Growing in Wisdom

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Cynthia Bourgeault, desire for God, grace, jumpstart, life lesson, prayer, Sirach, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, wisdom

When I think about my “wisdom journey,” I often refer to 2003 as a beginning point, but it would be sad to think that I began my search for God at that late moment in my life. I was already 55 years old then. (Of note, however, is the fact that “5” is a significant number for change in numerology.) That year is significant because it signaled the beginning of a disciplined study of the wisdom tradition of Christianity under the tutelage of a teacher—Cynthia Bourgeault. It was a “jumpstart” to a new chapter in my life as it focused my prayer and religious studies to enable a deeper dive into spirituality.

I will always be grateful , not only for Cynthia, but for all the people I have met and the work I have been privileged to be part of over these last 18 years.

I don’t mean to sound like I am finished learning or going into retirement—not yet! What has precipitated this reflection is actually the first lectionary reading for today, from the Hebrew Scriptures book of Sirach. Here are the lines:
“When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer. I prayed for her before the temple and I will seek her until the end, and she flourished as a grape soon ripe. My heart delighted in her; my feet kept to the level path because from earliest youth I was familiar with her…”

As I look back over my life, I recognize—not for the first time—that the desire for God was always in me and all my experiences and lessons were important to the growth and deepening of that desire, until I was ready to act more directly on it. At that point, I trust that God said something like: “YOU GO, GIRL!” and then provided everything I needed to proceed. I have often heard that “when the student is ready the teacher appears.” I know that to be true in my life but not just when the lifelong lessons “appear”—but all along the way from all the sources of grace—people and experiences—that spark the fire that is the Holy Spirit inside.

Can you plot the workings of God in your life? Are there touch points when you suddenly—or not so suddenly—understood something important happening for your growth? Do you ask in prayer for understanding of the events and place of people in your life? And what is the place of gratitude in your prayer? Worthy questions, don’t you think?

Decisions

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decision makers, path of wisdom, prayer, stay home, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, trust, wisdom

As I came to semi-consciousness this morning I felt an urge to pray for the courageous people whom we have come to know as those “on the front-line” and/or “first responders.” Not only was the impetus there but even the words of a prayer came at the same time. It was very early so I stayed in bed allowing the text to edit itself as I went in and out of waking and sleeping. As there was a very persistent and very loud bird outside, I finally gave in and now here I sit with all the words erased! Poetic justice, I guess, for not acting more quickly in answer to the creative angel who woke me up in the first place.

What I’ve realized in this empty space and time, however, was that my original consideration of such a prayer really came from a wonderful zoom call on Wednesday. After a wide-ranging discussion we reached our conclusion with our usual question: “What are you taking away from this gathering?” One of our lovely deep-thinkers responded by saying, “I’m taking the decision-makers…”

Today is May 15th, the day when New York State is scheduled to begin to “open” again from the “Stay home” order. So all New Yorkers need to listen to directives from government leadership and their own hearts to know what is safe and what is not in relation to Covid 19. For this, and for all citizens of our country going forward, I pray simply:

Grant us, O God, the generosity of spirit to follow the path of wisdom today and all days. May we act from care for the whole rather than simply comfort for ourselves. May trust be our strong companion and hope lift us up to know what is best in every situation. And may love be the motivation for all that we do or do not do on this day and in the days to come. Amen.

Elder Wisdom (Part Two)

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celebrate, destination, fear, spiritual growth, struggle, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, wisdom

As promised, today’s entry follows that of yesterday. Listen and learn, if you will.

There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid, who will try to hold on to the shore. They are being torn apart and will suffer greatly.

Know that the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore. Push off into the middle of the river, and keep our heads above water.

And I say see who is there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves, for the moment we do, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves. Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. For we are the ones we have been waiting for. (Oraibi, Arizona 7/8/2000)

Wisdom of the Elders

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community, kindness, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, truth, wisdom

Yesterday I received an email message from a friend who suggested I share a favorite text here as it seems more meaningful now than ever. I agreed with her. When I read it again this morning, I decided to send it in two parts in order not to miss the significance of any of it. Thus, what you will find below are some challenging questions and thoughts to keep you reflecting until tomorrow.

A Message from the Hopi Elders, (1)

You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour. Now you must go back and tell the people that this is The Hour. Here are the things that must be considered: Where are you living? What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in right relation?

Where is your water? Know your garden. It is time to speak your Truth. Create your community. Be good to each other. And do not look outside yourself for the leader. This could be a good time…

As you think on these words, perhaps it will be useful to write down your thoughts so you remember then what today brought to you…

What Does Love Mean?

