Name of Grace, Inheritance Scripture, Unilateral Forgiveness…. 1/29/22
In the School of Spiritual Direction we were encouraged to discover our Name of Grace in prayer. This is the intimate name the Lord has given to each of us, which is a reflection of our identity in Him, and our personal vocation, or mission. I received my Name, Peaceful River, during a Mass at the Cenacle. It just popped into my head, and it resonates with me, and is tied to a vision I had received in prayer previously.
For ten years we lived in house on the river, and in my vision I saw myself floating down the river in an inner tube, just relaxing and enjoying the warm water and the glory of Creation that surrounded me. Then I was prompted to dive down to the river bed, where I found small gold crosses. They were heavy, but I gathered them and brought them to the surface, where they were very beautiful in the sunlight.
The cross I was carrying at that time was the breakup of our marriage. In a continuation of the river vision, when at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help I saw my gold wedding ring transformed into a small gold cross. I had recently placed my wedding ring at an outdoor altar to Our Lady of Lourdes, as a sign of deeper surrender and total consecration to Jesus, uniting my pain and struggle with His own suffering and death. This new vision of my ring being transformed into a cross was bringing healing to my heart. It was also helping me to move forward to a deeper forgiveness and blessing for my spouse, and for myself.
During the recent healing session of the School, Janet mentioned the phrase “inheritance Scripture.” I took this to mean a Scripture verse that is tied to our mission. John 7:38 had come to my mind as she talked about this: “whoever believes in me, as scripture says, ‘rivers of living water will flow from within him.’” This same verse was referenced later in her presentation, as she reminded us that we are all called to be vessels of living water, bringing God’s healing and grace to others.
Reflecting on this today, with the thought of mission in mind, I remembered when at a retreat this past year the Lord was helping me to identity my mission as associated with the gift of unilateral forgiveness. As a spiritual director, it is my desire to help my directees enter into the dynamics of unilateral forgiveness, and move toward embracing the reality that indeed “all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28). Giving thanks in all circumstances, the good and the bad, has been a focus for me for many years after reading PRISON TO PRAISE by Merlin Carothers.
Tying all these threads together, I’m seeing my mission as being this vessel of living water, in the manner of the peaceful river, gently helping others to enter their own healing by bringing their crosses up from the depths of their inner being into the Sonlight where they can be transformed into blessings, united with the Cross of Christ. My hope is that they will be able to be thankful for these crosses as they receive God’s healing and peace, and to see them as gifts to extend God’s grace in the world.
Pope Francis in a talk given on Dec 26, 2020 spoke of the power that was released when St Stephen offered forgiveness for those who were stoning him. In our world, Pope Frances says, it is normal to question “what good does it do” to pray and forgive others. Then he notes that it was St Paul who was present at St Stephen’s stoning, and he states, “Paul was born by God’s grace, but through Stephen’s forgiveness. That was the seed of his conversion.” He goes on to say that “loving actions change history: even ones that are small, hidden, everyday.”
In our natural human nature, we often feel unable to forgive, or even to want to. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are enabled to forgive deep hurts, and to even begin to see them as gifts for which to be thankful.
Circle back to my inheritance Scripture, John 7:38. In verse 39, we read, “He (Jesus) said this in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in him were to receive.” It is the Spirit Who is the “living water” that will flow from within us.
I’ll conclude here with a word that I received at the Cenacle that has remained with me. It speaks of the power of Baptism, the power at work in the life of every Christian. “Christian, know your dignity. I anoint you and appoint you as agents of My mercy, to bring My peace and healing to a fearful and hurting world. Arise, and go…” Tying this all together with my Name of Grace, I recognize the call to be that Peaceful River, allowing the living waters of the Holy Spirit to work through me to lead others to unilateral forgiveness, and to live in accord with 2 These 5:18 ~ “In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
Lord God, may I be true to the Name You have given me, and embrace the mission to bring Your peace and mercy to this fearful and hurting world. May I always remain connected to the Source of Living Water, the Sacraments and Your Word. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of God, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, be with me on this journey…. Hail Mary, full of grace…..
Spiritual Sun Pennies 