Comments on: Monday, January 7, 2018 – Testing Spirits, Choosing Paths

By: A

Tue, 08 Jan 2019 23:19:05 +0000

Thank you, Mary, for your response.

By: Nwachukwu Ben

Nwachukwu Ben — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 23:11:48 +0000

God bless you for every words form your reflection. Happy new to your entire family and everyone here

By: Mary Ortwein

Mary Ortwein — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 16:56:04 +0000

A response to A:
You hit on exactly what the author of 1 John was talking about and what sadly seems to be true within the Church today: people present what the Church teaches in ways that do not communicate respect and love for those who disagree. If we are to bring Christ’s life and love to bear on the problems of our world, as multiple Vatican II documents tell us laity to do, we enter into turbulent waters where applications of Church teaching are sometimes (maybe even often) not so very clear. Faced with this situation it is easy to find security in polarities. But what I got from this Scripture and the deeper study of 1 John I’m beginning is what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: the “Thou shalt nots” stand AND so do be-attitudes of meekness, poverty of spirit, mourning, hungering and thirsting for what is right, mercy, purity of heart, and peace-making. Those “attitudes of being” foster love, respect, honesty–and all the fruits of the Spirit. We need to hold ourselves accountable to the objective standards Scripture gives us for BOTH-AND.
Mary Ortwein

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 16:19:18 +0000

Mary, the road less travelled reminded me of a path I took, literally, in a park many years ago when I was much younger. I have always been an avid walker and curious. This particular park had several forks in the road and I normally stuck to the one well traveled. One day, I was feeling quite adventurous and decided to try a path I had never been down before. I walked for quite a while before I realized I was a very long way from where I started. I couldn’t go back for fear I would get lost. I ended up in a different part of the park and was relieved to see people. I stopped a man who looked liked Santa with white beard and twinkly eyes. He was amused at my adventuresome, and directed me to the nearest exit. I had literally walked from the north side to the south side of the park, very very far from home. Fortunately, I had bus fare in my pocket to get me downtown, then another bus home. It was not till several years later when I visited one of my cousins that I noticed I had been just a few blocks away from her house! Taking the road less travelled was scary, but I kept going and came out the other side with a sense of someone was walking with me who kept me on the path home. What an adventure. I’m still adventurous, but I travel with a group now. In terms of the ‘spiritual’ road less travelled, I’ve done that too, especially in my work helping others, and sometimes gotten into trouble with the powers that be! Now I’m well into retirement, and the only roads less travel are the places I visit around the world. I’m off to Ecuador next month (with a group). Happy New Year!

By: A

Mon, 07 Jan 2019 16:16:42 +0000

What happens when what the Church teaches does not support treating others with love, with honesty, compassion, and respect?

Happy New Year, Mary, to you and your family, as I ask the question above.

By: Faith May

Faith May — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 15:06:32 +0000

Wow! Thank you! 🙂

That was a beautiful reflection, Mary!

Praise God! ☝?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 14:08:28 +0000

You are indeed inspired by the Holy Spirit, Mary! Thank you for that wonderful reflection!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 13:08:07 +0000

Wishing you a healthy, blessed New Year!
Dear Mary, Your reflections have been wonderful pillards
to lean on as I travel the journey God choose for me. Thank you
for your time, research,and energy you share with us.