Comments on: Surrendering to God http://anunslife.org/2008/02/11/surrender/ Catholic Sisters and Nuns in Today's World Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:58:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Sister Julie http://anunslife.org/2008/02/11/surrender/#comment-2369 Sister Julie Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:54:18 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=583#comment-2369 I am so sorry, Marco. Please know that you and Timmy's loved ones are in my prayers. "Becoming most fully alive" doesn't mean that we are perfectly healthy -- it means embracing all of life, even the really terrible parts, the painful parts, and yes, even death. Though I know these words to be true, they also ring hollow in the face of the death of a loved one. Nothing feels right about death. I still grieve the death of a second-grader and friend named John who died when I was in 7th grade. Yet I believe and sometimes even sense a fleeting feeling that John is truly home and fully himself. That pleases me and consoles me greatly. I will be sure to ask John to look out for Timmy, though I have no doubt that Timmy is resting peaceful in the arms of our loving God. Marco, you are such a blessing in Timmy's life. I can feel the deep love and affection you have for him. You have no idea how fully alive you made Timmy feel. I'm sure he's watching out for you now. Please know my/our prayers and support are with you. Sister Julie I am so sorry, Marco. Please know that you and Timmy’s loved ones are in my prayers. “Becoming most fully alive” doesn’t mean that we are perfectly healthy — it means embracing all of life, even the really terrible parts, the painful parts, and yes, even death. Though I know these words to be true, they also ring hollow in the face of the death of a loved one. Nothing feels right about death. I still grieve the death of a second-grader and friend named John who died when I was in 7th grade. Yet I believe and sometimes even sense a fleeting feeling that John is truly home and fully himself. That pleases me and consoles me greatly. I will be sure to ask John to look out for Timmy, though I have no doubt that Timmy is resting peaceful in the arms of our loving God.

Marco, you are such a blessing in Timmy’s life. I can feel the deep love and affection you have for him. You have no idea how fully alive you made Timmy feel. I’m sure he’s watching out for you now.

Please know my/our prayers and support are with you. Sister Julie

]]> By: Elizabeth http://anunslife.org/2008/02/11/surrender/#comment-2370 Elizabeth Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:36:05 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=583#comment-2370 I am sorry for your pain. Personally, I think that now Timmy is in Glory and is filled with the Divine more than we can ever imagine in this world. In my mind, Timmy is Whole and Joyous and Thank-Full for the Love that is still held for him. My deepest condolences and most heartfelt Blessings... I am sorry for your pain.

Personally, I think that now Timmy is in Glory and is filled with the Divine more than we can ever imagine in this world. In my mind, Timmy is Whole and Joyous and Thank-Full for the Love that is still held for him.

My deepest condolences and most heartfelt Blessings…

]]> By: Marco http://anunslife.org/2008/02/11/surrender/#comment-2368 Marco Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:04:35 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=583#comment-2368 How can this be? "On the contrary, surrender is about becoming most fully alive by allowing God (who is our proper “home’) to fill us, become one with us." He let Timmy die. Timmy was only 8 with severe developmental disorders. Every year I ran a marathon for Timmy. His name was on the fron of my shirt. People shouted out his name as I ran by. They encouraged him to keep going. They encouraged him to not quit. Timmy died last Wednesday. He was buried on Saturday. This does not seem right. How can God fill Timmy when he is dead.? How can this be? “On the contrary, surrender is about becoming most fully alive by allowing God (who is our proper “home’) to fill us, become one with us.” He let Timmy die. Timmy was only 8 with severe developmental disorders. Every year I ran a marathon for Timmy. His name was on the fron of my shirt. People shouted out his name as I ran by. They encouraged him to keep going. They encouraged him to not quit. Timmy died last Wednesday. He was buried on Saturday. This does not seem right. How can God fill Timmy when he is dead.?

