If I were giving a commencement address to this year’s graduating class, I would say, “Make your life a solar flare!” It’s so easy to live a lukewarm life, in front of the television, going through the motions, but we human beings are spiritual machines with energy constantly coursing through our veins. When we do not recognize and honor that energy, it comes out in funny ways: for some addiction to pornography, for others alcoholic drinking, for others obsessive thinking, or any other number of neurotic behaviors! A solar flare might initially scare us because of our inability to control where it goes and how long it lasts. Indeed, we might have tried to unleash our inner power in the past only to get burned in the process. Nevertheless, we must go beyond repression and find creative ways to let our little light shine. Maybe we take the risk of looking for a fun part time job, getting that tattoo we’ve always wanted, signing over our long-coveted stocks to a charity, picking up the phone and making amends to someone, or seeing what it’s like to take the bus to work. Our inner solar flare is guaranteed to be beautiful – however it is manifested – so long as it springs forth from “the light of the world” (Jn 8:12) in whom “there is no darkness” (1 Jn 1:5). Ave Crux, Spes Unica!
Voice of Moreau 
Thanks for posting this. It reminds me of a story from the writings of the Desert Fathers:
Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said: “Abba, as much as I am able I practice a small rule, a little fasting, some prayer and meditation, and remain quiet, and as much as possible I keep my thoughts clean. What else should I do?” Then the old man stood up and stretched out his hands toward heaven, and his fingers became like ten torches of flame. And he said: “Why not be turned into fire?”
Thanks Chris, this is an awesome story!!!!
And amen – if it’s not fire, then what’s the point?
Not only the thought provoking words…and then a celestial event!!! Thank you yet again! Margaret csc
On Fri, Jan 28, 2022 at 11:53 PM Voice of Moreau wrote:
> Brothers Phil and Ben posted: ” If I were giving a commencement address to > this year’s graduating class, I would say, “Make your life a solar flare!” > It’s so easy to live a lukewarm life, in front of the television, going > through the motions, but we human beings are spiritual machines” >
Amen! Thank you Margaret!
?and was struck by the “taking the bus to work”
a challenge???
but in the days when I was going to work by bus, the busses were pretty regular! and if the driver saw you running from down the street, if he could , he would wait foryou!
Thank you again for your fine “everyday” thoughts! unto the sublime!
Margaret csc
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Margaret! You spoil us with your insights and good will. Peace to you and thank you!!!!!!!!