Christmas With the Catholics

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Eureka Springs, AR

A few years ago, when I first began playing the organ at our local Catholic Church, I had never played for any services other than the Christian Science Society of Eureka Springs.  Not only was I a bit reticent because I hadn’t played in quite some time, but there were aspects of Catholicism which I found off-putting, such as their penchant for declaring themselves sinners. As it turns out, this was a perfect opportunity for me to practice non-judgment and to realize more fully what forgiveness truly is. Today, I focus on this institution’s desire to be charitable, to be kind, and to love with a pure heart. As I play for two services a week, I get plenty of practice at seeing them in this light. Their hypnotic rituals are difficult to ignore, so I replace them with readings of my own, discretely hidden with my music at the keyboard.  I love the young priest’s homilies and there are many people with whom I’ve developed friendships. During this time of holiday cheer, I am grateful to be providing sweet music in their beautiful church. For local people, midnight mass starts at 4 p.m., with our Christmas music program beginning at 3:30. Join us!

"Thoughts unspoken are not unknown to the divine Mind. Desire is prayer, and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be molded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 1:1-10 

“No call to God can be unheard nor left unanswered. And of this I can be sure; His answer is the one I really want. You Who remember what I really am alone remember what I really want. You speak for God, and so You speak for me. And what You give me comes from God Himself. Your Voice, my Father, then is mine as well, and all I want is what You offer me, in just the form You choose that it be mine. Let me remember all I do not know, and let my voice be still, remembering. But let me not forget Your Love and care, keeping Your promise to Your Son in my awareness always. Let me not forget myself is nothing, but my Self is all.”

A Course in Miracles W-358.1:1-7

No Conflicts in Truth

Image from Tanjab Artistry

The daily lessons in A Course in Miracles Workbook sweetly guide us through the spiritual principles we examine daily. The Christian Science weekly lesson consists of 26 topics which are rotated through twice a year. Watching these two disciplines flirt with each other, culminating in a merging which is seamless in its union, has been an exciting adventure for me! The Truth is the Truth no matter where you find it. What I love about these two practices is that there is no conflict, no space where I must set one aside for the other. They each have an elegant delivery, which guides me through our material belief to spiritual sense. Today I see us realizing our unity, as the reflection of divine Love. As a popular soft drink commercial has been telling us for years: "I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony!" It is not necessary to teach this miracle; it is only a remembering of Truth. 

"Truth is affirmative, and confers harmony. All metaphysical logic is inspired by this simple rule of Truth, which governs all reality."  

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 418:20-22

“Truth answers every call we make to God, responding first with miracles, and then returning unto us to be itself. Forgiveness, truth’s reflection, tells me how to offer miracles, and thus escape the prison house in which I think I live. Your holy Son is pointed out to me, first in my brother; then in me. Your Voice instructs me patiently to hear Your Word, and give as I receive. And as I look upon Your Son today, I hear Your Voice instructing me to find the way to You, as You appointed that the way shall be: ‘Behold his sinlessness, and be you healed.’”

A Course in Miracles W-357.1:1-5

The Healing Power of Horses

Creation of Sandy Wythawai Starbird

The documentary, Herd, is a film about the healing power of horses, our connection with all things, and compassion. Liz Mitten Ryan is an artist, an author, and a compassionate human. She has developed a retreat in British Columbia where she and ten or so horses, a big old steer, and a few dogs and cats, hold healing retreats for people who are ready to face themselves and release pain. As one woman said, “This is not so much a place to escape as it is a place to leave things behind that you don’t want any more.” All the people sharing their stories in this hour-long film had emotional baggage holding them hostage: loss of a young child, abuse of various types, or one man simply wanted to become a better physician and parent. The founder of this beautiful retreat discovered that two of her horses would touch her chakras when she was laying in their midst, and she would feel unified with them. She began to write about this phenomenon and states that she didn’t know if she was telling the animals’ stories or her own. (She says the dogs and cats were in on it, too.) She realized that horses see the invisible all around us, and that's what makes them amazing healers. We have much to learn, and the animals are ready to teach us. When we are in our truth, they come to us, and that is all they ask. 

