catholic with a small "c": musings on our monthly men's meeting
One of the helpful takeaways on this morning after yesterday's presentation is that we're here to embrace the extraordinary "ordinary" lives we've been given.
"KISS: Keep is simple, saints!"
Our band of brothers includes guys in recovery, some who help others as spiritual directors, a few who ride Harley's...AND, we begin with a full cafeteria breakfast..."Man does not live on bread alone..." but it helps...
catholic with a small "c"
The American Dictionary of the English Language offers these definitions of this word of Greek origin:
Including or concerning all humankind; universal.
Of broad or liberal scope; comprehensive.
"KISS: Keep is simple, saints!"
Our 88-year young speaker's own life includes surviving two cancers. WHEW!
In his intro, he mentioned that one of his hobbies is collecting driftwood, that, with his wife Mary's "encouragement," he turns into Christmas creches. This provided a great segue to the song he selected. Here's one he gave me as a gift. It adorns our living room all year.
As he began by playing Pentatonix's classic "Mary Did You Know," these lines spoke to me:
"Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?"
"This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you."
"When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God."
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"Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?"
"This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you."
Personally, this continues to apply to how our son John helps me, especially when I'm "stuck". In their "Teach Your Children," CSN&Y describe the interactive roles of parents and children. We teach them and then they teach us...Hopefully, this back and forth continues...Not coincidentally, a little while after I got home, John helped me undo a poor decision I had made about a software subscription. Might say, he $aved me.
"And you of tender years
Can't know the fears
That your elders grew by
And so please help
Them with your youth
They seek the truth
Before they can die"
"When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God."
At this point in the journey, the word "God" is no longer limited to a few "special" people identified by religious organizations. Rather, as folks like AA's Bill W say:
Oh...and my present experience of "God" is that "he" is also "she" and other...and...none of these limiting terms...
Talking Sticks
In our men's circle, we follow Native American custom of using various talking sticks. These various objects are placed in the center of the circle. If someone wants to speak, they pick up one and are the only person who can speak at that time. The rest of us listen.
Favorite Saints
Early on, we were asked to think about a favorite saint. I picked up a rock (talking stick) and began. My two "Thomas" and "Peter" (means "rock") have reputations: the first as a "doubter" and the second as a "denier." In my experience, wrestling with key questions has helped me grow...grow more comfortable with the fact that there's much that I don't know.
Another is Francis. When someone asks me my spiritual tradition, sometimes I'll say,
"I'm a Franciscan."
I like nature and my spiritual eyes have been opened by a favorite Franciscan - Fr. Richard Rohr. FYI - Our men's group emerged from Fr. Richard's early work with men.
Perfect Imperfection
[from the uploader] Perfect Imperfection — You're counting up the things you cannot do. "I'm not enough," your heart keeps whispering. But listen close: the cracks let in the light. The broken parts are what make you shine. You're a perfect imperfection — and that's fine. No need to rush. The wind says take it slow. A bud that hasn't bloomed is not a waste. The flower knows — it opens at its pace. You breathe today — and that's the living proof.
The detours write your song. The wrong turns prove you're moving. The Buddha smiled and said: you're perfect, flaws and all. Perfect imperfection.
Recessional Him...Her...Them...Other...
I've enjoyed this musician and his fellow performer Deval Premal in live shows...
[Verse 1: Miten]
Ever been lonely?
Ever felt out of place?
Ever cried yourself to sleep at night
Praying for descending grace?
Ever danced alone in the moonlight?
Dancing like there's nobody there
The whole world lookin' on, but
What do you care?
[Chorus: Miten & Deva Premal]
Humaniversal
We're all reaching for
The stars in the sky
Humaniversal
You and I
You and I
[Verse 2: Miten]
Ever been to India?
Seen the world from ground zero?
Thirteen-year-old mother with a baby in her arms
Knockin' on your taxi window
Lights change
And leave her standin' in the road
Still her eyes come back to haunt you
Wherever you go
[Chorus: Miten & Deva Premal]
Humaniversal
We can all hear
Her baby cry
Humaniversal
You and I
[Bridge: Miten & Deva Premal]
And after all
It's only life
We come and go
In the wink of an eye
We say hello
We say goodbye
That's all
(Ah)
That's all
(Ah)
(La la la la)
(La la)
[Verse 3: Miten]
And what about the Dalai Lama?
What about that smile?
A simple monk from the roof of the world
Living in exile
And he can't go back
And he can't go home
What does that say to you and me?
Speaking of love and compassion
Even towards his enemy
[Chorus: Miten & Deva Premal]
Humaniversal
(Ooh)
Say a prayer for his people
When you're driving home tonight
Humaniversal
(Ooh)
Say a prayer for him
When you turn out the light
(Ah)
Tonight
(Oh, ah)
[Outro: Miten]
Humaniversal
You and I
You and I
You and I
Recessional Hymn -2 Simple Man
Here's a classic song captures how our speaker's message affected me. It reminds us of earlier comments about parents teaching children.
“Simple Man” is a ballad about a mother imparting some valuable wisdom to her young son, namely to be a simple man who lives honestly and with love and care. Source
This first image from the video shows a guy, who like some of our group, like to ride:
#music #humor #Ray #MenToMen #catholic #simple #saints #Mary #CrosbyStillsNashYoung #children #John #BillW #AA #recovery #AmyGrant #TalkingStick #Thomas #Peter #Francis #FrRichardRohr #Franciscan #ProcessionOfTheGhouls #CathedralOfSaintJohnTheDivine #PerfectImperfection #LeonardCohen #light #cracks #Miten #DevaPremal #Buddhist #Reggae #LynyrdSkynyrd #Indian #motorcycles
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