Male Spirituality Session I

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1 Male Spirituality Session I Paul Semmens 6 November 2010 With Grateful Appreciation to Father Richard Rohr, Wild Man to Wise Man & Margaret Silf, Sailing with God

2 May our God deign to give me the grace of speaking and you the desire of hearing ---St Peter Chrysologas Catholic Doctor of Homilies 2

3 Overall Outline Introduction-what is Male Spirituality? Male Initiation and the Heroic journey Self Identity The Wisdom Journey-the Seeker The Holy Fool

4 Outline Introduction & Definition of Spirituality Definition of Spirituality What is our relationship with God?

5 Let s Box the Issue Sometimes I wonder if what Jesus meant by a disciple ( a teachable one) was simply an adult! One who had gone through the stages of growing up, letting go, handing over and learning to live out his or her true self. If you can once in a while get rid of all the pious connotations, you can see that an adult believer is merely one who has stopped hating, blaming, passing on death and negativity. They have become transmitter stations of life. They let everything teach them, even in old age. That is a disciple of Jesus.. Father Richard Rohr From Wild Man to Wise Man

6 Definition of Spirituality Spirituality is having a source of energy which is the directing, motivating source of your life- Father Rohr Father James Martin: A Jesuit Guide to Everything Spirituality is a way of living in relationship to God All Spiritualities have the same objective-union with God All have the same process, but emphasize different parts Spirituality is the bridge between God and man; it must be adaptable and balance principles and circumstances Father John Welch, The Carmelite Way Each order has an atmosphere, a spiritual environment, a soul language where God's spirit and the human spirit meet The meeting with God takes place in our human experience; the religious tradition provides a framework to be attendant to God's presence and call

7 Spirituality is related, but different from Religion Definitions of Religion: Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary: "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith. Webster's New World Dictionary (Third College Edition): "any specific system of belief and worship, often involving a code of ethics and a philosophy Spirituality is having a source of energy which is the directing, motivating source of your life- Father Rohr Based on these Definitions, might there might be religions or Spiritualities that have nothing to do with God?? 7

8 Spirituality Definition Relationship with God Spirituality Source of Life Adaptive Personal Behavioral Framework Motivation for Behavior Lifestyle For our Discussion Purposes-the Definition of Spirituality has Everything to do with God! 8

9 So Some Thoughts If there is too much inwardness, religion can become a security blanket Male spirituality is men taking the Gospel message and applying it with our own unique style, personal start point and goals Male saints are whole; they trust; their identity comes from within Catholic male spirituality is practiced by men who understand the truth, so they have no need to play power games and have no need to be arrogant or prideful a masculine spirituality would *should?+ emphasize movement over stillness, action over theory, service to the world over religious discussions, speaking the truth over religious niceties and doing justice instead of some self serving charity. Father Rohr

10 So since Spirituality Begins with God, Let s Talk about Our image [and consequent relationship] with God to start

11 What is Your Image of God? USA Today, October 2010 Americans are divided on their image of God and His behavior These views shape our responses to events and contentious issues Unifying threads: Nine out of 10 Americans believe in God Most Americans believe good people go to heaven Most believe many faiths contain truth; religious diversity is good Four Perceptions of God and percentage of Americans who see God in these categories [authors admit possibility of many more]: Authoritative God: God is engaged in history and doing what is right appeases Him 28% Benevolent God: God is engaged in the world and loves and supports us in caring for others 22% Critical God: God watches this world, but delivers justice in the next world 21% Distant God: God booted up the universe, then lets man alone [Jewish, Buddhist views] 24%

12 What is Your Image of God? A little more from USA Today Authoritative God: God is engaged in history and doing what is right appeases Him 28% Homosexuality is a choice Benevolent God: God is engaged in the world and loves and supports us in caring for others 22% God performs miracles in daily life See caring and acts of heroism in disasters Critical God: God watches this world, but delivers justice in the next world 21% Generally held view by poorer people Distant God: God booted up the universe, then let man alone [Jewish, Buddhist views] 24% God is not in the day to day equation of life

13 Father Rohr s Thoughts On God God is beauty and love If there is too much ritual, it can detract from our relationship with God If you know God, you are moral God always initiates. God is threatening, because He takes away our desire and ability to control So the key to the journey is to trust God and not our worthiness

14 What God Said-Old Testament Genesis 1:27 God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God gave man intellect, free will and capacity to love The rest of the Old Testament is God trying over and over again to maintain a relationship with the Israelites, who repeatedly rejected Him

15 OT God s Covenants Promises from God NT Creation Adam Noah Abraham Moses David Jesus 2 nd of Space & Time Name Marriage Family Tribes Nation Kingdom Universal (catholic) Coming MARRIAGE = Bridegroom/Bride 1 Man & Sons & Isaac 12 Tribes become United kingdom Jesus/Church 1 Woman wives Jacob (Israel) & Esau nation of Israel Saul (political king) FAMILY = Baptism entry into spiritual 12 sons (Judah, Levi, Joseph Ten Commandments David (anointed king) family/sons & daughters of God & Benjamin) become the (Golden calf incident) Conquers Jerusalem TRIBAL= descendant of tribe of Judah; 12 tribes of Israel Mosaic Law Solomon (wise king) Jesus is a circumcised, law abiding Jew Builds the Temple NATION = Jesus is the High Priest; the Divided Kingdom Bread of Life; the Word Incarnate; the Northern (Israel-10 Lost tribes) KINGDOM = King of Kings; Lord of Lords Southern (Judah--2 Loyal tribes) Established God s Kingdom on earth Sign Tree of Life Rainbow Circumcision Ark of the Covenant Throne Sacraments of Initiation (Aaron s staff, Manna, 10 Cmdnts) (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) Blessings Fruitful Father of Many Nations Re-entering the Temple Sacraments --Good of spouses Promised Land Promised Land Salvation/Eternal Life --Good of the children (Jericho)

