Month: February 2012

(Re) Discovering Your Sacred Rhythms in Lent

On By Julie McCartyIn Contemplative Living, Lent, PrayerLeave a comment

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.  –Mark 6:30-32.

In the beginning of the book Sacred Rhythms, Ruth Haley Barton describes a time she felt Christian fatigue syndrome. Although heavily involved in doing church activities and service for Christ, she no longer felt the joy and peace she expected to feel in giving her life so fully to God.

I believe that people who are alive with love for God sometimes can become so busy doing for God or for others, or learning about God, that they can forget to just spend quality time with God.

This situation is compounded by the fact that we live in a culture that heavily promotes busyness, high productivity, multitasking and, in general, doing over be-ing (the poor economy doesn’t help). People I know who visit other parts of the world often comment that people in other countries are not such workaholics. Some cultures have shorter work days, more vacation time, and longer lunch hours–and they actually think Americans are crazy to want to focus so much on their jobs over relaxation with family and friends.

For those of us who follow Christ, this raises an interesting question: How do we spend time with God? Certainly, God is always with us, everywhere we go, but how are we “with God”? That is, how do we find time to make our hearts and minds attentive to God’s presence in the midst of our everyday lives? How do we experience God?

One way is to examine how Jesus approached work and ministry. In the biblical passage above, the apostles are getting back together after having been sent out in pairs to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons. They have also just been given the news of the death of John the Baptist.

What Jesus does at this point in the story is rather remarkable. Jesus does not ask the disciples to use their success to build media hype. He doesn’t require new multitask methods to increase the profit margin (baptizing with one hand while healing the sick with the other?). Jesus doesn’t send them into battle to revenge the death of John the Baptist.

Instead, at the height of all their ministerial productivity and popularity, Jesus says:

Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.

I wonder if the disciples were surprised at this sudden shift of gears. Maybe they thought to themselves, Are you kidding? Didn’t you just commission us to spread the good news and heal the sick? Now you want us to ignore the needs of these people, escaping out into the wilderness? Could you make up your mind?

Jesus isn’t interested in milking the media, maximizing profit, or getting more done in less time. Jesus doesn’t view people as electronic gadgets that never need sleep (well, even those need recharging!). Jesus treats every disciple (and all people) the way best friends or intimate lovers treat each other, saying, in effect:

Let’s get out of here. Let’s go someplace where we can be alone.

In the story, Jesus and the disciples escape the crowd in the boat, going off to rest, to talk, to pray. The mob, with their many legitimate needs, would find them tomorrow, at which time they would be lovingly served.

People reading this blog do a great many things to serve and love God’s people–and what a great thing indeed that is! But among the many things you “do” this Lent, may God bless you with the rediscovery of quiet moments tucked here and there, an awareness of God’s presence during your work, or perhaps even a whole day or two to run away for a tryst with the One you love above all others.

Until next time, Amen!

Friends with You by John Denver

On By Julie McCartyIn Music and spirituality, Union with God / Each otherLeave a comment

You may be thinking I’m a little slow to sign up for Facebook. Now that I’m on there, I’m astounded at the number of past friends I’ve been able to connect with, if only just to see their photo faces smiling at me on my computer screen.

It makes me think of how we are all truly connected in the “mystical Body of Christ” or, to put it another way, the interconnectedness of all people so many spiritual writers ponder.

Saint Valentine’s Day is a good day for pondering the our many relationships. I think of John Denver’s song “Friends with You”:

Friends I will remember you, think of you
Pray for you
And when another day is through
I’ll still be friends with you

That’s how I feel about all of you: even when I am cooped up in my writer’s studio, I’m thinking about you, praying for you… and am grateful for your many prayers for me.

If you feel like a little break from your work, a mini-spiritual meditation, check out this short YouTube video set to the song:

[If you are receiving this in email, you may need to go to my blog to see the video. Or, visit YouTube and search “John Denver Friends with You.” The video is by Catbrush 123. ]

Happy Valentine’s Day–and, until next time, Amen!

