The present moment is an important concept for those on the spiritual path, no matter what tradition is being followed. For it is in the moment that we are in touch with ‘now’ not worrying about the future or obsessing over the past. The concept of ‘mercy’ is also important, for it means that we have 70 X 7 new beginnings everyday. To understand that allows us to embrace life and to not allow despair or bitterness to take over even if the undertow is strong. We have a solid place on which to stand. The quote below was something I shared with one of the prisoners I write to. I am amazed at how fast he is growing and at the same time dealing with so much on so many levels. His health being one of them for there seems to be something major at work. They do not know what it is at this time, but it does not look good. Keep him in your prayers. His first name is Jean.
“This moment that you experience., your life now, is built on your past, and as you move into the future how you deal with this day will dictate how the others will be dealt with as well. Our small choices to have faith, or to be patient, or to not strike out, or to refrain from hating others but instead to seek mercy for them, are very important. Each moment has all that you need to find God’s will. The most loving thing is what we are called to do, when we fail, we simply get up an begin again trusting in the mercy of Jesus Christ and that we are always part of the dance of the Holy Trinity, in the very heart of it, for we carry the heart of Christ in our bodies if we allow him to grow in us ever more fully. The deeper we understand this; the deeper our union with all of mankind also grows. For as Christ grows in our hearts, so does our capacity in understanding that all hearts are in reality one, it is love that allows this to happen, all we need do is to trust and move forward, looking to Christ Jesus and not to ourselves.’
In each religious tradition there are concepts that are used to help the pilgrim to at least some understanding of the sufferings and tragedies that are so much a part of most lives. Being Catholic, the Passion of Christ for many helps them to face life and give meaning to it through the revelation of the Love of God as shown in Jesus Christ. I also talked about his illness:
“Life is hard, and when we experience diminishment it can be a true burden. We all live out the Passion of Christ in our lives my friend, we Christians can be more conscious of it. We are accompanied, the Lord tabernacles with us, we are protected, just not in ways that we would like. Being a pilgrim is a tough business and this life is full of suffering as well as joy and love and hate, the whole bundle. The Lord will make it so that it is love and that you seek and experience in ever more profound ways as the years continue to pass by ever more quickly”.
In any case, there are no easy answers, just ways of keep one foot in front of the others, one moment at a time.
Br. Mark Dohle, OCSO
Holy Spirit Monastery