16 What God Said-New Testament New Testament: Jesus was the fulfillment of the Messianic Promise As God, He said: I am the way, the truth and the light. John 14:6 I will be with you until the end of the age. Mt 28:20 Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day & night? Will He be slow to answer them? Lk 18:7 He is not the God of the dead but the living. Mt 22: 32

17 Meditation What is your image of God? Authoritative Benevolent Critical Distant Or some combination of the above? What is your current relationship with God? I feel I am often with Him during the day I really only approach Him when I need something I talk to God on Sundays

18 Jesus the Man Jesus was: Betrayed by a confidant Misunderstood Isolated Arrested Denied by His closest friends Mocked Given an unfair trail Brutalized Jesus the Person: Charismatic Leader Prayer had value for Him Reacted to human suffering Forgave Associated with sinners Listened, and changed His mind - Mk 7 Loved God first Angry with people who kept people from God

Cooperate with him, then rest secure that whatever happens, will be best for you.

19 Prayer Trust God God s Merciful Covenant God In Charge Establish Our Relationship with God We do what we can to find the peace of Christ...he does the rest...whatever happens, it is a great grace. If you hope to succeed in whatever you do, place your trust totally in God s providence. Cooperate with him, then rest secure that whatever happens, will be best for you. St Francis De Sales For if I have you God, I want for nothing, you alone suffice. St Teresa Our Lord is occupied particularly with each soul as though there were no others like it. St Therese of Lisieux St. Therese In

Identity Sense of boundaries Begins to let go of self Crisis of Limitation (Ages 35-50) Inner loss of meaning Sometimes failure Attempts to regain control Confronts limits Being a warrior or hero

20 Wild Man to Wise Man Father Richard Rohr St. John the Baptist Male Initiation (Teens) Idealism Exp Power Necessary Egotism Work, delayed gratification Immaturity Righteousness Sacrifice Angry Young Man No experience of power or goodness Self Identity Sense of boundaries Begins to let go of self Crisis of Limitation (Ages 35-50) Inner loss of meaning Sometimes failure Attempts to regain control Confronts limits Being a warrior or hero doesn t work Loss self control Doesn t get the message; shallow Lets go Patience, compassion, Dark Night of Faith Secure enough to be insecure Redefinition of success Prayer essential Improving self knowledge Journey of Embitterment Confrontation, no enlightenment Looking to blame Holy Fool God in charge Return to simplicity Being human more important than control, power, possessions

St Francis Biography 1567-1622; born Savoy area in France Father, an aristocrat, wanted Francis to be a diplomat Studied in Paris and Padua for a Law Doctorate, also studied theology & practiced

21 St Francis Biography ; born Savoy area in France Father, an aristocrat, wanted Francis to be a diplomat Studied in Paris and Padua for a Law Doctorate, also studied theology & practiced mental prayer Had conversations about being a priest, but waited Fell off his horse 3 times one day and his sword and its scabbard came to rest in the sign of a cross each time-he had his sign Ordained in 1593; worked converting Calvinists in Savoy for 4 years In 1602, Bishop Granier died and Francis became the Bishop of Geneva-set foot in the city only two times 21

22 The Devout Life [1608] His most famous book; written for the common man Masterpiece of psychology and practical morality Translated to every language during St Francis lifetime He believed God gives us grace to enlighten our souls, which make us pleasing to God When He gives us the power to do good, it is called charity When it reaches the point that doing good is done frequently and readily, then that is called devotion Charity is the flame that lights the devotional fire Devotion must be adapted according to the capabilities, the engagements and the duties of each individual. 22

St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Born Avila Spain; wealthy Converso family Entered the Carmelite Convent at Avila in 1535 Formed the Discalced [Barefoot] Carmelites in 1562; 17 Convents Return to the

23 St Teresa of Avila ( ) Born Avila Spain; wealthy Converso family Entered the Carmelite Convent at Avila in 1535 Formed the Discalced [Barefoot] Carmelites in 1562; 17 Convents Return to the basics-prayer, silence, community Beautiful, insecure, adaptable, affectionate, courageous, totally human Her life was full of paradoxes: Wise yet practical Intelligent yet in tune with her experiences Mystic yet reformer She was a shrewd businesswoman in a man s world First Female Doctor of the Church; Doctor of the Church for Prayer 23

24 Boats Boats have often been used as an analogy for a spiritual journey For future discussion, what kind of boat do you think you are?

25 Summary We must progress and grow, we must mount above our own limitations Human freedom is born in the moment of our contact with God. It is really unimportant whether God forces us out of our limits by the sheer distress of much suffering, coaxes us with visions of beauty and truth, or pricks us into action by the endless hunger and thirst for righteousness that possess our soul. What really matters is we are called and we must be sufficiently awake to hear the call. Father Alfred Delp 25

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Servant Leadership. Paul and Christina Semmens 6 February 2010

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Servant Leadership. Paul and Christina Semmens 6 February 2010 Servant Leadership Paul and Christina Semmens 6 February 2010 Words There have been millions of words written in an effort to define leadership I would suggest that the fundamentals of good leadership