My novice master once told me, “The moment you think you’ve got it figured out is the moment you get in trouble.” This simple and unassuming man, who would have rather been immersed in parish life instead of being thrust into the spotlight atop the holy mountain of our novitiate, spoke directly to my soul. The grasping at images and ideas of myself, the desperate attempt to fulfill expectations that others had laid upon me, and the need to control my life had, in fact, gotten me into trouble! His words were an invitation to freedom, surrender, and deep trust in the living God. The next time, therefore, we think we’ve “got it right,” let’s catch the accompanying dopamine hit which keeps us at the surface and obscures the deeper reality. We shall gradually be released from the safe, yet stuffy and fearful, container of the self and be introduced to some mysterious horizon with new possibilities and hope. In this way, our psychological coffin will finally be buried and we will be at peace. Ave Crux, Spes Unica.
“To have without holding” by Marge Piercy
Thank you yet again!
Figuring it out….
Yes, but I need to try to “work” it out!
depending on that loving God of ours!!!
Amen! Let’s spend eternity working it out with Jesus, all shall be well!