"As mortals gain more correct views of God and man, multitudinous objects of creation, which before were invisible, will become visible. When we realize that Life is Spirit, never in nor of matter, this understanding will expand into self-completeness, finding all in God, good, and needing no other consciousness." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 264:13

“Sickness is but another name for sin. Healing is but another name for God. The miracle is thus a call to Him. Father, You promised You would never fail to answer any call Your Son might make to You. It does not matter where he is, what seems to be his problem, nor what he believes he has become. He is Your Son, and You will answer him. The miracle reflects Your Love, and thus it answers him. Your Name replaces every thought of sin, and who is sinless cannot suffer pain. Your Name gives answer to Your Son, because to call Your Name is but to call his own.”

A Course in Miracles W-356.1:1-6

I Can Be At Peace Now

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

The Dalai Lama has many profound and beautiful messages for us. He speaks of peace and love, reminding us of our true identity in such an unassumingly pure way. His gleeful words never leave me where they found me, and for this I am most grateful. I remember a video of his entitled "Compassion in Emptiness". In this talk, he addresses the importance of relationships based in honesty and trust. The joyfulness born of these interactions is essential to our liberation from fearful illusions. The trust and honesty he speaks of isn't limited to those who have "earned" it. It isn't limited in ANY way. As we go through our daily activities, let's remember to treat everyone with the loving respect and courtesy with which we would afford a dearly beloved parent or child. May kindness and joy spread to every person you come into contact with today, and everyday. And if you happen to forget what that feels like, find a video of the Dalai Lama and let him remind you!

“If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless them that curse us; but we shall never meet this great duty simply by asking that it may be done.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 9:11-14

“There is no end to all the peace and joy, and all the miracles that I will give, when I accept God’s Word. Why not today? Why should I wait, my Father, for the joy You promised me? For You will keep Your Word You gave Your Son in exile. I am sure my treasure waits for me, and I need but reach out my hand to find it. Even now my fingers touch it. It is very close. I need not wait an instant more to be at peace forever. It is You I choose, and my Identity along with You. Your Son would be Himself, and know You as his Father and Creator, and his Love.”

A Course in Miracles W-355.1:1-8

Peace and Certainty of Purpose

Photo by Aaron Springston

As the year draws to a close, our busy-ness tends to increase until we are, perhaps, in a tizzy all the time, much like the dreidel which is a staple of many celebrations. I witnessed a friend in such a dither today. As I watched her, I realized she was taking personal responsibility for everything around her. She felt put-upon and over-loaded with duties and chores. She breathlessly rushed about feeling that no one but her would know what to do about any number of things. I closed my eyes and breathed slowly and deeply, hoping it could spread to her, but she wasn’t receptive. She was no more able to accept the peace that was hers as the expression of Spirit than she was able to trust that everything would be done with or without her — or not! It’s easy to slip into the thought that we’re the only one who knows how to do certain things and everything will fall apart without us. I have found, time and again, that to stand with divine Love “in peace and certainty of purpose” allows great things to transpire! Trust and be at peace, dear Friends … 

“We stand together, Christ and I, in peace and certainty of purpose. And in Him is His Creator, as He is in me. My oneness with the Christ establishes me as Your Son, beyond the reach of time, and wholly free of every law but Yours. I have no self except the Christ in me. I have no purpose but His Own. And He is like His Father. Thus must I be one with You as well as Him. For who is Christ except Your Son as You created Him? And what am I except the Christ in me?”

A Course in Miracles  W-354.1:1-7

"Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506:18-21

Joined in Purpose

At this time of the year, we are often reminded that not everyone includes themselves in this thing we call Christianity! In order to be politically correct, we go through all sorts of angst while expressing the joy of the season to others. The man we know as Jesus was here to show us the Truth of our Being. Everyone, everywhere, is the recipient of his revelation that we are all the children of God. In seeing, speaking, and moving with the realization that God is our Life, we can live with a pure image of ourselves. With this in mind, today I will speak from my heart when the occasion arises to express the joy of the season to others. What I say will be heartfelt, with no regard to what should or shouldn't be said. And I will do my best to see everyone as the Christ that they are, regardless of how it may seem to my limited human concepts. My prayer will be to realize my true conception is spiritual, and to act and speak accordingly, as led by Spirit. Merry Christmas and Namaste!!

