Author: Julie McCarty

Spiritual director, writer, and artist

Augustine, Love, and Spiritual Cosmetics

On By Julie McCartyIn Beauty, Compassion, Forgiveness, Jesus Christ2 Comments

When ancient spiritual writers talk about “beauty,” they are often talking about something deep, virtuous, and lovely in the soul. Surface beauty is fleeting, but the deeper soul-beauty can last forever.

32 Lent-Week 5--Compassion--Augustine

“Love is the beauty of the soul”…I think what Saint Augustine is telling us is that love is what makes our souls beautiful. He’s talking about that genuine love–the kind of love that Christ has for all people, the kind of love that is willing to die in order to save another’s life. This kind of love could be called “spiritual cosmetics” … only it’s much deeper and more profound than cosmetics could ever be…

True love for one another is what makes us beautiful–and Christ proved he believed this by staking his life on it.  I often think it’s the teachings of Jesus–his love of others– that really brought on his death on the cross. People don’t like hearing stuff like “love your enemy” or “forgive one another.” Certain people also felt their own earthly power was threatened by Jesus’ popularity–and his teaching, they thought, threatened their own earthly power.  I don’t know. I’m just thinking aloud here.

Until next time, Amen! 

Kindness, Compassion, and Forgiveness–Ephesians 4:32

On By Julie McCartyIn Compassion, Forgiveness, LentLeave a comment

This week I’m pondering the theme of compassion / love:

31 Lent--week 5--Compassion--Ephesians (click on image to enlarge)

The New Testament is filled with the message of compassion, kindness, and forgiveness. These things are not always easy to practice, but they are the way of Jesus. Those who would follow Christ, are called to be “at work” in the ways of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.

Until next time, Amen! 

Mother Teresa and forgiveness

On By Julie McCartyIn Forgiveness, Lent, Spiritual practicesLeave a comment

When one takes up a Lenten practice, it is easy to say “oh, I’ll do that”…but then a little time passes, and it’s sometimes difficult to keep it going.  So I missed a day here and there of posting quotes. The way my mind works, missing a few days makes me tempted to give up the new practice.

HOWEVER, that’s the good time to just get back to it. Yesterday was a busy (and awesome!) day, so I didn’t get to post this quote… so here you go: words of wisdom from Mother Teresa:

30 Lent--week 4--Forgiveness--Mother Teresa

Hope your Lent is going well. Persevere. Hope and trust in God…

Until next time, Amen! 

CS Lewis quote about forgiveness

On By Julie McCartyIn Forgiveness, LentLeave a comment

Today’s quote about forgiveness is from C. S. Lewis:

29 Lent--week 4--Forgiveness--CS Lewis

So true. What can I say?  I find forgiving others challenging, too!

Until next time, Amen! 

Martin Luther quote about forgiveness

On By Julie McCartyIn Forgiveness, LentLeave a comment

Today’s quote about forgiveness intrigues me… I wonder what Luther was specifically thinking about when he wrote it?

28 Lent--week 4--Forgiveness--Luther

Perhaps those of you who are preachers or have sermon experience might have some more insight into this… Why is preaching about forgiveness dangerous? Do people get angry at you for telling them to forgive one another?   Or…???

Until next time, Amen! 

Thought from Gandhi about forgiveness

On By Julie McCartyIn Compassion, ForgivenessLeave a comment

Today I’m pondering this quote from Mahatma Gandhi:

27 Lent--week 4--Forgiveness--Gandhi

At first glance, it may seem that Gandhi is wrong? After all, it seems that the powerful would not stoop to forgiving others. To forgive seems to let the other person off the hook…and somehow that makes us feel less powerful? I don’t know… I’m just “thinking out loud”…

I think perhaps Gandhi is speaking from his own experience. He devoted his life to seeking out the truth, not only by reading about it, but by putting spiritual truths into practice, testing the truth with his life choices and experiences. One can’t accuse Gandhi of not “walking the walk” with his life.

This makes me think that Gandhi knew–from his own experience– how hard it was to truly forgive someone, especially when the wound is severe and deep. But just because it’s difficult to do, that didn’t stop Gandhi from living the principle of forgiveness. I’m thinking that Gandhi learned that it is really the stronger person, inwardly strong in spirit, who can forgive and move forward with love in their heart towards the person who hurt them.

Perhaps that’s one reason people called Gandhi “Mahatma,” a word that means “great-souled” or “Great Soul,” one who has great wisdom and selflessness.

It would take that kind of person to constantly forgive and treat others with compassion, in the manner of Mahatma Gandhi.

Until next time, Amen! 

Jesus’ teaching about forgiveness

On By Julie McCartyIn Bible verses, Forgiveness, LentLeave a comment

For my Lenten images, week 4 is about forgiveness/mercy. (I should have started this yesterday, but ya know how sometimes things come up…)

Jesus showed mercy, love, and forgiveness again and again. If we are to be followers of Jesus, this means we are called to do the same. That doesn’t mean we allow people to keep hurting us. There are times we have to remove ourselves from a situation to keep from getting hurt (such as, domestic violence).

26 Lent--Week 4--Forgiveness--Jesus 7 times (click on image to enlarge)

I find this teaching of Jesus sometimes easy and sometimes extremely difficult. I don’t always do it very well, and I still have lots of ways in which I need to grow in forgiving others.

What do you do when you find it hard to forgive someone?
(Please share ideas in the comments.)

Blessed to be a blessing for others

On By Julie McCartyIn prayer fasting and almsgivinig, Social Justice / Concern for othersLeave a comment

Today’s quote about almsgiving and sharing is from John Calvin, key figure and theologian during the Protestant Reformation days. This quote caught my eye because of today’s political/religious climate.

25 Lent--week 3--almsgiving--Calvin

“Love one another” means being willing to share with others. The Christian way is a spiritual path that seeks to give to others more than to receive from them. It can be difficult to remember this in the midst of media bombardment about the latest recipes for good looks, wealth, and material things.

Will you pray with me?

Come, Holy Spirit,
remind us often
that everything we own–
belongings, money, time, talents–
comes from Creator God…
Inspire us often to share with others,
and give us the courage to let go
of all that we ought to share with others.

Until next time, Amen! 

Many kinds of “almsgiving”

On By Julie McCartyIn prayer fasting and almsgivinig, Social Justice / Concern for othersLeave a comment

There are many ways to “give alms”… I think the main point is to think of the needs of others and to share the gifts you have with them. Some gifts are monetary or physical possessions, like clothes and dishes. Others are the talents we have been given by God to use for the good of ourselves and others.

24 Lent--week 3--almsgiving--Bush(click on image to enlarge)

Until next time, Amen!

 

Advice from Jesus about almsgiving

On By Julie McCartyIn Jesus Christ, prayer fasting and almsgivinig, Social Justice / Concern for othersLeave a comment

Words from Jesus about almsgiving:

21 Lent--week 3--almsgiving--Jesus in Matt 6 3

Jesus must have known people who were giving as a way of showing off to others. They gave to those in need (charities)  as a way to prove to others they were holy, and even “holier” than those around them. As a result, they received a good deal of praise for their actions.

It’s something to think about . . . Do we give to others because we care, or do we give to see our name emblazoned in stone for others to admire?   You can read more of what Jesus said in chapter 6 of Matthew’s gospel. (If you don’t have a bible, just google “Matthew 6  3 ” or “Matthew 6”.)

Until next time, Amen!