*****
GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE
Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address:
waholst@telus.net
Colleagues List Web Site:
http://colleagueslist.blogspot.com
"Quicklinks" are included with many items
at the beginning of this issue. To get a more
complete picture, however, scroll down to
find your special selection in the body of
the blog.
*****
Dear Friends:
Last September 21st's Colleagues List
issue featured Richard's Rohr's book
"Eager to Love - the Alternative Way of
St. Francis of Assisi."
http://tinyurl.com/nq66z83
That issue earned more than 3,000 hits,
and remains a record for my CL blog.
This week, I am pleased to introduce
the latest book by Richard Rohr:
"What the Mystics Know:
Seven Pathways to your Deeper Self"
It is a summary of his 25 years of writing
in one comprehensive and well-presented
volume.
I hope you will enjoy reading about it.
http://tinyurl.com/ojn6okq
http://tinyurl.com/br8cdl
--
Colleague Contributions - this week are from:
Jim Taylor (Okanagan BC) who writes about -
"Emotional Pain"
http://tinyurl.com/kvfb3s2
Martin Marty (Chicago IL) who presents -
"Bible Society Museum"
http://tinyurl.com/p2dapu5
Harry Winter (St. Paul MN) who considers -
"Witnessing to Muslims"
http://tinyurl.com/pz9e4sc
It is an ecumenical approach worth reading
Ron Rolheiser (San Antonio TX) who reflects on -
"Evolution's Ultimate Wisdom"
http://tinyurl.com/lm4x3yr
For more detail, please scroll down.
--
Net Notes - here are ten web items appearing
this week and worth considering -
"A Violent Sorting Out" - an analysis of the
Current Mid-East Conflict by Michael Landis,
Specialist. Very helpful (Christian Century)
http://tinyurl.com/kb4ly3z (also)
"Pope Seeks Way Out of Wilderness
for Middle East Churches in Conflict"
(The Tablet, UK) http://tinyurl.com/nf638da
"How to Remember Dachau" Seventy Years
After Liberation - there is value in revisiting.
My last stop there was in 1967 (America)
http://tinyurl.com/kcy9l69
"Major Regime Change in Alberta" - History
was made in Alberta this week as the
Conservative government, in office for
44 years, fell dramatically to a socialist
surge led by Rachel Notley of the New
Democrats (Metro, CBC, Globe and Mail)
http://tinyurl.com/pgczwlz
http://tinyurl.com/pru6994
http://tinyurl.com/khel4ao
"Forgotten Voices of War Crying Out" -
We Grow Immune to Hearing, says
Joan Chittister (National Catholic Reporter)
http://tinyurl.com/ntvkotz
"Liberating All Beings from Suffering" - and
that includes women (Sightings)
http://tinyurl.com/qcwt83x
"Understanding Islam Key to Gospel Witness" -
old friend Gordon Nickel with a doctorate
(Calgary) in Qur'anic studies, writes from an
evangelical perspective. He differs somewhat
from Harry Winter, above on the meaning of
dialogue with Islam (Christian Week online)
http://tinyurl.com/kzy2ebc
"Attempts to Save Christian History from ISIS" -
ancient artifacts are at risk from radical Islam
and we must do something about it now
(Christianity Today) http://tinyurl.com/pl9wlke
"Welcoming the Young to Mainline Congregations"-
seven suggestions to consider from evangelical
blogger Rachel Held Evans (via Sojourners)
http://tinyurl.com/mwrvzvd
"'In Flander's Fields' - Canada's War Poem
Turns 100" - who does not know this famous
poem? but here is some background on the
manicured American battle cemetery in
Belgium that Marlene and I visited seven
years ago (Yahoo News)
http://tinyurl.com/kjl9r68
"Nepal's Christians Return to Worship
After Earthquake - here is the story from
a Catholic perspective (UCA News)
http://tinyurl.com/nugt4mz
--
Wisdom of the Week -
Comes to us via Sojourner and Bruderhof online:
Saint Teresa of Avila, Roman Emperor Julian,
Virginia Woolf, Philip Yancey, Cyprian of Carthage,
Angela Y. Davis and Henri Nouwen
Please scroll down to read them.