Prayer Walking for Health of Body and Soul

On By Julie McCartyIn Prayer, Spiritual aerobics4 Comments

“Don’t pray, just walk!” he said forcefully. I couldn’t believe my ears. This priest—this strict, traditional, and prayerful priest—was telling me not to pray? 

When I protested that as an elementary school teacher and married woman I didn’t have time for walking every day, this busy pastor described his own “morning constitutional” (rain or shine) and the many personal benefits he’d reaped from this daily ritual. 

My personal and professional life had reached an all time high in stress. I had, after all, asked his advice. So, I laid out my teaching supplies each night, changed my alarm clock setting, and stopped off at a large park each morning on the way to work.

The discipline of getting up earlier and dressing for the weather was a little challenging at first, but as the weeks passed, I began to look forward to this time of silence before being swarmed with energetic children each day. I delighted in the changing colors of the wildflowers, the squirrels and bluebirds that darted and danced before me, and the huge expanse of the ever-changing morning sky.

And, I confess, I began to pray. I remembered that my pastor had said not to pray. But, when I saw a fresh carpet of snow, sparkling in the sunshine, I couldn’t help but thank the God for the beauty of nature. As I walked, I sometimes mused over various challenges in my career, devising new strategies for teaching, and the next thing I realized, I’d be asking the Lord for help with a “difficult” student. Other times, I would feel a quiet, peaceful feeling of solitude with God. I just couldn’t help but pray!

As a busy mom and teacher, Janet Holm McHenry has discovered that combining prayer and walking provides additional space for her personal prayer time. In her book, “PrayerWalk” (WaterBrook Press, 2001), McHenry explains that, although she is not a “morning person,” prayerwalking in the early morning works well with her family’s schedule, provides the exercise she needs, and allows her time to pray without interruptions.

At first, McHenry prays for her family while she is walking. Later, her daily walks open her eyes to the needs of others outside her circle and she begins to pray for them as well. As the months pass, McHenry notices little changes taking place in herself that she attributes to prayerwalking. She gradually overcomes some of her fears. Her general mood and outlook on life improves, due to what she calls “spiritual endorphins.” One morning, her son even catches her singing while making school lunches.

In the magazine “Spiritual Life” (Spring 2002), Richard Hurzeler, a grandfather and retired college professor, also writes about the benefits of prayerwalking. Naturally he enjoys time with his family, but prayerwalking provides him with some quiet time while also stretching and toning his muscles. Hurzeler enjoys the change of scenery while looking and listening for the presence of God within himself and others. He reminds us of Mother Teresa’s words: “We should make every effort to walk in the presence of God, to seek God in all persons we meet, to live our prayers through the day.”

“Don’t pray, just walk!” When I think back to these words, spoken to me so many years ago, I wonder, was the priest using reverse psychology? Or was he opening me to new prayer forms? Or maybe both?

 

Note: Article above reprinted from the syndicated column “The Prayerful Heart” by Julie McCarty, which appeared in Catholic newspapers around the country a few years ago.

Julie’s new website

On By Julie McCartyIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I’ve been building a new writer website on WordPress. I still have more archived articles to put in the writing section, but I would love to hear what you think of it. How does it look and feel in your browser? Pros and cons? Suggestions?

Here’s the link:  www.juliemccartywriter.com

Sunrise through Winter Frost: Reflecting Divine Light

On By Julie McCartyIn Art and spirituality, Beauty, Contemplative Living, Union with God / Each other1 Comment

Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” –John 8:12.

Not much snow in Minnesota this winter, but the frost patterns have been lovely. Here’s a photo I took one morning of sunrise, looking through our window and the frost on the storm window:

Sunrise through Winter Frost–by Julie McCarty– (click on photo to enlarge)
 
The sparkles you see in this photo are reflections of the sun (camera flash was off). We often think of all the sin and darkness in our world, but this picture reminds me of the beauty of human souls reflecting the light of God. When we open our hearts to God, when we act in ways of love, we become reflections and conduits of God’s light in the world. So often, we are swimming in this light of God without even thinking about it.
 
