Tiramisu for Your Soul

For many, the time in between services at your house of worship is a long soul-less period of working, chores, deadlines, and worries. Wouldn't it be wonderful if, during the week, you had a "pick me up" for your soul?

There is a wonderful dessert that you'll find on the menu of most Italian restaurants, called tiramisu, which loosely translated means "pick me up." Called by some "heaven in the mouth," tiramisu is a delicious way to end a meal.

For me, a faith sharing group meeting is like tiramisu. It's a spiritual "pick me up" that refreshes you during the week.

At my parish, St. Matthias in Somerset, NJ, we encourage the formation of small groups that gather in someone's home, once a week for six weeks. Each week there is a theme, a reading from scripture, and a discussion. The aim of the gathering is to connect the scripture to our lives and share our faith journeys with one another. Small scale, simple to carry out, yet profound in its effects.

Another type of spiritual pick-me-up I recently started is t'ai chi chih, or "joy through movement," based on the style developed by Justin Stone. His approach to this ancient art of movement is slow, soft, and effortless, like a flowing meditation. The intent of this t'ai chi is to circulate and balance the chi, the vital force that flows through the universe . . . and through us.

Why not treat yourself to a spiritual pick-me-up? You deserve it.

Posted by Terrence Seamon originally on Thursday November 10, 2011, reposted on January 19, 2013

The Mohawk Prayer of Thanks

Here is a thanksgiving prayer to savor during this season of gratitude. My OD colleague Matt Minnahan has shared it with the ODNet discussion list for the past several Thanksgiving holidays.

The prayer originates from the Native people of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Confederacy is comprised of six Native tribes: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora, all located in New York State and Canada.

The prayer is based on the belief that the world we live in should not be taken for granted, and that we must thank all created things in order to align our minds with the natural and the spiritual world.

This prayer is essential to the Iroquois culture. A faith keeper is selected to share the words of thanksgiving at the opening and closing of social, government, and ceremonial events.

Here then is the prayer.

The Thanksgiving Prayer from the Mohawks:

~*~ The People ~*~
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Earth Mother ~*~
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one ***

~*~ The Waters ~*~
We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms-- waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit Water. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Fish ~*~
We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the fish and send our greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Plants ~*~
Now we turn towards the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Food Plants ~*~
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting and thanks. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Medicine Herbs ~*~
Now we turn to all the Medicine Herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines. Now our minds are one. ~*~

~*~ The Animals ~*~
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Trees ~*~
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, other with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength.With one mind, we greet and thank the tree of life. Now our minds are one

~*~ The Birds ~*~
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-- from the smallest to the largest--we send our joyful greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one *****

~*~ The Four Winds ~*~
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messengers and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds. Now our minds are one *****

~*~ The Thunders ~*~
Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightening and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunders. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Sun ~*~
We now send the greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun. Now our minds are one.

~*~ Grandmother Moon ~*~
We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the nighttime sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Stars ~*~
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Enlightened Teachers ~*~
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Creator ~*~
We turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ Closing Words ~*~
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intent to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way. Now our minds are one.

**************

CREDITS English version: John Stokes and Kanawahienton (David Benedict,
Turtle Clan/Mohawk) Mohawk Version: Rokwaho (Dan Thompson, Wolf Clan/Mohawk)

Original Inspiration: Tekaronianekon (Jake Swamp, Wolf Clan/Mohawk)
Copyright ? 1993 Six Nations Indian Museum and The Tracking Project.

*Mohawk Prayer of Thanksgiving* http://aihc1998.tripod.com/mohawkpr.html

Posted by Terrence Seamon on Sunday November 25, 2012

The Four Stages of Life

Yesterday, at a spirituality conference featuring Fr. Richard Rohr, he described a time he visited a church in India. Noticing that the images in the church windows were not the usual stained glass saints he knew from back home, he asked his guide about them.

The guide explained that the images in the windows of the church reflect Hindu thought, each representing one of the four stages in life.

The first stage is The Student where the person's duty is to study. At a Hindu website, the writer says that the task of this stage is learning, devotion to one's teachers, and discipline.