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love, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, Valentine's Day, wisdom

Last night in my email there was a sweet little video posted by Tara Brach that ended with some quotes by 4 to 8 year olds in answer to the question of what love means. I found it heartening and way better than chocolate. Here are my favorite answers.

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that that your name is safe in their mouth.”

“When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you get scared because you think they won’t love you anymore and you get surprised because they love you even more.”

“You really shouldn’t say “I love you” unless you mean it but if you know they love you, you should say it a lot. People forget.”

Happy “on-going” Valentine’s Day. Think on these things from the wise ones in our midst!

Pay Attention!

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attention, discernment, Isaiah, law of the Lord, meditate, psalm 1, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, truth, wisdom

Today it seems that we are once more being called to attend to messages that offer us clear directives for good living in a succinct and understandable way. I use the plural “messages” but in the end I see all three readings as constitutive of an overarching theme.

Isaiah (48: 17-19) proclaims God’s willingness to teach us what is for our good if we would hearken to God’s commandments. (The rewards are all nature images – beautiful and worth your time to read.) Next, Psalm 1 tells us that if we meditate on and delight in the law of the Lord, we will prosper (again – interestingly – with nature images).

What this says to me is that we’re called to a consistent and steadfast attention to discernment of what is for our good and what is not, if we are to learn wisdom. It doesn’t help to observe the practices of others and thereby judge them. Truth is the measure of what we learn in the silence of our hearts. After the advice of Isaiah and the psalmist, we hear Jesus speak in rather stark language about this. Listen to what he says.

“To what shall I compare this generation? It’s like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played for you but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”

What do you make of all this?

Spiritual Gifts

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courage, grace, love, path of life, silence, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, wisdom

As I was reading just now about “the art of discernment” and the place of silence in that practice, I was treated to one of those brief prayers that asks God for some of the greatest qualities that we could desire. What I like in the prayer is the specificity of action that accompanies each gift so that we can focus on the “how” of developing it. See if that makes sense to you as it does to me.

Grant me, dear God, the grace and the courage to be still and know that you are God, the wisdom to allow my soul to wait for you in silence, and the love to choose a path of life. Amen.

Remember

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Abraham, Ancient Songs Sung Anew, God, God is still speaking, Psalm 105, remember, Sarah, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, wisdom

This morning we are called by Psalm 105 to remember our heritage as “children of the Blessed One” as we stand in gratitude for those who have come before us, all the way back to Abraham and Sarah. Verse 5 from the Ancient Songs Sung Anew translation is especially evocative, saying:

Remember, remember everything you can recall, remember every work and wonder, remember every word God speaks to you in wisdom…

There is a large rainbow banner hung high above the door of the Church that houses the office of the Sophia Center proclaiming in large, bold letters that God is still speaking. Are you able to dig deep and be silent enough to hear the messages of wisdom and truth being spoken in your heart this very day?

Father’s Day

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example, father's day, fatherhood, lessons, memories, psalm 8, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, wisdom

This morning I am greeted with a rush of memories and feelings like smiles inside as I think of my father. A devout Catholic, my father loved the prayers and rituals of the Church and I can see his face as he humbly blessed himself “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” especially on this feast of the Holy Trinity.

As I read Psalm 8 just now (definitely my favorite of them all), I feel my father’s amazement in experiencing the beauty of nature. Whether on our front porch with us during a storm so that we would never fear thunder and lightning (although respecting the power by taking us inside when necessary) or floating effortlessly for hours on his back in the ocean at Cape Cod, his peace was palpable.

My father taught by example mostly and the lessons remain. I pray today in thanksgiving for the blessings bestowed on myself and my siblings, my cousins and the wider world of friends and co-workers as well as, of course, my mother, with whom he made love the purpose and center of his life.

I pray as well today for all fathers that wisdom may guide their steps, that their children may respect their efforts and that they have what they need of strength and the resources necessary to be equal to the role of fatherhood. May it be so!

Just As You Are

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be where you are, God is with you, Holy Spirit, pay attention, St. John the Evangelist, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, wisdom

The Episcopal monks of the Congregation of St. John the Evangelist offer an online meditation each morning (ssje.org). It is always brief and simply expressed. Today I thought it perfect for this Friday as we contemplate how we might incarnate the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives – just as we are, in the uniqueness of our own lives – in preparation for the great feast of Pentecost. Entitled “Now,” it reads as follows:

To cultivate wisdom you need not read another book, nor watch another Ted talk, nor earn another academic degree, nor visit another monastery, nor travel to the ends of the earth. Be where you are, which is where God is with you. Say “yes” to life on the terms that God is giving you just now; pay attention to your life. (Brother Curtis Almquist, SSJE)