Day 69. Fire and Ice
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
Robert Frost
We began Part III of the Novena speaking of culture. A culture that fails to place God at the center is fated to become a heap of ruins. I say this based on no prophetic insight for our modern world – only from an honest look at the current situation and an awareness of the patterns of the past.
Whether there will be a great upheaval within our lifetimes, then, is unknown. Will we see Christians once again fed to lions? You might think it absurd, but don’t forget that this recent past century produced more martyrs than any other. Killing Christians has hardly gone out of style, as author George Weigel explains in describing the world of St. John Paul II,
“Martyrdom” may not have been a prominent feature of the contemporary Catholic religious imagination in North America and western Europe, but the historical fact of the matter was that the twentieth century, the century of homicidal totalitarian ideologies, had been the greatest century of martyrdom in two millennia: indeed, more Christians gave their lives for Christ in the twentieth century than in the previous nineteen centuries combined.
Still I grant you it is unlikely we will be the ones facing firing squads or lynch mobs for our Christian testimony. Such persecution is both vivid and intense and those who experience it have no illusions that they are suffering for their witness.
Far more subtle, however, is the persecution that is passive rather than active.
If you, as a person of faith, organize your relationships around the central reality of the indwelling Spirit, you will find that you don’t quite fit in. If as a temple you make it your primary objective to glorify God in your body, you will stand out. Others will notice you. And their notice will not always be favorable.
To be, as St. John Paul once called you, a generation of builders will mean that you will have to confront the modern proponents of a ruined, deconstructed society with the Gospel of Life. They will certainly not thank you for your testimony. Neither will they, for the most part, directly confront you.
Whereas in a time of persecution, we can say that there is a “fire” of hatred for Christians, in the culture of nice, there will only be “ice” – the ice of isolation. If you are deemed by the “tolerant” to be intolerable, you will not be persecuted, you will be excluded. You will be frozen out. Shunned in the classroom, ignored at the water cooler at work, left alone at the lunch table, avoided even in the parish prayer group.
But if our interior communion of Ark and Altar is strong, we will not succumb to the big chill and we will not be the ones who freeze. The ice of isolation afflicts our culture more surely than anything it tries to inflict on us. As much as modernity is cut off from the source of warmth and light in Christ Jesus, our culture is sealed, despite constant social networking, in an endless winter of loneliness and disconnectedness that only God’s love can dispel. We are, then, a society that is freezing to death from the inside out.
“Everything’s going to be alright, honey. I feel just fine,” said the man stranded in a blizzard on the top of Mount Everest talking to his wife on a satellite phone. Hours later he was dead. When a body is freezing to death, a disturbing symptom is denial. Those who are closest to a point of no return actually begin to believe that they are in fact quite warm and doing fine.
Our society tells us we’re doing fine. Progress is leading us into a brave and better tomorrow. Meanwhile the Culture of Death thrives and metastasizes by the day.
Let us sincerely pray that we as a culture have not yet reached the denial that is characteristic of this advanced stage of hypothermia. Pray that we have not yet reached the point of no return.
Frodo: I wish it need not have happened in my time.
Gandalf: So do I, and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien [2]
Epilogue: The Glory of the Lord fills the Temple.
“The priests could not continue to minister because of the cloud, since the LORD'S glory filled the house of God.”
2 Chronicles 5:14
The original temple took seven years to build. The second took generations, and was never quite finished. The work of ordering our relationships and learning the delicate art of intimacy will be lifelong. The image of Nehemiah laboring with brick and mortar in one hand and sword in the other gives us a good understanding of the battle we will face as we build. We will battle our interior demons and illusions. We will struggle against exterior resistance and rejection.
In describing a renewed understanding of relationships, I know I have taken a risk. I have placed you in the near occasion of matrimony more than once. “You make intimacy with a spouse sound so appealing! Why would I ever give it up?” It is necessary for discernment, I believe, to have a full appreciation of the gift of marriage. In the economy of sacrifice, God wants our treasures not our trash. So we must treasure marriage in our understanding before we can begin to consider making an offering of it.