The second is The Householder where the person enters a vocation, gets married, and raises a family.

The third is The Forest Dweller. The forest symbolizes the unknown and provides the metaphor of this stage: forsaking one's regular life and "going into the woods" where he or she will discover the meaning of life.

The fourth is The Sage where, having attained insight and wisdom while dwelling in the forest, the individual now knows who he or she is and finds contentment and peace. There is now no longer any need to accomplish anything, no need to own anything material, no need to acquire anything.

I was impressed that Fr. Rohr shared this since his talk yesterday was about his model of the two stages of life.

For Rohr, the first stage encompasses the Student and the Householder. It's the major portion of most people's lives, involving growing up, going to school, getting a job, becoming an adult, and becoming a fully contributing member of society.

For most of us, that describes the entirety of life, except for retirement and death.

Not so, says Rohr and ancient Hindu wisdom.

The second stage of life, for Rohr, combines the Forest Dweller and the Sage. It's the portion of life that Rohr says Jesus was all about, the Kingdom of God.

In Luke's Gospel, Jesus says, "...for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)

If the first stage of life is external, the second stage is internal. First we build up our worldly treasure. Then we seek our real lasting treasure:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12: 22-34)

Posted by Terrence Seamon on Sunday November 11, 2012

Meeting Prophets On the Way

On this 50th anniversary at St. Matthias, we have been blessed by a series of prophetic voices in the guest speakers that have come to visit our parish this Jubilee year.

We began our Jubilee journey in February with poet and artist Jan Richardson. Along with her folksinger husband Garrison Doles, Jan helped us to meditate on doorways and thresholds in a wonderful retreat called “Thresholds of Jubilee.” Using stories, songs, and works of art, Jan helped us to think deeply about where we have come from, what we are carrying, and where we are going spiritually as a faith community. The wonderful event culminated in a collage activity where over 100 parishioners created vibrant doorway images of St. Matthias parish.

For our parish Lenten mission, our guest speaker was spiritual writer Paula D’Arcy. Using her own terribly sad personal story of loss and spiritual recovery, Paula held us spell-bound as she guided us through the dark night of the abyss. She shared with us the lessons that spiritual guides taught her along the way as she struggled to come to terms with forgiveness. And she taught us the three aspects of the Pilgrims Way. The first is to Walk Humbly, trusting in the voice that leads us. The second is to Open the Heart to receive the gift being offered to us. The third is to Let Go of what we are carrying, especially anger. Her message was one of hope, that our journey of faith may sometimes seem dark, but if we keep going, we will find the healing light of God.

Then Archbishop Elias Chacour, the self-titled Man from Galilee, visited St. Matthias, bringing us a refreshing message of peace and reconciliation from the Holy Land itself. Known as ‘Abouna’ (an Arabic term of affection meaning Father) to all who love him, he told us of his work in Israel, building schools and “bridges of peace” and understanding between Jews, Muslims, and Christians. His message was about respect and dignity, saying that we are all God’s children. We must love and accept one another, support one another. There is no other way to peace.

We ended our Jubilee year this month with the Franciscan Fr. Michael Crosby, author of Repair My House and 17 other books. Hailing from Milwaukee, Fr. Mike travels the world, speaking to audiences about the love of God.

His mission to St. Matthias, on three evenings, focused on the Great Commandment:

~ "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10: 27)

Over the course of several talks, Fr. Mike addressed the reasons why we struggle and stumble with this command. Why we do not love God, or our neighbors, or even ourselves with our whole heart.

The trouble is, we have a hole in our hearts, put there by the wounds we receive as children from the "serpent voices" around us, when others told us that we were unworthy or that another group was "less than."

And this psychological process has global effects. Much of the suffering and conflict in our world today comes from the soul-damage that the serpent voices have done to our hearts.

What is the answer? What is the way to the peace that Jesus preached? We must attain a new way of thinking. Using scripture and personal stories to provoke us to open our minds, he helped us realize that we must find a way to love ourselves wholeheartedly.

Quoting Albert Einstein, Fr. Mike called us to expand our thinking:

“A human being is a part of the whole, called by us the ‘Universe,’ a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest―a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if humankind is to survive.”


