It's difficult to put into words the experience of reading Pannikar. Sometimes it did feel like being submerged in waters to deep or great waves overwhelming my little life raft, taking me down, only to come up again a little while later, choking, gasping for breath; but also the thrill of a surfer riding the waves back to shore.
Father Panikkar has helped broaden and deepen my appreciation for Jesus, for Christ, for life itself. Though he may not have wrapped up his book with the conclusions some of may have hoped for, for myself, the conclusion seems to be brought down to the simple level of being, of presence, and of my practice of taking my seat of meditation and there in that space learning to empty myself (Kenosis), to let go, and allow for that warm space of abundance, of love, grace and the divine presence.
I have not always been faithful to my seated-practice of meditation. Sometimes life gets in the way. Over the past six months, I've experienced several health problems, including pneumonia; and recently my wife was gang rushed by about 60+ students during a mini-riot at the school she at, was injured, bruised all over her body, her shoulder torn out of socket, etc., that left her with one arm in a sling and trying to hobble around on a crutch with the other. She just had surgery yesterday and is in alot of pain; and she still has not been paid for worker's compensation.
Yet, in the midst of all this, even though my sitting for specific times of meditation has been blown off course a bit, there is still that gentle returning again and again to awareness (spiritual awareness like the Welcoming Prayer) of the divine presence in the midst of life's waves, somehow learning to manifest rather than just believing or mental assents. I feel somehow different and I think a large portion is the outpouring of love and wisdom I experienced in Pannikar-his book and video's I have watched, like the Window, etc.
We've been married for almost 22 years, and my wife has been through many surgeries and health issues; yet, this is the first time she's really noticed in a deep way that I was there for her, beside her, and caring for her, whether going to doctor's visits, cleaning the house, or just bringing her another ice pack. It's almost like I was invisible before but both of us have changed in our love for each other and experience of God. We are more aware of each other, of love and presence. There is a softening, gentling, deepening, expanding, breathing, experience of something other, that I am sensing withing myself; and a greater awareness of others, even little creatures and insects who are breathing the same air that I am.
No, I cannot explain it any better than Pannikar. But I think the answer lies within each one of us, within our own experience of this deepening Christophany; and as our experience of this something other in love embraces and is embraced with others who are also experiencing this deepening, together we will find the answer, both out there and withing ourselves.
-from an unpublished draft in June 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Christ's reality is not limited to saving souls
A quote by Father Raimon Pannikar seemed relevant today considering how many people were expecting the rapture or end of the world.
Christ's reality is not limited to saving souls
Although history must not be neglected, neither may Christ's historical role be ignored, Christ's reality is not limited to saving souls, making them, so to speak, ascend to heaven. Christ's full reality cannot be split into three nor reduced to one function. Christ is the Only Begotten and First Begotten, Mary's son and Son of Man, the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega, this is why his reality transcends the categories of substance and individuality, as well as other concepts that need to be reeaximined, like those of creation and redemption.
A spiritual comment may help us understand what such a christophany accentuates. Our fidelity to and love of Christ do not alienate us from our kindred—which includes angels, animals, plants, the earth, and, of course, men and women. Christ is a symbol of union, friendship, and love, not a wall that separates. Jesus is certainly a sign of contradiction, not because he separates us from others but rather because he heals our hypocrisies, fears, and egoism, while leaving us as vulnerable as himself. Instead of rejecting others because they are pagan, nonbelievers, sinners—whereas we are righteous and justified—Jesus impels us toward others and makes us see the negative which is in us too. Insofar as we share love, sympathy, suffering, and joy with all our neighbors, we discover the true face of Christ that is in all of us. “You have done it to me” (Matthew 25:40) is no simple moral exhortation to do good; it is rather an ontological assertion of Christ’s presence in the other, in every other, in the smallest of the small—not for the purpose of discovering an “other” hidden in the neighbor but in order to discover the neighbor as part of ourselves. In fact, neither those on the right nor the left are conscious of the presence of Christ (Matthew 25:37) because what matters is the human face of the neighbor.
