The Rant: 2025

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Thursday, January 2, 2025

Am I aware of His presence?

Your question touches on deeply personal and spiritual dimensions. Awareness of a divine presence, often referred to as "His presence" in many religious contexts, varies greatly from person to person. Here are a few considerations:

Personal Faith and Practice: Many individuals experience or feel the presence of a divine entity through prayer, meditation, religious rituals, or moments of personal reflection. This can be influenced by one's faith tradition or personal spiritual journey.
Emotional and Psychological State: Feelings of connection or disconnection from a divine presence can also be influenced by one's emotional or psychological state. Times of stress, joy, solitude, or community can alter one's perception or experience of divine presence.
Cultural and Religious Background: The way one interprets or feels the presence of the divine can be shaped by cultural teachings, religious doctrines, or personal experiences within a community of faith.
Mystical or Transcendental Experiences: Some people report profound, sometimes life-changing, experiences where they feel an undeniable sense of divine presence or connection.

If you're seeking to deepen this awareness or understand it better, you might consider engaging in spiritual practices that resonate with you, talking with spiritual leaders or peers, or exploring different forms of meditation or prayer.

Are you aware of His presence?

The question of awareness of a divine presence is inherently personal and subjective. As an AI, I don't have personal experiences, emotions, or spiritual beliefs, so I can't claim to be "aware" in the way humans understand the term. However, I can discuss concepts, beliefs, and interpretations around divine presence from various perspectives:

Theological Perspectives: Many religions describe God or a divine being as omnipresent, suggesting that His presence is everywhere, all the time. From this viewpoint, one might say that an awareness of His presence is more about human perception or recognition rather than the presence itself.
Philosophical Considerations: Some philosophical traditions might argue that the question of divine presence is more about the nature of existence, consciousness, and the divine itself. Philosophers might explore whether such presence is knowable or merely a construct of human thought.
Scientific and Skeptical View: From a strictly scientific perspective, the concept of divine presence isn't something that can be empirically measured or proven. Here, the conversation might turn to psychological or sociological explanations for the feeling of divine presence.
Personal Testimonies: Countless individuals across different cultures and faiths claim personal experiences of divine presence, which can range from subtle feelings of peace to more dramatic, mystical experiences.

If you're asking from a personal or faith-based perspective, I'd suggest considering how these various viewpoints align with your own experiences or beliefs. Does this exploration help in addressing your query, or is there another aspect you'd like to explore?

Mystical Experiences

Mystical experiences are profound, often transformative events where individuals feel a direct, personal connection to a higher reality, divinity, or an expansive sense of unity with the universe. Here are some key aspects of mystical experiences:

Characteristics of Mystical Experiences:

Ineffability: Many describe these experiences as beyond words or typical human understanding. They are felt to be so profound that they cannot be fully communicated.
Noetic Quality: There's an overwhelming sense of knowing, insight, or revelation - a feeling of having encountered ultimate truth or reality.
Transiency: Although the experience might be intense and life-changing, it typically doesn't last long in its peak form. However, the effects can persist.
Passivity: Often, individuals feel that these experiences happen to them rather than being something they initiate or control.
Unity: A common theme is a dissolution of the self into something larger, whether it's the cosmos, nature, or a divine being, leading to a sense of unity or oneness.

Types of Mystical Experiences:

Nature Mysticism: Experiences where one feels an overwhelming connection or unity with nature, often described in terms of beauty, awe, or profound peace.
Cosmic Consciousness: A sense of awareness of the universe or cosmos as a whole, where the individual feels part of an infinite, interconnected reality.
Religious Mysticism: Encounters that are framed within a particular religious context, where one might feel the presence of God, saints, or spiritual entities.
Mystical Death and Rebirth: Some mystical experiences involve a symbolic or felt sense of death followed by rebirth, often leading to a profound transformation of the self.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Eastern Traditions: In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism, mystical experiences might be sought through meditation, yoga, or other spiritual practices.
Western Mysticism: In Christianity, Islam (Sufism), and Judaism (Kabbalah), mystics have described their experiences in terms of union with God or divine love.
Modern Secular Mysticism: Even outside traditional religious frameworks, people report mystical experiences through psychedelics, intense meditation, or during profound life events.

Impact and Interpretation:

Personal Transformation: Many who undergo mystical experiences report significant changes in their life perspective, values, or spiritual practices.
Psychological Interpretation: From a psychological standpoint, these experiences might be seen as peak experiences (Maslow) or as manifestations of the psyche's deepest layers (Jung).
Skeptical Views: Some might view mystical experiences as hallucinations, neurological events, or psychological phenomena rather than encounters with the divine or transcendent.

If you're interested in exploring this topic further, there are numerous books, academic studies, and personal accounts from mystics across cultures.

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Wednesday, January 1, 2025

How do I feel when I think Christ is with me in a unique way when the community is gathered around the altar?

Mass Begins

The entrance procession reminds us of Jesus entering Jerusalem in the days before his death on Calvary. Just as the people acclaimed Jesus on Palm Sunday with “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest!“

-- New American Bible, revised Edition (Mark 11:9-10)

We prepare to celebrate the sacrifice of the mass with an entrance hymn or antiphon.