To reach this new manner of thinking, Fr. Mike encouraged us to be innovators, to re-interpret the message of our scripture in the light of our times today. For example, Fr. Mike argued that Jesus did not come to die for our sins. Rather, Jesus came to reveal God's love for creation.

Instead of being born tainted with Original Sin, Fr. Mike argued that we were made in Original Goodness. Looking at the creation story in the Bible, we read that when God made the universe, it was all very good. We are part of that creation. So we too are very good. Therefore, as beloved children of God, we should actually be feeling very good.

Finally, Fr. Mike explored what Jesus meant when he commanded "Do this." What are we to do exactly?

Opening scripture again, Fr. Mike pointed out the four parts of the example Jesus gave in Matthew's account of the loaves and fishes story:

~ "Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people." (Matthew 15:36)

Here we have a clear roadmap in four movements:
- He took - He received the loaves and fish that were offered
- He gave thanks - He said a prayer of blessing
- He broke - He tore the food into pieces
- He gave - He shared the meal with all

This, Fr. Mike taught, is what we are to do. And in so doing, we become the Body of Christ in the world today.

Posted by Terrence Seamon on Saturday October 20, 2012

The Carpenter's Way of Leading

My Jewish friend and OD colleague Robin Cook shared with me an article by Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks where the rabbi delineates a Jewish approach to leadership. Take a look at it. His seven principles are worth pondering. It's really an excellent piece.

With Rabbi Sacks as my inspiration, here is another Jewish perspective, one based on the life of the Carpenter's Son from Nazareth in Galilee, as described in the four gospels.

Principle 1 - A leader takes the risk of responsible caring for others in need. We see this so clearly in the story of the Good Samaritan.

Principle 2 - A leader does not go it alone. He builds a team and a following. The calling of the 12 apostles is perhaps the shining example of this principle. And even after one of the twelve falls away from the path, a replacement is chosen.

Principle 3 - A leader speaks to the people, sharing his vision of the good society. In the Sermon on the Mount, as well as in other stories of His preaching, we see Jesus conveying the guidelines that if followed will help create a just world.

Principle 4 - A leader preaches through his living, his suffering, and his dying. Jesus lived his own 'good news,' teaching others by the way he lived.

Principle 5 - A leader creates other leaders and sends them on their mission. He inspires and empowers his disciples to go forth.

Principle 6 - A leader leaves a legacy. After His death and rising, Jesus sent the Spirit. The coming of the Holy Spirit made sure that the followers were filled with inspiration, and were well supported to carry on, on their own.

Principle 7 - A leader is a paradox. While clearly an authority, He is also a servant. This becomes so clear in the washing of the disciples feet. As leader, He recognized that, though he was teacher, prophet and king, He was the servant of all.

This is perhaps the greatest leadership principle that we have been gifted with.

What are we doing with these principles? Are we agents of transformation in this world?


Posted by Terrence Seamon on Monday June 25, 2012

Spiritual Stress Management

This morning, I was a guest speaker at a women's conference in Perth Amboy. Sponsored by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the aim of the day was to celebrate the empowerment of women in today's world. One of the church members had taken a stress management class of mine some months ago at her place of work, and thought my message would be a good one for their program.

I started by introducing some of the basic coping skills of stress management including getting a good night's sleep; engaging in some form of exercise, even walking; finding ways to relax and de-stress; making time to have fun, to laugh and enjoy yourself; spending quality time with friends; eating right; and maintaining your serenity.

Then I took it to a higher level. We also need spiritual coping skills for the stress management of our souls. I asked, what if Jesus were giving this stress management talk? What practices would He suggest in order to help you to care for your soul and the souls of others?

Here then are four ideas for taking care of your spiritual stress management:

Shalom - It's an ancient word for “Peace” used as a greeting. And it is often uttered by Jesus himself. He said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Many centuries later, St. Francis prayed “Make me an instrument of your peace.” Do we bring peace into our lives and the lives of those we encounter? There is much discord in the world today. How can we be more effective channels of peace in today's world?