[Part 3 Christophany: The Christic Experience: Chapter 6—The Protological, Historical, and Eschatological Christ Is a Unique and Selfsame Reality,
Distended in Time, Extended in Space, and Intentional in Us, p. 168]
Christ's reality is not limited to saving souls
Although history must not be neglected, neither may Christ's historical role be ignored, Christ's reality is not limited to saving souls, making them, so to speak, ascend to heaven. Christ's full reality cannot be split into three nor reduced to one function. Christ is the Only Begotten and First Begotten, Mary's son and Son of Man, the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega, this is why his reality transcends the categories of substance and individuality, as well as other concepts that need to be reeaximined, like those of creation and redemption.
A spiritual comment may help us understand what such a christophany accentuates. Our fidelity to and love of Christ do not alienate us from our kindred—which includes angels, animals, plants, the earth, and, of course, men and women. Christ is a symbol of union, friendship, and love, not a wall that separates. Jesus is certainly a sign of contradiction, not because he separates us from others but rather because he heals our hypocrisies, fears, and egoism, while leaving us as vulnerable as himself. Instead of rejecting others because they are pagan, nonbelievers, sinners—whereas we are righteous and justified—Jesus impels us toward others and makes us see the negative which is in us too. Insofar as we share love, sympathy, suffering, and joy with all our neighbors, we discover the true face of Christ that is in all of us. “You have done it to me” (Matthew 25:40) is no simple moral exhortation to do good; it is rather an ontological assertion of Christ’s presence in the other, in every other, in the smallest of the small—not for the purpose of discovering an “other” hidden in the neighbor but in order to discover the neighbor as part of ourselves. In fact, neither those on the right nor the left are conscious of the presence of Christ (Matthew 25:37) because what matters is the human face of the neighbor.
[Part 3 Christophany: The Christic Experience: Chapter 6—The Protological, Historical, and Eschatological Christ Is a Unique and Selfsame Reality,
Distended in Time, Extended in Space, and Intentional in Us, p. 168]
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Just War Theory & Gravitation from Above- a Christian Way of Seeing
Just War Theory & Gravitation from Above- a Christian Way of Seeing
Unfortunately, most who've read and responded to my article on "My Reflections of the Death of Osama Bin Laden", on or offline, have my missed my point, though my brother Jose grasped and articulated part of it. I was not making a campaign of sympathy for Osama; nor was I suggesting that his death was unnecessary. In fact, I made it explicitly clear that I believe in the "Just War" theology; that it was a Necessary Killing; and that as a former soldier I would probably have taken the shot- though I would hope I could have done it from a deeper place of "being in Christ" than mere hate and vengeance.
As a side note what is Just War Theory? It deals with the morality regarding the Use of Force, and moral reasons and conditions for "legitimate defense by military force" which justify war under those certain conditions. Some of these include:
* when it is right to resort to armed force?
* what is acceptable in using such force?
* the justice of war termination and peace agreements, as well as the prosecution of war criminals.(jus post bellum)
* the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;
* all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;
* there must be serious prospects of success;
* the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power as well as the precision of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.
However, what I was referring to was a different level of consciousness or awareness that Christ calls us to- the Unitive Vision when our Eye is Single ("when your Eye is single you shall be full of light") and not caught up in duality and our false-self system of Ego -based grasping and aversions; and that many Christians who are called to love even our enemies (from a higher source) were manifesting hate.
Not sure who said this, but its true nevertheless: "I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."
We see an example of this in Peter when Jesus bids him to walk on the water with him. Cynthia Bougeault tells it like this:
"As the narrative unfolds in Matthew 14:22–33, the disciples are making a somewhat stormy late-night boat passage across the Sea of Galilee when they suddenly see Jesus walking toward them on the water. “Do not be afraid,” he tells them; “for it is I”—or as the biblical Greek literally reads, “for I Am.” Peter, always the impetuous one, plunges out of the boat and starts walking across the water toward his master. In the language of the tradition, he is under the sway of “gravitation
from above,” his heart so pointedly fixed on Jesus that he rises briefly to Jesus’ level of being, a level of being at which the laws of the physical universe are transcended. He nearly makes it, too—but suddenly he feels the storm against his face, realizes that what he’s doing is impossible, and becomes frightened. And of course, at that moment he sinks. It is a vivid metaphor, not only to help us grasp what level of being means but also against which to measure our contemporary shortfall."