--
On This Day -
Provided from the Archives
of the New York Times:
"Mandela Becomes S. Africa's First Black President"
http://tinyurl.com/cjpt5jp
"US National Guard Kill 4 Kent State Students"
http://tinyurl.com/djw7qe
"Wounded Knee Native Occupation Ends"
http://tinyurl.com/llcc95u
"Germany Surrenders Unconditionally
to End WWII in Europe"
http://tinyurl.com/a6rcoqm
--
Closing Thought - Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt
Scroll to the end of the blog to read this.
(end)
Want to keep up with our Adult Ministry
Program at St. David's Calgary?
Our Fall Program Planning Begins -
Autumn 2015 Adult Spiritual Development
ACTS Ministry Programs at St. David's United
and at the University of Calgary
Scroll to the end of the blog, please.
*****
SPECIAL ITEM
Book Notice -
WHAT THE MYSTICS KNOW
Seven Pathways to
Your Deeper Self,
by Richard Rohr
The Crossroad Publishing Company
New York. Released May, 2015
155 pages. $17.25 CAD.
ISBN #978-0824520397
Publisher's Promo:
Drawing from the best and most poetic
of Richard Rohr’s essays from nearly a
quarter of a century, each chapter in this
new collection examines one of the seven
core mystical truths. Organized according
to the mystical paths that every worshiper
must follow, Rohr identifies the despair of
everyday life, promotes opportunities for
change even in the face of pain, thereby
transforming one's deeper self into a
beacon of light that aids in the perpetual
metamorphosis of others. Illuminating
these insights with reflections on Christian
and Jewish scriptures while citing the
greatest religious writers throughout
the ages, Rohr offers an unparalleled
window into the wisdom of the mystics,
within a succinct volume that represents
the best treasury of his vast library of
writing.
writing.
--
Author's Words:
We have failed our people profoundly by
mystifying the very notion of mysticism.
(But) can seeing with the eyes of mystics
really have relevance in our busy modern
world? I think it is not only relevant but
absolutely necessary to change our levels
of consciousness, which many religious
traditions might have also called growth
in holiness or divine union.
Through a regular practice of contemplation
we can awaken to the profound presence of
the unitive Spirit... Deeper levels of divine
union allow us to forgive and show
compassion toward more and more, even
those we are not naturally attracted to, or
even our enemies.
Through each of the seven pathways
outlined in this book, we can discover, in
the context of mature Christianity, or any
religion, the God who is "closer to me than
I am to myself."... Through the use of
scripture and both traditional and new
metaphors, I want to give thoughtful
guidance from classic sources so you
can know that your experience is not just
your experience, but the common domain
of the perennial, or wisdom traditions,
which will always come to the surface in
every age. How else can we distinguish
the guidance of the Holy Spirit from our
own egoic whims and fantasies?
Read a small passage of this book --
and carry it with you in your thoughts,
hearts and prayers throughout the day,
and then notice what rises up within you.
By applying what the mystics know to
you momentary outlook, you will be able
to bring openheartedness into the life
you lead and the work you do. Then you
might just be able to recognize that the
ordinary path can also be the way of
the mystic.
- from the Introduction
--
Author's Bio:
Richard Rohr is a well-known lecturer
who founded the Center for Action and
Contemplation.
who founded the Center for Action and
Contemplation.
He has been a featured essayist on the NPR
program This I Believe, was a guest on the
radio show Oprah and Friends, and appeared
in the documentary ONE, featuring spiritual
teachers from around the world. He is a regular
contributor to Sojourners and Tikkun magazines,
and he is the author of numerous bestselling
books, including Adam’s Return, The Enneagram,
Everything Belongs, and The Naked Now.
