“Ten Commandments for the Long Haul”

From Our Spiritual Advisor:

Dear Disciples of Christ, 

The stated purpose of the Cursillo Movement is to help us live “a conscious and growing life of grace” and then to become agents of the Good News in our everyday environments.  There are many spiritual authors who can help us get started on this journey; many reading this letter have been on this path for years!  So it’s normal that we question, like the rich man who approached Jesus, “What is there more to do?”  Jesus advised the man to “Go, sell what you have and give it to the poor, then come follow me.”  So how does that fit us today?  What are we to let go of and what are we to embrace as we continue to desire this conscious and growing life of grace, even after years of working at it? 

This summer I read Fr. Ronald Rohlheiser’ s book, Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity.  He gives these recommendations for becoming mature Christian disciples.  He calls them “Ten Commandments for the Long Haul” because they are the task that takes most of our lifetime to accomplish – beyond the beginner stage.  I found them worth sharing with you. 

1.  Live in gratitude and thank your Creator by enjoying your life.  God didn’t intend life on earth to be merely tolerated as we wait for eternal life.  Look around and find something to be grateful for each day. God’s abundant love is ever-flowing.  Take time to notice and rejoice.  

2. Be willing to carry more and more of life’s complexities with empathy.  Indeed, life is complex, with very few “cut and dried” realities.  When I am tempted to make hasty judgments about another person or situation, can I remind myself that there is always more to the “story” than what initially presents itself?  Can I grow more patient and empathetic toward the human condition, so fragile and yet so earnest. 

3. Transform jealousy, anger, bitterness and hatred rather than give them back in kind.  When these feelings get triggered in me, I can either be an electric wire or a filter.  I can transmit a painful “current” just as it has come to me, or I can take a few minutes, process what is happening in me, filter out the strong emotion, and respond in a way that I will not later regret.  This transforms those feelings and leads more readily to resolution or reconciliation. 

4. Let suffering soften your heart rather than harden your soul.  Suffering can make us more compassionate, more in solidarity with others who suffer, and can lead us to greater self-knowledge, humility and the kind of poverty that draws us closer to God. 

5. Forgive – those who hurt you, your own sins, the unfairness of your life, and God for not rescuing you.  This is a big one!  Where am I most called to forgiveness? 

6. Bless more and curse less!  “Blessing” comes from the Latin word, “benedicere” which literally means to speak well of someone or to someone. Cursing isn’t what we say when several hours of work is lost in a computer crash or we hit our thumb with a hammer;  cursing is speaking of or to someone in a mean, dismissive, judgmental way. “I hate you!”  “Shut up!” “He/she” isn’t worth a dime!”, etc.    What do I do more of: bless or curse? 

7. Live in a more radical sobriety   Sobriety isn’t just about staying away from alcohol or drugs.  It includes that but more:  the total honesty with oneself and others that AA groups practice.  That involves humility and vulnerability. 

8. Pray, affectively and liturgically.  We need to do both. Affective prayer includes devotional and contemplative prayer – for my benefit.  It is also our responsibility to gather with others to pray for others:  the needs of the Church and the whole world.  Without both we wither and die. 

9. Be wide in your embrace.  Open your heart to all in creation: nature and people.  Strive to be inclusive because God is present in each person and each creature.  Don’t miss encountering God because of prejudice or apathy or disdain. 

10. Stand where you are supposed to be standing, and let God provide the rest.  If your life or work seems ordinary or insignificant, think again.  If you desire to reach out to someone with the Good News, but don’t know how to begin, be your natural self and let God speak through you.  If you are trying to be the best person you can be but realize your efforts aren’t always successful, do not give in to discouragement.  God is very good at filling in the gaps! 

May Ronald Rohlheiser’s “Ten Commandments” be a source of pondering, as they are for me! 

Ultreya!  Onward, Faithful Disciples!!       

 Love, Sr. Edna