Example - As a teacher, Jesus showed us The Way and gave us many examples of how to live our lives. How to serve. How to lead. How to suffer. How to carry one's cross. At the Last Supper, He himself was bread broken and shared for others. And he told us, Do this as I have done for you. Do we follow His example as He said we should? Our lives are so busy that it's easy to forget Him altogether until Sunday rolls around. How do we remember to live the example that Jesus taught in our daily lives?

Love - In the entire Bible, there is only one time that a definition of God is given: God is love. Jesus teaches us, "As the Father has loved me so I have loved you. Live on in my love." How do we do that? Do we understand what Jesus was saying when he taught us that God is love. There was a hit song in the 1960's that said "What the world needs now is love, sweet love." That lyric is as true today as ever! There is so much greed and hate in our time. How do we "live on in God's love" in our daily lives?

Faith - Faith is trusting in someone or something you do not see. As we learn in the Gospel story of Doubting Thomas, the risen Jesus says, Blessed are those who have not seen, but have believed. Do you trust in the real presence of God within you?

I invited the assembly to join me in singing the hymn “Amazing Grace” where the poet says:

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures."


In closing, I shared these words of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew: “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find much rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”

Now that is spiritual stress management you can rely upon.

Posted by Terrence Seamon on Saturday May 26, 2012

Spirited Disobedience, the Good Shepherd's Way

At our church, we had a guest speaker last week, three time Nobel peace prize nominee Archbishop Elias Chacour from Galilee. Known to his friends as "Abouna" (an Arabic term of affection meaning Father), this Man from Galilee (as he referred to both himself as well as to Jesus) came to tell us about his work in Israel, building schools and building "bridges of peace" between Jews, Muslims, and Christians.

During a very interesting talk, this Palestinian raconteur told us many stories of life under occupation. Stories that made us laugh, and a few that moved us to tears. Throughout it all, the impression I got of the man was one of spirited discipleship and disobedience. Not unlike Jesus himself.

Didn't Jesus himself stir up trouble? Didn't Jesus challenge the thinking of his day? Didn't Jesus overturn the tables of the money changers in order to startle the people awake?

Upon his ordination in 1965, the young priest was sent by his bishop to a remote little place in Galilee called Ibillin where, for the next 40 years, Abouna did his best with the meager resources he had to build schools for the poor. 37 times he was charged by the Israeli authorities with the crime of building without proper permits. And each time, Abouna continued to build and to disobey. He was answering to a much Higher Authority than the government of Israel.

One time, frustrated that he could not get a permit from multiple government officials in Israel, he appealed to Washington D.C. He flew there and knocked at the door of the home of then Secretary of State James Baker. By good fortune, he met Baker's wife and by sheer chance he happened to arrive on the day that her women's Bible study group was meeting to discuss the Sermon on the Mount. Abouna announced that he was The Man from Galilee and would be happy to explain what Jesus meant.

As a result of this chutzpah, Abouna made a lasting friendship with the Bakers. And he got his permit.

In one other story, Abouna had been invited to speak in Rome to an audience of Vatican officials, on the topic of shrines in the Holy Land. After speaking for awhile on the topic, Abouna then shifted his focus to the people, the "living stones," of the Holy Land. A high-ranking cardinal interrupted Abouna and demanded to know "Are you in union with Rome?" Abouna replied that he is in union with Jesus and asked in return "Are you in union with the Man from Galilee?"

In addition to schools and libraries, Abouna has labored to build understanding and to work for peace. "Don't tell us that we need to learn to live with one another" he exclaimed toward the end of his talk. The people know that. The Arabs, the Jews, and the Christians. They were doing that for centuries! What is needed, Abouna said, is to come together and remember that all of us are babies who were made in the image of God. Each person has dignity and was born to live a life of joy and peace.

As my friend from church Joe Percoco puts it so well in his excellent daily email on Jesus' message, "Archbishop Chacour's message is all about brotherhood and solidarity and how, as God's beloved children - all endowed with the same dignity, all equal members of the one flock - we are called to accept and respect each other, to support each other, to be reconciled with each other, to live peaceably with each other, and to love each other."

A good shepherd from Galilee, Archbishop Chacour was a breath of much needed fresh air in our church and in our world!

Posted by Terrence Seamon on Monday April 30, 2012