Fr. Richard Rohr is a Franciscan friar and the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In an interview for a series on "Morning Edition" on National Public Radio called "This I Believe", Rohr said:
"People who have really met the Holy are always humble. It's the people who don't know who usually pretend that they do. People who've had any genuine spiritual experience always know they don't know. They are utterly humbled before mystery. They are in awe before the abyss of it all, in wonder at eternity and depth, and a Love, which is incomprehensible to the mind. It is a litmus test for authentic God experience, and is -- quite sadly -- absent from much of our religious conversation today. My belief and comfort is in the depths of Mystery, which should be the very task of religion."
And they all said, "Amen!"
I'll give you an "Amen!" I know what he means. I've felt it in those moments where I've truly encountered the Holy One. Now ... how to keep those moments "fresh"? Ah ... woe is me.
ReplyDeleteAmen! Good find, Mimi!
ReplyDeleteShoot---I really thought I had met the Holy Spirit, but humility is not one of my...virtues. I'm pretty sure about some things with respect to God. I guess that means I'm wrong. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteForgive me, Doxy, but I see a good deal of humility in most of your writing and work (if not this particular assessment: who may judge her own humility with any accuracy? :) And "pretty sure" isn't the subject, as I'm sure you knew, you prankster.
ReplyDeleteSo, Pshaw!
What a beautiful post, Mimi. I have a friend who has been recommending Richard Rohr for years. I think I should have listened to him.
ReplyDelete(((JohnieB)))
ReplyDeleteThank you, my friend.
The one thing I am absolutely sure of is that God loves us and is not a big, mean, thunderbolt-throwing Jerk in the Sky.
...humility is not one of my...virtues.
ReplyDeleteWell, now, Doxy, isn't it humble of you to say that?
Oh no, Mimi---I am quite arrogant about my lack of humility. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIn fact...look at how I have turned this thread into All. About. Doxy.
We really should get back to Richard Rohr--who our wonderful Fran has praised to the skies for some time. I see that it is time to toodle over to Amazon or somesuch place and get some copies of his works...
Yes, Doxy, Rohr is a lovely man, and he's right!
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Spiritual arrogance is one of the main hallmarks of the "only I'm a REAL Christian" religious right-winger.
ReplyDeleteMakes you wanna whack 'em up the side of the head with the Clue Stick® (which, in this context, is one of those big 'ol heavy, family Bibles - yeah, I stole that from MP ;)
I'm so glad to find this out. Richard Rohr is so good to read and listen to. He shows the way.
ReplyDeleteAs you know Mimi, I love Richard Rohr and have been so fortunate to hear him speak and to meet him.
ReplyDeleteThis is so wonderful to see here - ah humility, humility.
Fran, I know that you've heard him and spoken to him. I envy you. Yes. Humility is hard.
ReplyDeleteI suggest anyone listens to him rather than read him -- often much better. I'm going to one of his conferences in Albuquerque the end of June. Quite looking forward to it. This quote is spot on.
ReplyDelete(and note: not one word about Doxy -- oops!)
Susankay--must be that evil perfume I wear... ;-)
ReplyDeleteDoxy, you're an all-around influence for the worse. I suspect that you have an inner trollop, too.
ReplyDeleteDoxy, you're an all-around influence for the worse.
ReplyDeleteI blame this on MadPriest's influence...
I suspect that you have an inner trollop, too.
I couldn't possibly comment.