]]> By: Elizabeth http://anunslife.org/2008/02/11/surrender/#comment-2371 Elizabeth Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:29:51 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=583#comment-2371 Ah, as always you are timely with my life Path right now... I have a hard time with the traditional meanings of 'Surrendering' oneself is portrayed in the Christian theology. Granted, I am a Medievalist and specifically have studied Marguerite Porette (1342). My vision is, admittedly, a bit skewed. I do love the Arabic mystic who bellowed out his robes with his hands and said "there is nothing in my cloak but the Divine." Also, the saying that at some point [the mystic] would have no actions or desires that are not at one with the Divine. For me, Surrender is not active. I know that seems to be part of the point, but I think that part of the concept is walking what you know is Right. It's not easy some times. It's not easy most of the time. I try to cultivate knowing that the Divine has my best interest at heart. I think I quoted this before, but it seems apt: I spent a ling time Looking for my center until I looked closely one night and found it wheels and moved easily in the slightest breeze, so now I spend less time sitting and more time sailing - B. Andrias Brightest Blessings Ah, as always you are timely with my life Path right now…

I have a hard time with the traditional meanings of ‘Surrendering’ oneself is portrayed in the Christian theology. Granted, I am a Medievalist and specifically have studied Marguerite Porette (1342). My vision is, admittedly, a bit skewed.

I do love the Arabic mystic who bellowed out his robes with his hands and said “there is nothing in my cloak but the Divine.” Also, the saying that at some point [the mystic] would have no actions or desires that are not at one with the Divine.

For me, Surrender is not active. I know that seems to be part of the point, but I think that part of the concept is walking what you know is Right. It’s not easy some times. It’s not easy most of the time. I try to cultivate knowing that the Divine has my best interest at heart.

I think I quoted this before, but it seems apt:

I spent a ling time Looking for my center
until I looked closely one night
and found it wheels
and moved easily in the slightest breeze,
so now I spend less time sitting
and more time sailing – B. Andrias

Brightest Blessings

]]> By: Ann http://anunslife.org/2008/02/11/surrender/#comment-2372 Ann Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:52:20 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=583#comment-2372 The very word surrender suggests defeat, a losing or giving in and yet we are told by many who have given themselves over to God that the experience is in fact the opposite. It liberates rather than confines. The very word surrender suggests defeat, a losing or giving in and yet we are told by many who have given themselves over to God that the experience is in fact the opposite. It liberates rather than confines.

]]> By: Tom Cloutier, SFO http://anunslife.org/2008/02/11/surrender/#comment-2373 Tom Cloutier, SFO Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:36:05 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=583#comment-2373 It is so easy to mangle "Thy will be done" into "My will be done"..In a world that is so often out of control, we want to maintain the illusion that we actually do have control over most situations, so everything becomes what I want, when I want it and how i want it. And in the process, much against God's patient and loving will for us, we, to quote the Bard, "sweat and strain under a weary life". Meanwhile my big sister, Therese of Lisieux, constantly has to remind me, "How naughty it is to spend the night fretting instead of resting on the heart of Jesus." Surrender , in this context,shows ultimate confidence and trust in the one who loved us into being, whose very thought maintains our existence, whose arms are always open to strengthen and enfold, and whose heart burns brightly for we wayward sons and daughters. It is so easy to mangle “Thy will be done” into “My will be done”..In a world that is so often out of control, we want to maintain the illusion that we actually do have control over most situations, so everything becomes what I want, when I want it and how i want it. And in the process, much against God’s patient and loving will for us, we, to quote the Bard, “sweat and strain under a weary life”. Meanwhile my big sister, Therese of Lisieux, constantly has to remind me, “How naughty it is to spend the night fretting instead of resting on the heart of Jesus.”

Surrender , in this context,shows ultimate confidence and trust in the one who loved us into being, whose very thought maintains our existence, whose arms are always open to strengthen and enfold, and whose heart burns brightly for we wayward sons and daughters.

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