"The illumination of Mary's spiritual sense put to silence material law and its order of generation, and brought forth her child by the revelation of Truth, demonstrating God as the Father of men. The Holy Ghost, or divine Spirit, overshadowed the pure sense of the Virgin-mother with the full recognition that being is Spirit. The Christ dwelt forever an idea in the bosom of God, the divine Principle of the man Jesus, and woman perceived this spiritual idea, 

though at first faintly developed."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 29:20-29

“My eyes, my tongue, my hands, my feet today have but one purpose; to be given Christ to use to bless the world with miracles. Father, I give all that is mine today to Christ, to use in any way that best will serve the purpose that I share with Him. Nothing is mine alone, for He and I have joined in purpose. Thus has learning come almost to its appointed end. A while I work with Him to serve His purpose. Then I lose myself in my Identity, and recognize that Christ is but my Self.”

A Course in Miracles W-353.1:1-5

Step Back and Follow

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

“He said, 'In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love. In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm. I realized, through it all, that in the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger -- something better, pushing right back." Albert Camus 

"If I am not feeling peaceful, it is important for me to remember that I have made a judgment on my own. If I am not peaceful, I have not listened to the Holy Spirit. The way I return to peace is to once again open my mind to the healing perceptions of my inner Comforter, the One Who straightens my mind. My one vocation now becomes that of stepping back and following the lead of my inner Teacher, the One Who can return me to my true Identity." 

A Course in Miracles - Workbook Lesson #352

“Science relates to Mind, not matter. It rests on fixed Principle and not upon the judgment of false sensation.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 128:27-28

You Are My Guide To Peace

Photo credit: Gerry Toler

One of our local artists tells me that she went to Crystal Bridges, the fabulous museum here in Northwest Arkansas. She said that she ran into another local artist while there, who said to her that she felt hopeless because she realized that no matter how good she was, she would never be as good as the artists they were seeing on display. These words from the other artist had thrown her into a funk, putting quite a damper on her enjoyment of the day. Yikes!! I'm not going to dissect the erroneous thoughts I see coming from those events, but let's look at how this relates to today's Course in Miracles workbook lesson. If I see the statement-maker as sinless, whatever she says is also harmless. Her words cannot bring me pain or suffering of any sort. She is the pure Idea of God. Her words can only be translated into my depression if that's what I perceive. When I see her as she really Is, there is no need for pain, depression, or blame. She can't ruin my day. Only my thoughts toward her can do that for me. While this story was being related to me, I found myself thinking they were both foolish. I quickly realized I was perceiving them through my own warped perception. And so I turned that around, choosing peace and seeing them both as the sinless children of Love which they are — even though my first impulse was to jump up on my soapbox and tell her why they were wrong! Namaste, dear Sisters …

“My sinless brother is my guide to peace. My sinful brother is my guide to pain. And which I choose to see I will behold. Who is my brother but Your holy Son? And if I see him sinful I proclaim myself a sinner, not a Son of God; alone and friendless in a fearful world. Yet this perception is a choice I make, and can relinquish. I can also see my brother sinless, as Your holy Son. And with this choice I see my sinlessness, my everlasting Comforter and Friend beside me, and my way secure and clear. Choose, then, for me, my Father, through Your Voice. For He alone gives judgment in Your Name.”

A Course in Miracles W-351.1:1-7

"Final deliverance from error, whereby we rejoice in immortality, boundless freedom, and sinless sense, is not reached through paths of flowers nor by pinning one's faith without works to another's vicarious effort. Whosoever believeth that wrath is righteous or that divinity is appeased by human suffering, does not understand God."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 22:23-28

Unfolding the Primal Order

Art by Mickey McGrath

I love this quote attributed to Albert Einstein: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Through various religious teachings, most of us think of a miracle as divine power setting aside a material law, allowing something otherworldly or supernatural to occur. What if a miracle is simply a correction of our limiting beliefs, opening us to divine Mind and the limitless Life which is our true heritage as a child of Love? By this remembrance, we heal our mind of separation, giving us a clarity of thought and sight before unknown. I am very grateful —

“The miracle introduces no disorder, but unfolds the primal order, establishing the Science of God’s unchangeable law. Spiritual evolution alone is worthy of the exercise of divine power.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 135:6-10

“Miracles mirror God’s eternal Love. To offer them is to remember Him, and through His memory to save the world. What we forgive becomes a part of us, as we perceive ourselves. The Son of God incorporates all things within himself as You created him. Your memory depends on his forgiveness. What he is, is unaffected by his thoughts. But what he looks upon is their direct result. Therefore, my Father, I would turn to You. Only Your memory will set me free. And only my forgiveness teaches me to let Your memory return to me, and give it to the world in thankfulness.

