Gerald Archibald, Edmonton, AB

If you recall the last ‘The way I See It’ column was entitled ‘Do We Really Believe God Loves Us?’ I received feedback from several of our readers – most of it very positive. The story of the man who was abused by both his father and his pastor and how he was healed through a personal encounter with Christ resonated with many. It was indeed a very powerful story.

However, even though such stories can be transformative to some people, most of us are so conditioned by the negative impacts of how Church doctrine was taught, it will take considerable meditation and prayer to move to the positive side of our faith to really and truly believe God loves each one of us unconditionally. We are loved to our core, 24/7. God created us for one reason- to love us. Yes, simply that!

Most of us were brought up to believe that God was some kind of accountant keeping track of all the good things and all the bad things we have done during our time here on earth – a balance sheet sort of approach. Many newer theologians have studied the scriptures closely and have taken great issue with these older teachings. They have concluded that they were wrong – period.

What a joyful and welcome change for most of us – no accountant, no vengeance, no retribution. Instead, we are constantly reminded we are loved, and knowing we are loved, we can look at others in a new light – they are also loved unconditionally and are children of God. This realization can become a conviction to the point where we want to help people. We can understand better the social teachings of the Church to strive to help those in need. Love begets love.

I was recently reading a meditation that said absolutely no love will be created by punishment or threats of punishment. Love should be the fundamental foundation of our entire life. I know I struggled with this for many years despite my years in the seminary. However by reading recognized authors, meditating most days, and through prayer, I’ve come to the conclusion that my faith, if it is to be positive and nurturing, consists of five values or principles. So what are these?

• Forgiveness
• Acceptance
• Respect
• Non-judgemental
• Love

These are my truths. Because this is a work in progress, I am genuinely experiencing a new outlook. I feel much more liberty, freedom and more peace. When encountering a difficult situation, I fall back on these five principles. The answer to difficult situations emerges because of reflections on these values. Life is much more simple for me as a result. I now have my mission statement!! I believe they are totally reflective of the basic teachings of Jesus.

In late August, my wife and I had the privilege of attending a beautiful wedding in Toronto. The service was so beautiful and meaningful. But in addition to the way the liturgy was conducted as well as the homily and the music – a wonderful unscripted addition occurred at the end of Mass. A relative of the bride was asked to come up to the lectern. He asked everyone to go to the back page of the wedding program. Contained on this page was the prayer of St Francis. This was a favourite prayer of the bride and groom as well as the father of the bride. Before the mother of the bride tragically passed away, this was perhaps her favourite prayer. So to say this prayer had very strong meaningful connections to the whole of the bride’s family would be the understatement of the year. Anyway, when the relative at the lectern referred everyone to the prayer, everyone expected him to simply read it. Instead he went off script and asked everyone to join him in reading this prayer together. It was indeed a powerful moment.

I believe my five values align very much with those transcendental values expressed in the prayer of St Francis.

As I mentioned before, we need to simplify our faith so that it consciously is on our mind in a positive way. I believe St Francis has done this in such beautiful and inspirational words. If we live according to this beautiful prayer, we will be living totally with the gospel values expressed by Jesus, especially his sermon on the mount.

I would like to end this column with the prayer of St Francis. May we all meditate on his lifegiving words and live them in our lives:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon,
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so
much to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen!

And above all, as the theologian Richard Rohr says ‘where there is presence, there is Presence’. Being aware of the loving Divine Presence around us at all times, may help us live out the gospel’s exhortation to Love.

As always I appreciate your feedback: Archibaldjerry@gmail.com