As we conclude this second portion of the novena, the temple provides us with a final reflection and a vivid transition. On the day of consecration, when Solomon gathered the people of Israel to Jerusalem for the dedication of the temple, the glory of the Lord appeared as a cloud and filled the sacred structure. The priests who were ministering within the hall had to leave. God’s presence was so overpowering that they could not remain inside. (1 Kgs. 8:10-11)
We will turn our attention now to priesthood, to consecrated life and in a particular way to celibacy. So much of the discussion of celibacy in the Church today can focus on the sacrifice. Celibacy is usually described in terms of negatives – no spouse; no children; no sexual intimacy. Celibacy is, no doubt, a sacrifice, but to imply that it is only a negative is something like saying that marriage is only the renouncing of all other possible partners.
In a celibate vocation, the glory of the Lord fills the inner sanctuary, the hall and the porch of our temple of relationships. All other intimate relations are supplanted. God becomes for us our Friend, our Confidant and, yes, our Lover. His presence, his love, and his consolation reaches into every corner of our inner self and grants the celibate man or woman a liberating joy, a satisfying communion and a deeply personal, spousal intimacy with the Triune God.
To say that the love of the Lord fills the temple and pushes out all other loves doesn’t mean that celibate persons have no room for friendships. In fact, it means precisely the opposite. In giving God the whole of our inner temple, we become sharers in God’s universal love for his people. It’s as if the entire temple becomes the Holy of Holies and the scope of our love expands exponentially from there. To love God with a celibate heart, therefore, is to love uniquely as God loves.
Such is the mystery of self-gift when it is offered to God first and to God alone. We turn at last to the matter of discernment. Knowing ourselves to be a gift; sharing this gift with others, we now begin to select the primary place where this gift will be offered.
Lead us onward, Lord, in your perfect will.
Novena Prayer
RENEWAL OF CONSECRATION TO MARY
Mary, please intercede for me during this Discernment Novena.
You heard the voice of the angel and trusted in the plan of God,
Teach me to listen and to trust.
You pondered in your heart the mystery of God’s unfolding will.
Teach me to silently reflect and discern.
You yielded to the power and grace of the Holy Spirit; gratefully receiving His gifts
Teach me to receive the gifts of the Spirit in my life.
You courageously followed the path marked down for you by God – even to the foot of the cross.
Teach me to be courageous in bearing with Jesus my own cross.
Mary my mother, I consecrate myself to you for the duration of this period of discernment.
Please pray for me that when the time is right, I will respond to God’s invitation in the same words as you:
“I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.”
Amen.
Make it My Own
Daily Discernment Workbook
WORLD VIEWS
1. The World: Don’t Fugit About It
The spiritual ideal of past ages was summarized in the phrase, “fugit mundi,” that is, a flight from the world. Monastic life was based on this vision of embracing a simple path of sacrifice and prayer to live on earth something of the life of heaven. There is great wisdom in this, but there is also, at times, the mistaken notion that this is the way all Christians should live. It’s not. We’re called, most of us, to be “in the world, not of the world.” With that in mind, a balanced understanding of the world is very important.
Look over the list below of ideas about the world we live in and try to assign the correct name to each from the options provided. Some ideas are false, some are limited and some have much truth to them.
A. Our world is marching towards a marvelous future filled with greater and greater freedom, equality and human happiness. ▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
B. The world is a depressing place that is at best tolerated. In the final analysis, one hopes to carve out an existence far from the press of the crowds and the inanity of the media. ▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
C. What’s the use? The world is full of corruption and everybody is selfish. Anything we try to do to fix it is marred by our own imperfections and therefore doomed to failure. ▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
D. It’s the end of the world as we know it. Nothing really matters in the end, so just laugh at all the absurdity out there and have a good time. ▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
E. The best way forward in society is through free markets and responsible investment. Our future will best be served by an open exchange of goods and services in an innovative and competitive economic framework. ▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
F. The way of happiness is the way of the reed that sways, not the hammer that strikes. Troubles come and go, but only one who desires nothing and offers no resistance to violence is living a life of true peace. ▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
Nihilism
Fatalism
Pacifism
Capitalism
Isolationism
Progressivism
Which of these worldviews am I most sympathetic to?