“And as we gather miracles from Him, we will indeed be grateful. For as we remember Him, His Son will be restored to us in the reality of Love.”

A Course in Miracles W-350.1:1–2:2

The Gift I Want to Give

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick 

It may seem impossible to look upon all things without judgment, seeing the miracle of love instead. When I think about doing this, my ego goes into overdrive, telling me that doing so would condone injustice; that I must point out wrongdoing and find ways to right it. To me, looking through the eyes of divine Love means that I’m willing to wear my heart on my sleeve and do whatever I’m called on to further the cause of unity. This doesn’t mean that I’ll just say, “Oh, bless his heart”, and continue on as though nothing is wrong. Seeing with divine vision isn’t a sugar-coated coping device; it’s a way to see through the bullshit to Truth. We hear a lot of discussion about how to recognize what truth is, or how to know what to believe, and what to discredit and ignore. We’re discovering that by releasing what we think of as right and wrong allows divine Mind to be heard loud and clear. And it feels like a reviving cup of cold water when we feel as though we’re wandering through the desert!

“Millions of unprejudiced minds — simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert — are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ’s name, and never fear the consequences.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 570:14-18 

“Today I let Christ’s vision look upon all things for me and judge them not, but give each one a miracle of love instead. So would I liberate all things I see, and give to them the freedom that I seek. For thus do I obey the law of love, and give what I would find and make my own. It will be given me, because I have chosen it as the gift I want to give. Father, Your gifts are mine. Each one that I accept gives me a miracle to give. And giving as I would receive, I learn Your healing miracles belong to me.

“Our Father knows our needs. ²He gives us grace to meet them all. And so we trust in Him to send us miracles to bless the world, and heal our minds as we return to Him.”

A Course in Miracles W-349.1:1–2:3

Safety For All

 Donna Ashworth writes words of comfort and hope. 

Today I share with you a writing from her.

“I think there are many of us who don’t know what to think, right now…

There is so much wrong and so little to be done. 

And what we are witnessing is beyond the pale, and so we wait, mute, hoping that some sense will be made, that some miracle will occur.

I think there are many of us who don’t know what to say, right now.

And so we are silent instead.

And we silently pray.

Pray for answers, for peace, for a miracle. 

Pray for a superman to sweep in and save the innocent, right the wrongs, clean the chaos and put the buildings back together so everyone can go home again.

I think there are many of us, so many of us, who don’t know what to do,

 right now...

And so we go about our lives, seemingly normal.

But inside we are praying. 

Inside we are hoping.

Inside we are desperate to find a way to help.

Desperate for safety for all.

Desperate for safety for all.”

By Donna Ashworth

“I have no cause for anger or for fear, for You surround me. And in every need that I perceive, Your grace suffices me. Father, let me remember You are here, and I am not alone. Surrounding me is everlasting Love. I have no cause for anything except the perfect peace and joy I share with You. What need have I for anger or for fear? Surrounding me is perfect safety. Can I be afraid, when Your eternal promise goes with me? Surrounding me is perfect sinlessness. What can I fear, when You created me in holiness as perfect as Your Own?

“God’s grace suffices us in everything that He would have us do. And only that we choose to be our will as well as His.”

