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Tonight daughter MJ and I had a long discussion about Christianity. She told me that she did NOT want to be a "cookie cutter Christian." I am so happy to hear that. We had a good talk about faith and how we will never know who God is, because God is so much bigger than our minds can imagine. We talked about the Bible, the Jesus Seminar, and prayer, among other things.I'm glad MJ and I can do this. I wish I'd been comfortable enough in my faith to talk to my other children, especially about doubts, wonderings, and questions. One son says I try to "ruin" his faith when I talk about such things now, but MJ says he just doesn't want to think!
This reminds me of something Father Kelly Nemeck said long ago at Lebh Shomea--that each of us has to form our own Christology (Theology). This has become more meaningful to me as time has gone by, as I realize my concept of God continues to change or grow. It seems like the more I travel on this road, the less I know of God and the more I believe.
St. John of the Cross said:
"Preserve a loving attentiveness to God
with no desire to feel or understand
any particular thing concerning God."
with no desire to feel or understand
any particular thing concerning God."
7 comments:
I've often said, only half-jokingly, that I make up my Christianity as I go along, but in a sense, I believe that is true of all of us.
It's great that you and your daughter can talk together about your faith.
There is something here, all right! something about allowing discovery, allowing unknowing...you've been very helpful, with this post, in something I'm groping toward saying, somehow; and I do thank you!
"the less I know of God and the more I believe!" Amen. I LOVE the mystery of God and the surprises along the Way.
I'm so glad you and MJ can have these discussions
First of all, that is so great that you and MJ can talk like that.
I think that what you say here is so true and that sadly, many people walk alway altogether because people don't always want to be told what to do.
On the other hand, many people want to discover, to encounter, to fall in love with God in whatever way they perceive him/her and to find their way.
Thank you dear Jan for this beautiful post about your life and about faith.
This is wise. And I think it is a sign of maturing faith when you don't have to know everything. We cannot explain God, anyway. We do not have answers (even though I used to really crave them!).
I am glad that you and MJ can talk about faith and Godstuff. I feel blessed that I too, can discuss these things with my daughter.
I have 4 kids and it's always been tricky talking to them about spiritual things....I'm glad you and MJ can connect on that level.
This is such a wonderful post, Jan. I just warms my heart. Truly. A mature faith. MJ is getting a huge headstart because of your influence, I think. Wow.
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