--
My Thoughts:
If you are looking for a book that will help you
understand many essentials of the mystical
religious experience - to say nothing of a
summary of much of what Richard Rohr has
written over a long career - I would like to
suggest you get a copy of this book and spend
time with it. "What the Mystics Know" can
introduce and support you in the wisdom
traditions of humanity's great faiths.
This book is grounded in the Christian
tradition, but - and because of this - it can
reach considerably beyond it to enhance
and expand that faith. Too many spiritual
leaders dabble in mysticism, cafeteria-style.
The result is a potpourri of "this and that."
It may sound good, but it lacks grounding -
as well as perspective and true breadth.
Because this book is written by an
experienced mystic, you will avoid a lot
of the pitfalls of so much "junk spirituality"
floating around out there.
This is not to say that Rohr is committed
to "follow the Christian party line." His
reputation as a challenge to official church
teachings should prepare us to read a
man who has had his confrontations with
authority. But that in itself can be viewed
as evidence of his considerable experience.
A true spiritual prophet for our time will
carry the requisite battle scars, and Rohr
carries them well. Like the true Franciscan
he is, Rohr offers us an "alternative orthodoxy"
or "orthopraxy" that can help us grow within,
and extend beyond our various faith traditions.
Here is a list of the seven "pathways" to
which he devotes a chapter in the book:
1. The enlightenment you see already
dwells within you
2. God is found in imperfection
3. From profound suffering come great
wisdom and joy
4. The mystical path is a celebration of
paradox
5. Contemplation means practicing
heaven now
6. To discover the truth you must
become the truth
7. When you are transformed, others
will be transformed through you
--
There are few spiritual guides alive and
available to us today with the substance
of Richard Rohr. That is why is it good he
keeps on writing, expanding, consolidating
and growing in his faith - and he is eager
to have us accompany him on the journey.
A most helpful book, worth securing.
--
Buy the book from Amazon.ca:
http://tinyurl.com/ojn6okq
COLLEAGUE COMMUNICATIONS
Jim Taylor
Okanagan BC
Personal Web Log
May 7th, 2015
"Emotional Pain"
http://tinyurl.com/kvfb3s2
Martin Marty
Chicago, IL
Sightings
May 5th, 2015
"Bible Society Museum"
http://tinyurl.com/p2dapu5
--
Harry Winter
St. Paul MN
OMI USA NEWS
May, 2015
"Witnessing to Muslims"
http://tinyurl.com/pz9e4sc
--
Ron Rolheiser
San Antonio TX
Personal Web Site
May 4th, 2015
"Evolution's Ultimate Wisdom"
http://tinyurl.com/lm4x3yr
*****
NET NOTES
A VIOLENT SORTING OUT
Current Mid-East Conflict
by Michael Landis, Specialist
Christian Century
April 30th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/kb4ly3z
"Pope Seeks Way Out of Wilderness
for Middle East Churches in Conflict"
The Tablet, UK
May 9th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/nf638da
--
Seventy Years After Liberation
America Magazine
April 29th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/kcy9l69
--
MAJOR REGIME CHANGE IN ALBERTA
Socialists In, Conservatives Out
After 44 Years. Total Seats 87,
69 New MLAs, 27 Women,
44 Incumbents Lost Seats
Only 18 members returning
Metro News
May 6th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/pgczwlz
CBC News
May 6th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/pru6994
Globe and Mail
May 6th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/khel4ao
--
FORGOTTEN VOICES OF WAR
CRYING OUT
We Grow Immune to Hearing
Joan Chittister
National Catholic Reporter
May 5th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/ntvkotz
--
LIBERATING ALL BEINGS
FROM SUFFERING
Women Included
Sightings
May 7th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/qcwt83x
--
LIBERATING ALL BEINGS
FROM SUFFERING
Women Included
Sightings
May 7th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/qcwt83x
--
UNDERSTANDING ISLAM KEY
TO GOSPEL WITNESS
Gordon Nickel on Islamic Dialogue
Christian Week
May 1st, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/kzy2ebc
--
HISTORY FROM ISIS
Ancient Artifacts are at Risk
from Radical Islam
Christianity Today
April 30th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/pl9wlke
--
WELCOMING THE YOUNG TO
MAINLINE CONGREGATIONS
Seven Suggestions to Consider
Rachel Held Evans' Blog (via Sojourners)
http://tinyurl.com/mwrvzvd
--
'IN FLANDER'S FIELDS' -
CANADA'S WAR POEM TURNS 100
Written to Commemorate WWI Battle
Yahoo News
May 3rd, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/kjl9r68
--
TO WORSHIP AFTER EARTHQUAKE
Evangelical Groups Hit Hardest
Christianity Today
May 4th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/nunqld6
Nepal Struggles to Provide
Last Rights for Dead
UCA News
May 5th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/nugt4mz
*****
WISDOM OF THE WEEK
Provided by Sojourners and
the Bruderhof Online:
Christ moves among the pots and pans.
