Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Today Jesus advises his disciples to “consider how you listen” (Luke 8:18), to pay attention, to notice how we notice. In order to do this we must use our God given senses. This requires mindfulness and awareness of the here and now.
Most of us tend to live in the past or the future. We must learn from the past and plan for the future, but the only day we have is today. How often do we regret yesterday, or worry about tomorrow? How does this impact our well-being?
Regret and worry makes it difficult to truly live. Jesus advises that “tomorrow has worries of its own.” Being more mindful enriches the life God gives us, reducing stress and minimizing anxiety.
Jesus not only was aware of the creation around him (using it to teach), but he would go off to a deserted place to be one with his Father. Hear him say, “Come apart with me and pray.”
Meditation is more than just a method of relief for the body, “it is a way of encountering Christ in one’s soul” (Pope Francis).
Studies have been made of the brains of deceased nuns who lived into their 90s. Although their bodies weakened, their brains remained intact and most died “sharp as a tack.” Professionals point to a healthy diet minus abuses of nicotine and alcohol — lives of moderation and reflection in a supportive community. They gathered for communal prayer and meditation several times a day. They ate sparingly and naturally.
How do we attain mindfulness in our go-go-go culture? The Mayo Clinic offers the following methods for mindfulness (with italicized insertions by me):
- Pay Experience your environment with all of your senses — touch, sound, sight, smell and taste. Remember there is more to life than increasing its speed (Gandhi).
- Live in the moment. Intentionally bring an open and accepting attention to everything you Find joy in simple pleasures. Think of Jesus observing the lilies of the field and the birds of the air.
- Accept yourself. Treat yourself the way you would treat a good friend— the way Jesus would treat you!
- Focus on your breathing. When you have negative thoughts, sit down, take a deep breath and close your Focus on your breath as it moves in and out. Slowly inhale and exhale gently whispering “YAH (inhale) WEH (exhale).” This is the divine breath given to every human being since creation, the breath of YAHWEH. God is as close as every breath we take. God is in every breath we take. God IS every breath we take.
-Timothy J. Cronin
Next Wed, Oct. 4, join us at IC for this year’s fall series “Wild & Untamed: Encountering the Jesus of Mark” (7pm-8pm). Yours truly will be the presenter and I am very excited about it. It runs every Wed until Nov. 15.*
* Except for Wed Nov. 1, All Saints Day.