I’ll never forget the moment I realized that the sinners on their way to Hell on the Portal of the Last Judgment at Notre Dame in Paris are not in chains; rather, they are holding on to the chains. God isn’t forcing them into damnation, they’re choosing it.
I do the same thing. All I need to do is let go of the chains with which I’ve enmeshed myself…
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Marika 11.18.09 at 7:12 am
Beautiful reflection, Paul!
Michelle 11.18.09 at 8:32 am
All we have to do is open our hands. Let go of what we are gripping. Let our hands be filled with God’s grace. So why is it so hard? I struggled last fall with this…and found Karl Rahner’s reflection helpful (summed up here). But I’m still hanging on to some of those chains….
Paul 11.18.09 at 8:39 am
Marika,
You just made my day. Thank you.
Paul
Paul 11.18.09 at 8:40 am
Michelle,
Thanks for pointing to the Karl Rahner reflection. I’m going to read it right now.
Paul
Michelle 11.18.09 at 10:48 am
Paul,
The full text of the 1954 essay by Rahner I quoted in that reflection isn’t online anywhere I’m aware of, but you can find it in Theological Investigations 3, 86-90. It’s also been reprinted in “Karl Rahner: Spiritual Writings” (from Orbis Press – not Loyola!). I pulled it out of my files to re-read at lunch, my thanks again for this beautiful photo and reflection that led me to an Ignatian repetition!
Michelle
Eric 11.18.09 at 12:30 pm
I am reading a book called “Beyond Words: 15 Ways of Doing Prayer”. I do not know if the author will include looking at art, but, Paul, yours is certainly a case of your looking at art becoming a prayer.
Letting go of the chain: I expect myself at this stage of my life to be highly motivated to let go, but then I discover things I hold on to. I guess we must continue to reach for God until our last breath.
Ron 11.18.09 at 1:07 pm
Michelle, And Paul,
Thank you for the spiritual food, both in this Blog and in the link I Followed to Karl Rahner. It all helps,
Ron
Eric 11.18.09 at 1:24 pm
Thank you, Michelle, for the “Open Your Hands” reflection. I especially liked being reminded to find God in chocolate chip cookie dough lovingly given. Next time my daughter makes chocolate chip cookies I will eat them much more prayerfully. Also, I liked the part at the top that dates the reflection 23 Oct 1008. I am certain that people 1000 years ago needed to find God in ordinary things, even if it wasn’t chocolate chip cookie dough. It makes me feel very connected to them.
Michelle 11.18.09 at 1:25 pm
Eric,
“Beyond Words” looks like a good read. I just finished “Altar in the World” by Barbara Brown Taylor, which has many ways to pray in the everyday as well.
Thanks!
Michelle
Michelle 11.18.09 at 9:19 pm
Eric,
Whoops! The Catholic Standard and Times is a venerable old paper – but it certainly wasn’t printing in 1008. I think I’ll leave it as is, though. You’re right, no matter when, or where, we all need to find God in the ordinary. And do enjoy seeking out God in teens and chocolate chip cookies – two of my favorite places to see Him.
peace,
Michelle