The CATHEDRAL TIMES The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · July 29, 2018
COMPASSION AND FORGIVENESS By Canon Carolynne Williams Canon Associate for Pastoral Care and Elder Ministry One of the most difficult tasks of living as a Christian is believing in a mystery that is , for the most part, unseen. This is a challenge we have today, as Christians had over 2000 years ago. God revealed his immense love in the crucified and risen Christ. “They shall mount up their wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31). In this community of faith, we praise God and relish in the love of God for us. However, there is often a lingering element of doubt that hangs in the balance, somewhat like an inward thought, which isn't necessarily voiced. God is present wherever and whenever we show up. God is always. When we find ourselves making decisions as to living out our desires of the heart, there are other possibilities that one can garner and weave into daily living. I find this helpful when seeking a deeper relationship with our Creator and his Son through the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. The presence is in our heart. We can listen to its awakening. The presence of the Holy Spirit teaches us the way of wisdom, which is seeing with God’s eyes, hearing with God’s ears, loving with God’s heart. This is the wisdom that is given to those who ask it of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is present within all who seek the face of God. Those who seek to do God’s will first and those whose hearts are NOT hardened. When one’s heart becomes hardened, there is no room for anything else. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). If one’s heart has become hardened, over time, because of circumstances in life or perhaps the world around one, then it is helpful to explore the seasons of the heart of which we seem to transition. In Celtic spirituality, when it is winter in one’s soul, it teaches that it is unwise to pursue any new endeavors. One has to lie low and shelter until the bleak emptying time has passed on. This is nature’s remedy. Spring is a youthful season; it comes forth in a rush of life and promise, hope and possibility. One can make difficult transitions very naturally in an unforced and spontaneous way. Spring blossoms and grows into summertime. Summertime is a time of light, growth, and arrival. When it is summertime in your soul , it is a time of great balance. Autumn in a person’s soul and life can be a time of great gathering. It is a time for harvesting the fruits of your experiences. With the love of God for us and through us and paying attention to the condition of our hearts, there may be a need for forgiveness or to forgive. There may be a need for reflection of one’s self awareness. There may be a need and desire for extending compassion to another, even if one has to learn how to be a compassionate person. The key is to believe and know that all of you are children of God, as am I, and there is more than one way to the center of being God’s representative. With compassion, as well as forgiveness of oneself or of another, love is the key to the middle—the key to understanding who you are in Christ and toward one another. God is love through all seasons and times. God is the foundation of our very existence.