What’s true in this particular view? What is false?
Based on the views described above, write a short description of the Christian’s view of the world – what is good about the world, what is bad about the world, and what a Christian should do while living in the world. In other words, what do I think I mean when I pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”?
If all Christians flee from the worldly world, how will the Church fulfill her mission to evangelize? How will we be salt and light and a city set on a hill?
A QUOTE TO NOTE
2. The Glory of the Temple
We have learned many things about the temple. As I conclude the second thirty days of this discernment novena, I take a moment to reflect on the insight that I am a temple of the Holy Spirit, and that the splendor of the Jerusalem temple gives me some small insight about my own splendor in God’s eyes. With this in mind, I prayerfully read this description of the temple written by the historian Flavius Josephus who lived and wrote in the days of the temple’s destruction in 70 AD. Consider the wonder this great structure inspired in all who saw it…
Now the outward face of the temple in its front …was likely to surprise either men’s minds or their eyes, for it was covered all over the plates of gold of great weight, and, at the first rising of the sun, reflected back a very fiery splendor, and made those who forced themselves to look upon it to turn their eyes away, just as they would have done at the sun’s own rays. But this temple appeared to strangers, when they were at a distance, like a mountain covered with snow; for, as to those parts of it that were not gilt, they were exceedingly white. [3]
Wars of the Jews
The temple had doors also at the entrance, and lintels over them, of the same height with the temple itself. They were adorned with embroidered veils, with their flowers of purple, and pillars interwoven: and over these, but under the crown work, was spread out a golden vine, with its branches hanging down from a great height, the largeness and fine workmanship of which was a surprising sight to spectators, to see what vast materials there were, and with what great skill the workmanship was done. [4]
Antiquities of the Jews
How has Christ made me radiant as the sun?
How have I come to understand my own body as “fine workmanship”?
BREAK OPEN YOUR BIBLE
3. The Awesome Glory of the High Priest
Our reflections on the Temple of Relationships have relied much on the book of Sirach – a book of wisdom about right order in relationships. How fitting it is to find that Sirach ends with a vivid description of the High Priest coming forth from the temple and blessing the people on the Day of Atonement. As I read this, I picture the heavenly liturgy where Jesus, the true High Priest ministers in a tabernacle not made by human hands and blesses all his people with the peace that flows from his eternal, once-for-all sacrifice. Maranatha!
The leader of his brothers and the pride of his people was the high priest.... How glorious he was, surrounded by the people, as he came out of the house of the curtain. Like the morning star among the clouds, like the full moon at the festal season; like the sun shining on the temple of the Most High, like the rainbow gleaming in splendid clouds; like roses in the days of first fruits, like lilies by a spring of water, like a green shoot on Lebanon on a summer day; like fire and incense in the censer, like a vessel of hammered gold studded with all kinds of precious stones;
...When he put on his glorious robe and clothed himself in perfect splendor, when he went up to the holy altar, he made the court of the sanctuary glorious. When he received the portions from the hands of the priests, as he stood by the hearth of the altar with a garland of brothers around him, he was like a young cedar on Lebanon surrounded by the trunks of palm trees. All the sons of Aaron in their splendor held the Lord’s offering in their hands before the whole congregation of Israel.
Finishing the service at the altars, and arranging the offering to the Most High, the Almighty, he held out his hand for the cup and poured a drink offering of the blood of the grape; he poured it out at the foot of the altar, a pleasing odor to the Most High, the king of all. Then the sons of Aaron shouted; they blew their trumpets of hammered metal; they sounded a mighty fanfare as a reminder before the Most High. Then all the people together quickly fell to the ground on their faces to worship their Lord, the Almighty, God Most High. Then the singers praised him with their voices in sweet and full-toned melody. And the people of the Lord Most High offered their prayers before the Merciful One, until the order of worship of the Lord was ended, and they completed his ritual.