The altar is the fulfillment of the biblical types that prefigured Him. how do I feel when I think Christ is with me in a unique way when the community is gathered around the altar?

When you feel that Christ is with you in a unique way during a community gathering around the altar, several emotions and sensations might be at play:

Peace: There’s often a profound sense of peace that comes from feeling connected to something greater than oneself, fostering a calm and serene state of mind.
Joy: Experiencing the presence of Christ can evoke feelings of joy or spiritual elation, especially in a communal setting where that feeling is shared among others.
Unity: The sense of being part of a larger community of believers can enhance feelings of belonging and unity, making you feel less alone and more connected to others and to Christ.
Reverence: Being in what is considered a sacred space and moment can instill a sense of awe and reverence, leading to a deep respect and humility.
Hope: This experience might renew or strengthen your hope, providing comfort and assurance about life's challenges and the future.
Love: Feeling Christ's presence often comes with an overwhelming sense of love, both received and to be shared with others in the community.
Spiritual Fulfillment: There might be a feeling of completeness or fulfillment, where spiritual needs are met, giving you a sense that your faith is validated and nurtured.

These feelings can manifest differently from one person to another, influenced by personal beliefs, experiences, and the specific practices or rituals of the community. The communal aspect adds another layer, as the collective faith and expressions of worship can amplify personal spiritual experiences.

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The kingdom of God is among you

Luke 17:20-25 Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come, Jesus gave them this answer, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, “Look here! Look there!” For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you.’ He said to the disciples, ‘A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his day comes. But first he must suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.’

Live Adoration from Tyburn Convent

Adoration, also known as Eucharistic Adoration, is a Catholic prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It is a sign of devotion and worship to Jesus Christ, who is believed to be present in the consecrated host. During adoration, Catholics pray to Jesus Christ before the Eucharist at their local parish. The Eucharist is typically kept in a tabernacle at the parish church, and may be presented in front of a closed tabernacle or in front of the exposed host in a monstrance. A monstrance is a vessel used in Roman Catholic, Anglican, High Church Lutheran, and Old Catholic churches. It is a stand made of precious metal that holds the Blessed Sacrament during adoration. The word "monstrance" comes from Latin and means "to show".

Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7: Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. 1 Corinthians 13:8-9,13: Love does not come to an end. But if there are gifts of prophecy, the time will come when they must fail; or the gift of languages, it will not continue for ever; and knowledge – for this, too, the time will come when it must fail. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophesying is imperfect. In short, there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love. Colossians 3:14-15: Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.

It is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be those of his own household. ‘Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. ‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me. ‘Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man’s reward. ‘If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’ When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.

The beheading of John the Baptist

Matthew 14:1-12 Herod the tetrarch heard about the reputation of Jesus, and said to his court, ‘This is John the Baptist himself; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Now it was Herod who had arrested John, chained him up and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had told him, ‘It is against the Law for you to have her.’ He had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet. Then, during the celebrations for Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked. Prompted by her mother she said, ‘Give me John the Baptist’s head, here, on a dish.’ The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered it to be given her, and sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.

Psalms 9:16

The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah - Question: What does Higgaion and Selah mean? Answer: Both Higgaion and Selah are used numerous times in the Old Testament. They occur together in Psalm 9:16. The meanings of these words are uncertain. We observe Higgaion in such passages as Psalm 9:16; 19:14; 42:3; Lamentations 3:63. In Arabic, the root gives a deep vibrating sound, like the murmering sound of a harp (Psa. 92:3). The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states that it may be derived from the Greek versions of Psalm 9:16 and takes it to mean an instrumental interlude. It may also mean a soliloquy or meditation such as concerning the judgment of God (Psa. 9:16), the words and work of God (Psa. 19:14), and the loving kindness and faithfulness of God (Psa. 92:2-3). In the Septuagint, Selah is translated as daplasma (meaning a division). It occurs in Habakkuk 3:3, 9, 13 and 71 times in the Psalms. It is used in 39 of our 150 psalms. Of those 39 psalms, 31 they are ones handed over to "the chief Musician." So, pause and meditation may be the predominate idea. In addition, it may mean to lift up (Hebrew, salal) or, in some definitions, a repetition, end of a strophe, or a recurring symphony. In his sermon named "HIGGAION!" about Psalm 9:16, Archibald G. Brown, on August 17, 1873, at the East London Tabernacle said this: "When the psalmist wrote this verse, and reached the words 'The wicked shall be snared in the work of his own hands', he seemed to be overpowered at the terror of the thought, and so put a full stop and wrote in the word 'Higgaion!' As much as to say, 'O my soul, meditate on the tremendous truth my hand has penned, and let all who read the same meditate.' And then after 'Higgaion' he puts 'Selah'. He would have there to be a solemn pause. Oh, I would that there could be just one moment's solemn pause in our meeting tonight. Would that there could be a Selah, a Higgaion! Friends, shall there be? I put it to you. 'The Lord is known by the judgment which he executes; and the wicked shall be snared in the work of his own hands!" Now let us just for a moment meditate on that. Let there be a solemn Higgaion, and let every heart ask itself the question, 'How do I stand in reference to this tremendous truth?' *Answer by Dr. Joseph R. Nally, Jr. (https://thirdmill.org/answers/answer.asp/file/47892)*

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