I had some trouble "getting into" this chapter, but I think it was me- not the chapter.
"We begin our seeking by making acts of faith in the presence of Christ in our own souls" (Reed of God
, pg. 149). 
Houselander see two main ways to practice this contemplation: recognising Christ's presence in US and recognising His presence in OTHERS. I love how she describes Mary making an act of faith in believing that Christ was literally, physically in her.
...she must have felt anew her amazement at the angel's salutation and asked her own soul: 'How can this thing be?' Could it be possible that the tiny little tunic that she was weaving was for God? (Reed of God, pg. 149).
"My God, I believe that you are within me." This act of faith brings peace: it silences the noise of distraction, the loud business of fear. It is the stilling of the waters (Reed of God, pg. 149)
Because He is in the little house of our being, we will learn to control our minds, to gather our thoughts to silence, and to crown them with peace, just as we learn to control our voices and to move softly when a child is asleep in the house of bricks and mortar (Reed of God, pg. 150).She goes to note "the next act of faith is in Christ in other people" (Reed of God, pg. 151). She touches on one of the theme of the last chapter here: that it is easy to love an imaginary person, but hard to love our friends and family.
In reading Houselander's words on recognising Christin ourselves and others, I suddenly *got* something that I've heard a million times. "Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others." Col 3:23 When I am cooking a meal or cleaning a bathroom, I should do it with for Christ- because Christ is in my husband and me! I always thought it was a nice idea- a noble thought- to do something for Jesus, but suddenly I *get* that I really am doing it for Him! My husband will eat that meal, therefore, Christ in him will be nourished. When I vacuum and mop the floors, I'm cleaning the home where Christ dwells in me!Just as we cannot depend upon feelings to know that Christ is in ourselves, we cannot depend upon appearances to know that He is in others (Reed of God, pg. 152).
Forgive the number of quotes I put in these posts. I try to make them my own words, but Houselander just says things so well! I can't do them justice on my own!
10 comments:
I haven't abandoned you! I just keep forgetting to post! I PROMISE I will go back and catch up. I'm right on track with the reading.
Please dont' hate me. But I couldn't get through the first chapter....I don't know if I commented this already....It was too wordy for me, poetic and hard for me to follow. :) It wasn't "simple" enough for me. Though it was beautiful I just couldn't get through it.
But I love reading the chapter recaps! ;) You do a great job of breaking it down for me and displaying the beauty houselander writes.... ;) Sew is just to simple minded for this! hahahahaha
FYI- another prescheduled post!!! I'm not slacking on pictures and writing posts!!! My sleepy brain doesn't think this clearly right now!!! :)
Sew, you crack me up!!! :) I know what you mean. I have to get into a certain frame of mind and concentration level before I can begin. (and must have a pen in hand!!)
Someone's stirring!! :) One of my top priorities today is getting pictures out. And go to Mass and show her off. :) The old ladies there are going to flip. I can't wait!!
Ok, I'm glad to learn this was a "prescheduled" post, b/c otherwise I would have to question your frame of mind right now & the "clarity" with which you have posted having just brought home your daughter!!!!! (laugh, laugh)
Hope baby Abigail takes a few good naps today (you too!) and that the ladies in church were amazed at the miracle you brought to Mass today!
This was exactly what I needed to read today! Lately I've been wondering what "more" I need to be doing; it feels like raising my toddler, being a wife and nurse wasn't "enough". While I was praying today, it was a little thought that maybe doing these roles well *is* enough. This post was like a confirmation! (and, congrats on your daughter!)
I'm on Ch 8 - I'm trying to catch up - be back soon, I hope!
oh, and you know I couldn't stand to go out of order! I just CAN'T do it!
Hey! I'm just wondering... are we going to do the last 2 chapters? No pressure!
Ha! On September 16 I said I was "right on track". That obviously didn't last. But I finished this chapter tonight!
Of all the chapters so far-this one has the most potential to profoundly affect my life if I heed her advice. Her descriptions of "acts of faith" in ourselves and in others made so much sense! It made me realize how many hours pass in a given day without my acknowledging His presence. This MUST change!
I loved how she noted that we make acts of faith when we genuflect to the tabernacle and how that increases our faith in Christ's presence in the Eucharist. It makes perfect sense to me that to "genuflect" (acknowledge) the Christ in others would gradually increase our faith that Christ is in others.
I am definitely going to try to put this into action!
Well, I have finally finished this chapter and am dead set on finishing this study!! I gave up secular books for lent and this will be my first christian book completed. It did take me a while to get into this chapter, but I was also really impacted by the realization that Christ is in everyone else. I have a hard time remembering that one! Thanks for posting!!!
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