Then Simon came down and raised his hands over the whole congregation of Israelites, to pronounce the blessing of the Lord with his lips, and to glory in his name; and they bowed down in worship a second time, to receive the blessing from the Most High.
And now bless the God of all, who everywhere works great wonders, who fosters our growth from birth, and deals with us according to his mercy. May he give us[g] gladness of heart, and may there be peace....
Sirach 50:1a, 5-7, 9, 11-23
Lord Jesus, I receive your blessing of peace and ask for a wise heart with which to discern the signs of the times and the truth of my own vocation. I ask a humble and listening spirit, the special grace of understanding and above all, the courage to do your will.
Amen.
PROCEED TO THE FIFTH CONSECRATION RITE BELOW
Answer Key for #1: A6; B5; C2; D1; E4; F3
Conclude with
“Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be.
World without end, Amen.”
FIFTH CONSECRATION
Again you’ll perform a short consecration rite using your Ebenezer. The elements of this rite are the same as the previous.
You’ll need: olive oil, a teaspoon , a small dish or plate, a candle and your stone of help. You’ll also need a towel or some paper towels.
Go to your quiet, private place. On a level surface, place the dish with your Ebenezer in the center. Near the dish, place the candle and light it. Have the olive oil to your right along with the teaspoon.
PARAZ: FIFTH CONSECRATION RITE
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
[Read aloud the story of David’s defeat of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-26, 31-50)]
Lord Jesus, your servant David took five smooth stones into battle against his adversary and won a great victory. Though the enemy boasted against you and against your people, you slew him by empowering your servant though he was only a lowly shepherd. I, too, am your lowly servant Lord. I confess to you that I am afraid of being deceived in this time of discernment; of choosing the wrong path and of ending up in a place apart from your will.
Lord Jesus, as I conclude the second part of this novena and offer you this fifth consecration prayer, I recall David’s courage to take only five stones into battle against a far stronger enemy. Likewise, Lord, grant me the courage to stand against the deceptions of the Evil One as I continue to seek your will. Give me wisdom to recognize when lies are presented to me in the guise of truth. Open my eyes to see when Satan proposes vocational paths and life projects that may appear as good and worthy aims, but that in fact fall far short of your perfect plans for my life.
(pour olive oil into teaspoon, and then pour the teaspoon out over the stone in the center of the dish).
Jesus, I consecrate this stone to you and I rename it Paraz (2 Samuel 5:17-21). The name is for your power, Lord, to break through the wall of deception and fear which the enemy builds around me to trap me and cut me off. Lord Jesus, in the weeks to come when I am tempted to fear being “trapped” in the wrong vocation and I feel this stone in my pocket, I will turn to you in trust and say, “Lord Jesus, not to my name, but to your name be the glory.” Jesus, when I pray, please remind me that the Father in heaven will assist me because I am his child. He will never allow one who seeks in faith to go unaided, as you assured us: “What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11ff).
Jesus I ask, therefore, in confidence that you will lead me to victory over the Enemy and show me the path of life in a vocation that will bring you glory and win many souls for your heavenly kingdom. I pray this in your name, Lord Jesus, who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
Amen.
Hail Mary…
Dry off your Ebenezer and return it to your pocket.
[0] lead quote - Fire and Ice by Robert Frost, The Poetry of Robert Frost: The Collected Poems, New York, Henry Holt and Company, LLD, 1969, p 220
[1] George Weigel, The End and the Beginning, Pope John Paul II – The Victory of Freedom, the Last Years, the Legacy, 2010 New York, Doubleday, p. 232
[2] J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, Lord of the Rings trilogy, part 1, Ballantine Books, New York, 1965, pp. 55f
[3] The Works of Josephus, Complete and Unabridged, Wars of the Jews, Book 5, Ch. 6, ed. by William Whiston, Hendrickson Publishers 1987, pp. , 222, 223
[4] ibid. Antiquities of the Jews, Book 15, Ch. 11, pp. 394, 395