Five Hard Truths That Will Set You Free...

[Michie]

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

Some years ago I read an essay by the Franciscan Theologian Richard Rohr. I will say, (honestly) that I do not share a lot of agreement with Richard Rohr (no need to detail that here), but I found this particular essay compelling. I do not recall the exact title of that essay but in my mind the title “Five Hard Truths that Will Set You Free” seems the best title. The following five truths from that essay are indeed hard truths. They tend to rock our world and stab at the heart of some of our most cherished modern notions. But if they can be accepted for the truth they convey they bring great peace. We live is a rather self-absorbed, self-focused time and these five truths are not only good medicine for that but they also help us to have more realistic expectations as we live in an imperfect and limited world. Study these truths well. If they irritate you a bit, good, they’re supposed to. They are meant to provoke thought and reassessment. The principles are Richard Rohr’s the comments are mine.


1. Life is hard -We live in rather comfortable times. These are times of convenience and central air conditioning. Medicine has removed a lot of pain and suffering, and consumer goods are in abundance and variety. Entertainment comes in many varieties and is often inexpensive. Hard labor is something few of us know, obesity is common due to over abundance.

Because of all these creature comforts we have tended to expect that life should always be peachy. We are rather outraged at suffering, inconvenience and delay.

Our ancestors lived lives that were far more brutal and short, and they often spoke of life as a “vale of tears,” and understood that suffering was just a part of life. But when we suffer we start to think in terms of lawsuits. Suffering seems obnoxious to us, hard work, unreasonable! We are often easily angered and flung into anxiety at the mere threat of suffering.

This principle reminds us that suffering and difficulty are part of life, something that should be expected. Accepting suffering does not mean we have to like it. But acceptance of the fact that life can be hard at times means we get less angry and anxious when it does come. We do not lose serenity. Accepting that suffering is inevitable, brings a strange sort of peace. We are freed from unrealistic expectations that merely breed resentments. We also become more grateful for the joys we do experience. Accepting that life can be hard is a truth that sets us free.

2. Your life is not about you- If you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans. If you really want to give him a belly laugh, tell Him, His plans! We often like to think that we should just be able to do what ever pleases us and maximizes our “self-actualization.” However, we do not decide alone what course our life will take.

In this age of “nobody tells me what to do” it is important to be reminded that our true happiness comes not from getting what we want, but what God wants. Our destiny isn’t to follow our star but to follow God. True peace comes from careful discernment of God’s will for us.

Continued- Five Hard Truths That Will Set You Free...

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

Wow and I always thought it was this:

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’

So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

So it is following Jesus and his word that sets us free. We all need the Holy spirit in our lives.

 

[Michie]

Wow and I always thought it was this:





So it is following Jesus and his word that sets us free. We all need the Holy spirit in our lives.

That is what a lot of protestants think.

Not saying it isn't so but all of them claim it yet disagree split off, etc., etc.

Wonder what the problem is?

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

That is what a lot of protestants think.

Not saying it isn't so but all of them claim it yet disagree split off, etc., etc.

Wonder what the problem is?

I can't speak for the Protestants, I was only quoting the word of God. So maybe we should question the word of God ?

 

[Michie]

I can't speak for the Protestants, I was only quoting the word of God. So maybe we should question the word of God ?

I'm not questioning the Word of God. I'm familiar with it.

I question past experience.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

I'm not questioning the Word of God. I'm familiar with it.

I question past experience.

That I can't answer, but to say that man is infallible whether he be Catholic, Protestant of Buddhist. It is not uncommon in any institutional church.

The Catholics split, i.e. Orthodox and Catholic. The Protestants left the Catholics. The SSPX has split from the Catholic church.

But all this aside, the word of God is the same, yesterday, today and forever.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

My only beef was, that man sometimes tries to repackage and complicate the simple word of God. I wish the Church would implore the flock to "Read the Word" !

If we read the word, then we wouldn't need to run to and fro. Heresies would be unmasked, i.e. Marianist, those who claim that Mary speaks to them or shows up on a saltine cracker. Ok soap box ended.

 

[Michie]

That I can't answer, but to say that man is infallible whether he be Catholic, Protestant of Buddhist. It is not uncommon in any institutional church.

The Catholics split, i.e. Orthodox and Catholic. The Protestants left the Catholics. The SSPX has split from the Catholic church.

But all this aside, the word of God is the same, yesterday, today and forever.



My only beef was, that man sometimes tries to repackage and complicate the simple word of God. I wish the Church would implore the flock to "Read the Word" !

If we read the word, then we wouldn't need to run to and fro. Heresies would be unmasked, i.e. Marianist, those who claim that Mary speaks to them or shows up on a saltine cracker. Ok soap box ended.

I get you.

But we do read the word & encouraged to do so. My advantage was having read the word before coming into the RCC. So I was already acclimated to doing so.

But you know, habits are hard to break on both sides of the fence.

What drives me up a wall is a Catholic telling me they know all they need to know about the Bible from Mass.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

I get you.

But we do read the word & encouraged to do so. My advantage was having read the word before coming into the RCC. So I was already acclimated to doing so.

But you know, habits are hard to break on both sides of the fence.

What drives me up a wall is a Catholic telling me they know all they need to know about the Bible from Mass.

I agree. I can say that being a cradle Catholic, my Protestant friends showed the importance of scripture.

 

[Michie]

I agree. I can say that being a cradle Catholic, my Protestant friends showed the importance of scripture.

Yes indeed. And for that I'm grateful.

 

[Fantine]

The book from which inspired this article is "Adam's Return."

Spirituality & Practice: Book Review: Adam's Return, by Richard Rohr

I had hoped it was an article. When Msgr. Pope said he didn't agree with Richard Rohr (whom I admire) about many things, I wanted to go to the source rather than read his interpretation.