We cannot live out the true depths of Jesus Christ's teaching from the false-self system of egoic consciousness; nor from just mere going to church and singing praise songs (wonderful though those are). He calls us to a different kind of Mind, what Paul both calls the "Inner Man" of the "Mind of Christ." Having the Christ Mind is not just mental assent to Creeds and Doctrine; it is the unitive experience of the Singleness of the Eye, where we can love our enemies (which again doesn't mean being doormats) from this higher dimension of our being-which is exactly what Christ calls us to.
Christ did not come to be merely our Lord and Savior but also as the "moshel meshalim (Master of Wisdom)” and the Life-Giver. But we have over emphasized his role as Savior to the exclusion of his being Life-Giver; and have made Christianity nothing more than moral platitudes and an Evacuation Plan for the Afterlife (I got my ticket to heaven!); and so, we end up making excuses that we are not Jesus to justify our hatred-which is a contradiction of everything Christ calls us to be.
But Christ also came to Give us Life, to Awaken us to the higher reality of being in Union with God, to be Partakes of his Divine Nature, to existentially experience the transformation of our egoic consciousness to that of Having the Mind of Christ, and putting on the Inner Man. He came to "MIRROR" for us who we are to "Be" in and through Him.
As he said to the woman at the well (John 4),
“If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water....“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
When we truly begin to "Recognize" Christ, and ask for that drink of Infinite Life, then out of our own innermost being comes forth this living water. This transformation comes from prayer and learning to be Still-to still our normal and fallen egoic way of thinking through meditation and contemplation). Be still and know God.
Maurice Nicoll speaks of the faltering steps of learning to See like Jesus when she says: “As one’s level of being increases, receptivity to higher meaning increases. As one’s being decreases, the old meanings return.”
It was out of one of those moments when I was caught up in the "gravitation from above" and could see and feel things from that deeper well of being where we begin to experience the Mind and Love of Christ that I was speaking.
If only I could learn to live in that state of being but "As one’s being decreases, the old meanings return."
Unfortunately, most who've read and responded to my article on "My Reflections of the Death of Osama Bin Laden", on or offline, have my missed my point, though my brother Jose grasped and articulated part of it. I was not making a campaign of sympathy for Osama; nor was I suggesting that his death was unnecessary. In fact, I made it explicitly clear that I believe in the "Just War" theology; that it was a Necessary Killing; and that as a former soldier I would probably have taken the shot- though I would hope I could have done it from a deeper place of "being in Christ" than mere hate and vengeance.
As a side note what is Just War Theory? It deals with the morality regarding the Use of Force, and moral reasons and conditions for "legitimate defense by military force" which justify war under those certain conditions. Some of these include:
* when it is right to resort to armed force?
* what is acceptable in using such force?
* the justice of war termination and peace agreements, as well as the prosecution of war criminals.(jus post bellum)
* the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;
* all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;
* there must be serious prospects of success;
* the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power as well as the precision of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.
However, what I was referring to was a different level of consciousness or awareness that Christ calls us to- the Unitive Vision when our Eye is Single ("when your Eye is single you shall be full of light") and not caught up in duality and our false-self system of Ego -based grasping and aversions; and that many Christians who are called to love even our enemies (from a higher source) were manifesting hate.
Not sure who said this, but its true nevertheless: "I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."
We see an example of this in Peter when Jesus bids him to walk on the water with him. Cynthia Bougeault tells it like this:
"As the narrative unfolds in Matthew 14:22–33, the disciples are making a somewhat stormy late-night boat passage across the Sea of Galilee when they suddenly see Jesus walking toward them on the water. “Do not be afraid,” he tells them; “for it is I”—or as the biblical Greek literally reads, “for I Am.” Peter, always the impetuous one, plunges out of the boat and starts walking across the water toward his master. In the language of the tradition, he is under the sway of “gravitation
from above,” his heart so pointedly fixed on Jesus that he rises briefly to Jesus’ level of being, a level of being at which the laws of the physical universe are transcended. He nearly makes it, too—but suddenly he feels the storm against his face, realizes that what he’s doing is impossible, and becomes frightened. And of course, at that moment he sinks. It is a vivid metaphor, not only to help us grasp what level of being means but also against which to measure our contemporary shortfall."