- Saint Teresa of Avila
--
The godless Galileans feed our poor
in addition to their own.
- Roman Emperor Julian
--
If you do not tell the truth about yourself
you cannot tell it about other people.
- Virginia Woolf
--
The poor, the hungry, the mourners, and
the oppressed truly are blessed. Not because
of their miserable states, of course – Jesus
spent much of his life trying to remedy those
miseries. Rather, they are blessed because
of an innate advantage they hold over those
more comfortable and self-sufficient. People
who are rich, successful, and beautiful may
well go through life relying on their natural
gifts. People who lack such natural advantages,
hence underqualified for success in the kingdom
of this world, just might turn to God in their time
of need. Human beings do not readily admit
desperation. When they do, the kingdom of
heaven draws near.
- Philip Yancey
| -- It is not for oneself alone that each person asks to be forgiven, not to be led into temptation, or to be delivered from evil. Rather, we pray in public as a community, and not for one individual but for all. - Cyprian of Carthage -- Radical simply means 'grasping things at the root.' - Angela Y. Davis --
|
ON THIS DAY
Provided from the Archives
of the New York Times:
"Mandela Becomes S. Africa's First Black President"
http://tinyurl.com/cjpt5jp
"US National Guard Kill 4 Kent State Students"
http://tinyurl.com/djw7qe
"Wounded Knee Native Occupation Ends"
http://tinyurl.com/llcc95u
"Germany Surrenders Unconditionally
to End WWII in Europe"
http://tinyurl.com/a6rcoqm
*****
CLOSING THOUGHT -
CLOSING THOUGHT -
Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt
There remains a precious jewel in every person,
which is stronger than any outward pressure in
their lives. It remains inviolable, even in those
who feel that they are lost in their rottenness. No
matter how badly they have ruined their lives. this
jewel remains in them; it is as certain as that God
was reconciling the world to himself in Jesus Christ.
There is something in each person that will never be
lost, something that can always be resurrected.
That is the gospel.
(end)
*****
Our Fall Program Planning Begins -
Autumn 2015 Adult Spiritual Development
ACTS Ministry Programs at St. David's United
and at the University of Calgary:
ST. DAVID'S SPIRITUAL TRAVELERS'
SPECIAL 2015 SIXTEEN DAY TOUR
"Jerusalem and the Land of Three Great Faiths"
October 16th - 31st, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/plg4sgo
Hardcopy tour details brochure
is available at the church
Tour Company: Rostad Tours Calgary
Tour Hosts: Wayne and Marlene Holst
Sponsored by: St. David's ACTS Ministry
Endorsed by: St. David's Church Council
Talk with or write to Marlene and Wayne
(403-286-7416)waholst@telus.net
marleneaholst@gmail.com
This tour is filled up with 30 registrants.
Waiting List is open.
*****
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