Spiritual Direction – Life Conversations
with Bernadette Micallef
This article was written by Michelle Jones, Australia.
She writes, For many of us, online meetings and conferences have become the new normal. They challenge us to be mindful of the kind of “presence” we bring to such encounters. Surprisingly, St Teresa of Avila’s teaching on prayer is a rich resource for cultivating a generous and fruitful presence at online meetings. It describes our zoom fatigue and the challenge to be fully present. Click here to read more about “Zooming with St Teresa.”
Forgiveness works the miracle of change.
When Abraham Lincoln was asked
why he did not destroy his enemies, he replied,
‘If I make my enemies my friends,
do I not thereby destroy them?’
The art of forgiveness consists in having a humble spirit.
When you forgive you change yourself
and other people as well.
You free yourself from the burden of bitterness,
and you loose others from the chain of guilt.
Forgiveness works two ways:
you must forgive in order to be forgiven.
Those who cannot forgive break down the bridge
over which they themselves must pass,
for everybody needs to be forgiven.
Forgiveness should start now.
Putting it off only deepens the wound.
Clinging to bitterness postpones happiness.
Life is short, time is fleeting.
Today is the day to forgive.
Fr Terry msc
Cherry blossom blooms
Click and send, sharing delight
beyond the border. [while out for a walk]
Restricted body
Sun reaches past all boundaries
restoring freedom. [while feeling unwell and resting in the sun]
Beyond screen of heads
with wise words or muted smiles
a currawong calls. [after a zoom meeting]
Written August 2020 during Stage 4 lock-down in Melbourne, Australia.
I’ve included the following two poems as others may relate to these experiences. Being in such a place is never a permanent state and most often it is through relationship with another, a conversation with another, that can be the pathway out.
“How are you?” you ask
the question I dread
yet long for.
The answer I can’t speak
yet long to share.
I am so alone
so confused
so tired of life.
Words spoken in thought
remain locked in silence
heard by no one.
Tears released in solitude
flow to no end
received by no one.
Comfort longed for
carves a cavern of desire
answered by no one.
“I’m okay,” I answer.
“Why do you ask?” I wonder.
BM 16/03/2004
“Do you want to talk?”
I don’t want to be a nuisance.
“Don’t you” were the words
but it was the smile.
It was the smile that answered me.
It said
you are not a nuisance
you are someone of value.
It said
trust me
talk to me
whatever comes forth
will be welcomed.
YOU will be welcomed.
So I talked
and I was welcomed.
BM 3/11/2003
When we say this prayer, God gently and gradually removes layers of emotional scar tissue while we sleep, allowing us to be happier, more loving people.
SLEEPING OFF THE SCARS
Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, go back into my memory as I sleep.
Every hurt that has ever been done to me – heal that hurt.
Every hurt that I have ever caused to another person – heal that hurt.
All the relationships that have been damaged in my whole life that I am not aware of – heal those relationships.
But if there is anything that I need to do – if I need to go to a person because they are still suffering from my hand, bring to my awareness that person.
I choose to forgive, and I ask to be forgiven.
Remove whatever bitterness may be in my heart and fill the empty spaces with your love.
Thank you, Jesus, Amen.
Resting in Love
Pull up an easy chair, my love,
Come sit with me and rest.
Kick off the shoes that hurry you,
Close the eyes that see such need.
Lean back in comfort,
beyond yourself
in the easy chair of My Love.
BM 18/9/2004
Incline your Heart
Incline your heart to me, my love,
and still your weary mind:
No past to mull, no future plan,
No problem to unwind.
With Love as guide and comforter
there’s no need to discern:
Lean in and be with me in peace
and rest without concern.
BM 5/5/2016