We cannot live out the true depths of Jesus Christ's teaching from the false-self system of egoic consciousness; nor from just mere going to church and singing praise songs (wonderful though those are). He calls us to a different kind of Mind, what Paul both calls the "Inner Man" of the "Mind of Christ." Having the Christ Mind is not just mental assent to Creeds and Doctrine; it is the unitive experience of the Singleness of the Eye, where we can love our enemies (which again doesn't mean being doormats) from this higher dimension of our being-which is exactly what Christ calls us to.
Christ did not come to be merely our Lord and Savior but also as the "moshel meshalim (Master of Wisdom)” and the Life-Giver. But we have over emphasized his role as Savior to the exclusion of his being Life-Giver; and have made Christianity nothing more than moral platitudes and an Evacuation Plan for the Afterlife (I got my ticket to heaven!); and so, we end up making excuses that we are not Jesus to justify our hatred-which is a contradiction of everything Christ calls us to be.
But Christ also came to Give us Life, to Awaken us to the higher reality of being in Union with God, to be Partakes of his Divine Nature, to existentially experience the transformation of our egoic consciousness to that of Having the Mind of Christ, and putting on the Inner Man. He came to "MIRROR" for us who we are to "Be" in and through Him.
As he said to the woman at the well (John 4),
“If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water....“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
When we truly begin to "Recognize" Christ, and ask for that drink of Infinite Life, then out of our own innermost being comes forth this living water. This transformation comes from prayer and learning to be Still-to still our normal and fallen egoic way of thinking through meditation and contemplation). Be still and know God.
Maurice Nicoll speaks of the faltering steps of learning to See like Jesus when she says: “As one’s level of being increases, receptivity to higher meaning increases. As one’s being decreases, the old meanings return.”
It was out of one of those moments when I was caught up in the "gravitation from above" and could see and feel things from that deeper well of being where we begin to experience the Mind and Love of Christ that I was speaking.
If only I could learn to live in that state of being but "As one’s being decreases, the old meanings return."
Sunday, May 1, 2011
My Reflections of the Death of Osama Bin Laden
I felt mixed emotions at the news. It was a necessary killing but to rejoice in another mans death, still bothered me.
I once read where someone asked the Dali Lama whether is was ok to kill another if it would prevent the torture or killing of many other lives. He said only if it could be done out of a heart filled with compassion and love. But he also said, "But I don't think I could do it."
I'm not a Buddhist but both the Buddha and Jesus Christ taught non-violence. Yes, there is the theology of the "Just War." Sometimes it is necessary. But it should be "executed" from a deeper place than mere hate and vengeance. If I had to take the shot, I would probably have done it (I was a Soldier once) but I would hope that I would have done it out of love and compassion and justice for those who had died because of him and love for those who would not die tomorrow because of him; and not because my heart was full of anger, hatred and vengeance. Vengeance belongs to the Lord.
So, yes, I felt grateful but sickened by those who rejoiced in any mans death. perhaps its just a passing emotion from my current spiritual state of awareness. But nevertheless, I feel a conflict of emotions and thoughts. Justice was served but I weep for both his death and those he had killed.
Don't get me wrong. I am grateful. It was a necessary killing. But what bothers me is the hate I sense in the people who rejoice over it. I do not hate Obama. I pity him, for he is now probably in hell. But I love and weep for those who have died and rejoice for those who will live because or not die because of his death.
I guess its just this subtle something that is changing in me over the past year. I see things from a different sense of consciousness and heart. Not that I am living a holy and righteous life. It hasn't changed my lusts, fears and weaknesses. I just feel them all from a different place that I have ever been before.
Reflections from Sacred Scripture:
-"Do you think I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live." Ezekiel 18:23
Jesus Christ's Sermon on the Mount(Excerpts)-Matthew 5-7
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Murder
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 7
Judging Others
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Romans 12.14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
etc, etc, etc
I once read where someone asked the Dali Lama whether is was ok to kill another if it would prevent the torture or killing of many other lives. He said only if it could be done out of a heart filled with compassion and love. But he also said, "But I don't think I could do it."
