time to stop with being ultra distracted by other intriguing faiths. I love Buddhism and the various Pagan faiths like Wicca and Druidry; I have cultivated these beautiful and welcoming spiritual cottages everywhere.

But my forever Home is the Christian Church. 

Not the one that calls me an enemy of God. No more. I'm referring to the fellowship in that Jesus – my brother, my friend, my God – loves me, is patient with me, and will always be there for me.  Where we lift each other up instead of cut people down in guilt and shame.

THAT is the Christian Church. THAT is my Church.

Daily Mass Readings

Acts 14:19-28

Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21

John 14:27-31a

🙏🙏🙏

Nothing much to say but this... the day is beautiful and it is such a privilege to be of service as the priest of a loving God.

Daily Mass Readings 

Acts 14:5-18

Psalm 115:1-4,15-16

John 14:21-26