I received this quote today in my email from the SSJE.
“Filled with the Holy Spirit, we feel more alive, and we have a new courage and strength to face the challenges of this world. We are more able, because we are nourished by God, to play our part in bringing justice, peace and hope into our broken and hurting world.” Br. Geoffrey Tristram, SSJE
I believe the Holy Spirit is part of my life, actually resides within me and does replenish me. I value the daily word I get from the brothers in Cambridge. I know these words come from faith. But they sound like hyperbole to me. It’s an exaggerated sense of what I am capable of even with that same faith.
I wondered about facing the challenges of the world. It occurred to me perhaps this is an overreach. I am nourished in the sacrament of Holy Eucharist. Does this enable to face the challenges way beyond my reach and help bring reconciliation, hope, peace and justice to the world? I don’t know if it does. I have doubts.
I see the world that once had come to some kind of accommodating resolution after two great wars, after Korea, Viet Nam and the Cold War. And now I see so many unresolved issues leading to conflict. I thought of a metaphor that might help my doubt and give me peace of mind that maybe I can do something: I would be a pebble dropped in the middle of a pond. The ripples extending to so many on the edge of despair, bringing hope, faith, and love. Would that work for me? I don’t know. These words from Reinold Niebuhr make sense to me; helps me to come to some resolution.
“Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in a life time; therefore, we must be saved by hope.
Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore, we must be saved by faith.
Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore, we must be saved by love.”
“Filled with the Holy Spirit, we feel more alive, and we have a new courage and strength to face the challenges of this world. We are more able, because we are nourished by God, to play our part in bringing justice, peace and hope into our broken and hurting world.” Br. Geoffrey Tristram, SSJE
I believe the Holy Spirit is part of my life, actually resides within me and does replenish me. I value the daily word I get from the brothers in Cambridge. I know these words come from faith. But they sound like hyperbole to me. It’s an exaggerated sense of what I am capable of even with that same faith.
I wondered about facing the challenges of the world. It occurred to me perhaps this is an overreach. I am nourished in the sacrament of Holy Eucharist. Does this enable to face the challenges way beyond my reach and help bring reconciliation, hope, peace and justice to the world? I don’t know if it does. I have doubts.
I see the world that once had come to some kind of accommodating resolution after two great wars, after Korea, Viet Nam and the Cold War. And now I see so many unresolved issues leading to conflict. I thought of a metaphor that might help my doubt and give me peace of mind that maybe I can do something: I would be a pebble dropped in the middle of a pond. The ripples extending to so many on the edge of despair, bringing hope, faith, and love. Would that work for me? I don’t know. These words from Reinold Niebuhr make sense to me; helps me to come to some resolution.
“Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in a life time; therefore, we must be saved by hope.
Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore, we must be saved by faith.
Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore, we must be saved by love.”
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