A Course in Miracles W-348.1:1–2:2

"The great miracle to human sense is divine Love, and the grand necessity of existence is to gain the true idea of what constitutes the kingdom of heaven in man. This goal is never reached while we hate our neighbor." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 560: 11-13

Straighten My Mind

It’s time for me to make a big confession, right out loud. Every time I see Donald Trump’s face and hear words coming out of his mouth, I want to sock him in the jaw; perhaps even throw up on him. As with any negative thought, I do my best to reinterpret and transpose my feelings. But in this situation, I simply cover it up under some metaphorical kitty litter, leaving it there to become even more disgusting. Whew! It feels good to admit that. In light of today’s Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #347, I want to “straighten my sick mind”. Where I am seeing a sinful world, I ask to cleanse my mind and see it in the spiritual purity which is reality. The illusions have become extremely solid. But it is not possible for me to condemn someone else and remain unscathed by my judgment. The miracle is mine if I can see the One Creator and One Creation. I can then forgive my judgments, thereby releasing all those I have judged. Namaste …

“Anger must come from judgment. Judgment is the weapon I would use against myself, to keep the miracle away from me. Father, I want what goes against my will, and do not want what is my will to have. Straighten my mind, my Father. It is sick. But You have offered freedom, and I choose to claim Your gift today. And so I give all judgment to the One You gave to me to judge for me. He sees what I behold, and yet He knows the truth. He looks on pain, and yet He understands it is not real, and in His understanding it is healed. He gives the miracles my dreams would hide from my awareness. Let Him judge today. I do not know my will, but He is sure it is Your Own. And He will speak for me, and call Your miracles to come to me.

“Listen today. Be very still, and hear the gentle Voice for God assuring you that He has judged you as the Son He loves.”

A Course in Miracles W-347.1:1–2:2

"Material man is made up of involuntary and voluntary error, of a negative right and a positive wrong, the latter calling itself right. Man's spiritual individuality is never wrong." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 491:7-10

A Breach in Time

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick

Have you ever felt a moment when it seemed that time stood still? These sentences from today's ACIM lesson brought back a remembrance in me: "What I seek today transcends all laws of time and things perceived in time. I would forget all things except Your Love." A number of years ago, I experienced a breach in time. It happened when I first saw a man who later became my very good friend. I was playing the organ at a Sunday morning service when he walked in and sat down. As I looked over at him, it was as though time didn't exist. Everything was still, and yet it felt like eons rushed through me. My material interpretation of this event was that I knew this man from forever; that he was the one I'd been waiting for. Today I see the event as something different. Our meeting opened a portal, if you will. I became aware of a doorway I could step through where nothing existed other than the Love which is God. What a gift! 

“Today the peace of God envelops me, and I forget all things except His Love. Father, I wake today with miracles correcting my perception of all things. And so begins the day I share with You as I will share eternity, for time has stepped aside today. I do not seek the things of time, and so I will not look upon them. What I seek today transcends all laws of time and things perceived in time. I would forget all things except Your Love. I would abide in You, and know no laws except Your law of love. And I would find the peace which You created for Your Son, forgetting all the foolish toys I made as I behold Your glory and my own.

“And when the evening comes today, we will remember nothing but the peace of God. For we will learn today what peace is ours, when we forget all things except God’s Love.”

A Course in Miracles W-346.1:1–2:2

"Eternity, not time, expresses the thought of Life, and time is no part of eternity. One ceases in proportion as the other is recognized."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 468:26:30

Universal Laws of Love

We are all looking at the same thing and interpreting it differently. Numerous times in these writings I’ve recommended the practice of The Four Agreements, which is ancient Toltec wisdom as interpreted by Don Miguel Ruiz. The events we are watching unfold in our political scene could have been avoided if people would simply follow these agreements: “Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best.” This last admonition can be augmented by something attributed to Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Simple advice, huh? As much as I’d love to feed these words into everyone’s belief system, I know I cannot. I can only change my mind, my beliefs, my way of life. And so I will…

“I offer only miracles today, for I would have them be returned to me. Father, a miracle reflects Your gifts to me, Your Son. And every one I give returns to me, reminding me the law of love is universal. Even here, it takes a form which can be recognized and seen to work. The miracles I give are given back in just the form I need to help me with the problems I perceive. Father, in Heaven it is different, for there, there are no needs. But here on earth, the miracle is closer to Your gifts than any other gift that I can give. Then let me give this gift alone today, which, born of true forgiveness, lights the way that I must travel to remember You.

”Peace to all seeking hearts today. The light has come to offer miracles to bless the tired world. It will find rest today, for we will offer what we have received.”

A Course in Miracles W345.1:1–2:3

“A spiritual idea has not a single element of error, and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 463:23-13