Spiritual writer Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda put the following quote on her Facebook page today, and I share it here because I think it goes well with the above photo:
 

“We cannot attain the presence of God because we’re already totally in the presence of God. What’s absent is awareness. Little do we realize that God is maintaining us in existence with every breath we take. As you take another breath (right now!) it means that God is choosing your existence now, and now, and again now…Prayer is not primarily saying words or thinking thoughts. It is, rather, a stance. It’s a way of living in the Presence, living in awareness of the Presence, and even of enjoying the Presence. The full contemplative is not just aware of the Presence, but trusts, allows, and delights inside of an active and experienced Union.” ~Fr. Richard Rohr in “Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer.”

We are always in the presence of God, but we forget God is with us. Like each little “snowflake” of frost in the photo, we are already in the presence of the God. All we have to do is open our hearts and absorb the light of God’s presence. And, in so doing, our souls are capable of reflecting that light of love to others, who in turn reflect God’s light to still others… a ripple effect of light and love.
 
Until next time, Amen!
 

Julie now on Facebook

On By Julie McCartyIn Misc.Leave a comment
Violet in Nerstrand Woods--photo by Julie McCarty

Are you on Facebook? I finally caved and signed up just this week. I’m completely new at this, so it may take me awhile to get the hang of it.

I would love to have you as a Facebook friend… so please do look me up. I plan to focus on spiritual quotes, encouraging words, nature photos, practice watercolor paintings, and a few thoughts about life in general. And maybe a bit of personal stuff, too.

There are pros and cons about Facebook, but I want to be able to communicate better with people I care about–and that includes you!

I especially want to listen to what you have to say! So if you are timid about posting here on my blog, write to me in some other way. (Facebook is just another way to send messages.)

You are always welcome to send me email messages, too. Just visit the contact page. You can use the contact form or the email listed at the bottom of that page. I try to answer every personal email with a personal response.

I care about what you think and feel.

Coming soon to Easter Lutheran Church in Eagan: Sacred Rhythms

On By Julie McCartyIn Contemplative Living, Faith Communities, PrayerLeave a comment

Sneak preview:

When Lent begins later this month, Easter Lutheran Church in Eagan, MN will be using the program Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton. Based on gospel stories and ancient Christian practices, this program includes such topics as longing for more, praying with Scripture, making space for God, finding God in everyday experiences, and cultivating our own sacred rhythms.

“Sacred Rhythms” will be offered at various times beginning mid-Feb:

  • Wednesday afternoons  with Pastor Paul,
  • Sunday evenings with Pastors Kris, Kevin, & Sarah,
  • Monday evenings or Thursday mornings at Chick Talk women’s group with Julie McCarty (yep, that’s me). 

For details on exact times, dates, locations, visit easter.org (click on Lenten worship), or call the parish office,651-452-3680.

If you cannot attend, the Sacred Rhythms book, participant’s guide, and DVD make for great discussions in small groups or as springboard for Lenten journaling.  

More Info (FAQ’s):

  • Want to preview the sessions? Visit YouTube and search “ruth haley barton sacred rhythms.”
  • Which book do I buy? Easter Lutheran will be selling the main text for $15, or you can order from major booksellers online. If you are in a small group that hates reading, you could watch the DVD segments together and do the participant’s guides with your bibles.
  • What if I’m not a member at Easter, or not even Lutheran? Come anyway! All are welcome. No fee except for buying the book if you want.
  • What if I can’t make all the sessions? Slip into one of the other discussion groups that week, or just come whenever you can.
  • Can I bring a friend? Is it for both men and women? Yes! All are welcome! That includes interested teens, too. (Chick Talk, as the title suggests, is a women’s group…)