I'm not a Buddhist but both the Buddha and Jesus Christ taught non-violence. Yes, there is the theology of the "Just War." Sometimes it is necessary. But it should be "executed" from a deeper place than mere hate and vengeance. If I had to take the shot, I would probably have done it (I was a Soldier once) but I would hope that I would have done it out of love and compassion and justice for those who had died because of him and love for those who would not die tomorrow because of him; and not because my heart was full of anger, hatred and vengeance. Vengeance belongs to the Lord.
So, yes, I felt grateful but sickened by those who rejoiced in any mans death. perhaps its just a passing emotion from my current spiritual state of awareness. But nevertheless, I feel a conflict of emotions and thoughts. Justice was served but I weep for both his death and those he had killed.
Don't get me wrong. I am grateful. It was a necessary killing. But what bothers me is the hate I sense in the people who rejoice over it. I do not hate Obama. I pity him, for he is now probably in hell. But I love and weep for those who have died and rejoice for those who will live because or not die because of his death.
I guess its just this subtle something that is changing in me over the past year. I see things from a different sense of consciousness and heart. Not that I am living a holy and righteous life. It hasn't changed my lusts, fears and weaknesses. I just feel them all from a different place that I have ever been before.
Reflections from Sacred Scripture:
-"Do you think I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live." Ezekiel 18:23
Jesus Christ's Sermon on the Mount(Excerpts)-Matthew 5-7
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Murder
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 7
Judging Others
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Romans 12.14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
etc, etc, etc
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Deepening the Mystery of the Trinity- Why Feminizing the Trinity Won't Work- A Metaphysical Perspective by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault
Deepening the Mystery of the Trinity-Why Feminizing the Trinity Won't Work-
A Metaphysical Perspective by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault
http://archive.cacradicalgrace.org/conferences/post_sog/trinity.html
A Metaphysical Perspective by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault
http://archive.cacradicalgrace.org/conferences/post_sog/trinity.html
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Review on "The Rite-The Making of a Modern Exorcist" by Matt Baglio
The Rite-The Making of a Modern Exorcist
by Matt Baglio
Review by Father Aidan J. Hix, O.S.C.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
C.S. Lewis once said "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them." When I was a teenager, my friend Arlon and I would read books on the Occult, demons and Possession by several supposed Christian authors such as Nicky Cruz’s book, “Satan on the Loose.” I felt both excited and terrified by the prospect of ever encountering such a phenomena as a demon or a demon possessed person.
In fact, even now, as an ordained priest, the idea seems a bit eerie! I’ve often joked around about such a prospect by saying if I was ever called upon to do an exorcism that I would call for a fleet of Fire trucks and bless each one as a container of Holy Water; then would proceed to man the water gun turret and lead the charge with all hoses on full force!
But the truth is that the problem of evil is not a laughing matter; and Matt Baglio did a wonderful job of introducing the world to darker side of faith and the battle between good and evil. He told the story of Father Gary Thomas’ journey of becoming an exorcist; and the testimonies of many who claimed to have been possessed by an outside entity and the story of their liberation, often a gradual process over a period of years.
The book provides a wide overview of the multifaceted issues concerning Demon Possession and Exorcism. He touches briefly on the historical and Biblical development of the idea of the “Devil”, Angelology, Demonology, as well as other Theological concerns; including the development and use of the Roman Catholic Ritual of Exorcism. All of which decry the sensationalist portrayals of Hollywood.
However, he does not focus only on the question of personified evil and possession from a religious, albeit Catholic perspective; but commits an entire section of the book to discuss how modern research from the scientific and medical community accounts for “anomalous healing.” This covers such exciting concepts as:
• healing vs curing
• voodoo possession as a kind of psychotherapy or Folk Therapy
• advances in neuroscience
• benefits of an exorcism in treating people with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
• Reattributing techniques
• Placebo effects
• therapeutic rituals
• Expectancy
• Motivational Concordance
• Self-actualization
• Prayer as a therapeutic ritual
• Quantum Entanglement & healing from a distance
• The Spiritual Brain and Mystical Experiences
• Differentiating the source from psychosis to possession
Matt Baglio’s book goes along way in debunking the sensational misunderstanding of the Catholic practice of exorcism. Most exorcisms are quite mundane with very little physical manifestation, though some can be quite violent. Although there are still stories of abuse and deaths of victims of possible possessions due to medieval like practices, the practice in the American catholic church is that a candidate for exorcism must have a complete physical and psychological/psychiatric evaluation and the permission of a bishop prior to an exorcism ever being done.
