Fr Philip Carter offers a ministry of spirituality, with a series of meditations on some questions that we may ponder as we consider our life in God.
You will find here his reflections and questions for meditation, images, music and poetry to enrich your life’s journey.
This is the last of the meditations in the series Learning Jesus. We hope you have enjoyed the series. Fr Philip Carter is taking a break from writing so we will not be publishing further meditations for the time being. Previous posts on this blog will remain as a resource for all who would like to revisit previous meditations.
We…notice another Presence … silent, good, peaceful.
Harry Williams said that “I cannot properly say ‘I believe’ unless it’s another way of saying ‘I am’”. Following or experiencing Jesus, learning Jesus, is a deeply and personally involving enterprise. “There are questions we are the solution to” (R.S. Thomas).
Do not be afraid.
Matthew 10:31
Image: Soichi Watanabe, The Glory of God in the Wilderness
We are to live as Jesus lived: in the memory of God’s love which brings freedom, in the hope of resurrection which brings life, and in the peace of living in the present moment which dispels fear.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
John 15:5
Image: Soichi Watanabe, Bamboo
Jesus, as the imagination of God, offers us a compelling image of the communion which is our true home and destiny, our gift and task. This is the “hidden wholeness” which is our birthright. This is not something we have to earn, fight for or achieve: it is given. “All we need is to take time to experience what we’ve already been given.” (Thomas Merton)
For freedom Christ has set us free.
Galatians 5:1
Image: Soichi Watanabe, To God be the Glory
Jesus was uniquely free. He created a space within himself in order to be available for every encounter. This is the source of his authority and attractiveness. Learning Jesus means being brave enough to resist, in our loneliness for example, calling someone up, going shopping, taking a drug, turning on the TV, or going to bed. Instead of fleeing the experience – choosing an illusory freedom – we choose to go down into it, and there, gradually, notice another Presence there, silent, good, peaceful. Here genuine freedom awaits us.
The images in this post are of works by the Japanese artist Soichi Watanabe.
In retrospect I realize that [my works] are my own humble responses to God’s calling in my life. … The images are often given to me through the words of God, at worship services on Sundays, and during my daily devotions. I have the earnest hope that I will go on painting to praise the Lord.
Source: Soichi Watanabe
Come, Holy Spirit, Come
With energy divine,
And on this poor, benighted soul
With beams of mercy shine
From the celestial hills
Light, life and joy descend
And my I daily, hourly feel
Thy quickening influence
Melt, melt this frozen heart;
This stubborn will subdue;
Each evil passion overcome,
And form me all anew
Mine will the profit be,
But Thine shall be the praise;
And unto Thee I will devote
the remnant of my days
For a printable PDF of the text of this meditation please click on the link below.
1 Comment
Thank you, Philip, for your deep thinking, for the beautiful images and the music. Rest well.