Interestingly, a major part of the ongoing process of deliverance ministry is assisting the afflicted person being “proactive” in their own recovery by a return to the spiritual disciplines of going to church, prayer, the Sacraments (especially Confession and Holy Communion) and putting their faith in God. It reminds us that this is a ministry to people who are hurting and afflicted; and not merely engaging in the sensational or paranormal.
I believe Matt Baglio’s book, The Rite, is one of the best books I’ve ever read on this aspect of Pastoral Ministry; and should be part of every pastor’s arsenal. It certainly touched me deeply and dispelled many of my fears and concerns; and reminded me of the power of faith and the hope we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.
by Matt Baglio
Review by Father Aidan J. Hix, O.S.C.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
C.S. Lewis once said "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them." When I was a teenager, my friend Arlon and I would read books on the Occult, demons and Possession by several supposed Christian authors such as Nicky Cruz’s book, “Satan on the Loose.” I felt both excited and terrified by the prospect of ever encountering such a phenomena as a demon or a demon possessed person.
In fact, even now, as an ordained priest, the idea seems a bit eerie! I’ve often joked around about such a prospect by saying if I was ever called upon to do an exorcism that I would call for a fleet of Fire trucks and bless each one as a container of Holy Water; then would proceed to man the water gun turret and lead the charge with all hoses on full force!
But the truth is that the problem of evil is not a laughing matter; and Matt Baglio did a wonderful job of introducing the world to darker side of faith and the battle between good and evil. He told the story of Father Gary Thomas’ journey of becoming an exorcist; and the testimonies of many who claimed to have been possessed by an outside entity and the story of their liberation, often a gradual process over a period of years.
The book provides a wide overview of the multifaceted issues concerning Demon Possession and Exorcism. He touches briefly on the historical and Biblical development of the idea of the “Devil”, Angelology, Demonology, as well as other Theological concerns; including the development and use of the Roman Catholic Ritual of Exorcism. All of which decry the sensationalist portrayals of Hollywood.
However, he does not focus only on the question of personified evil and possession from a religious, albeit Catholic perspective; but commits an entire section of the book to discuss how modern research from the scientific and medical community accounts for “anomalous healing.” This covers such exciting concepts as:
• healing vs curing
• voodoo possession as a kind of psychotherapy or Folk Therapy
• advances in neuroscience
• benefits of an exorcism in treating people with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
• Reattributing techniques
• Placebo effects
• therapeutic rituals
• Expectancy
• Motivational Concordance
• Self-actualization
• Prayer as a therapeutic ritual
• Quantum Entanglement & healing from a distance
• The Spiritual Brain and Mystical Experiences
• Differentiating the source from psychosis to possession
Matt Baglio’s book goes along way in debunking the sensational misunderstanding of the Catholic practice of exorcism. Most exorcisms are quite mundane with very little physical manifestation, though some can be quite violent. Although there are still stories of abuse and deaths of victims of possible possessions due to medieval like practices, the practice in the American catholic church is that a candidate for exorcism must have a complete physical and psychological/psychiatric evaluation and the permission of a bishop prior to an exorcism ever being done.
Interestingly, a major part of the ongoing process of deliverance ministry is assisting the afflicted person being “proactive” in their own recovery by a return to the spiritual disciplines of going to church, prayer, the Sacraments (especially Confession and Holy Communion) and putting their faith in God. It reminds us that this is a ministry to people who are hurting and afflicted; and not merely engaging in the sensational or paranormal.
I believe Matt Baglio’s book, The Rite, is one of the best books I’ve ever read on this aspect of Pastoral Ministry; and should be part of every pastor’s arsenal. It certainly touched me deeply and dispelled many of my fears and concerns; and reminded me of the power of faith and the hope we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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