Inner Work
On Monday, I was at Camp McDowell for the Province IV Daughters of the King (DOK) Fall Assembly. In a conversation with a fellow Daughter, we discussed the importance of “inner work”, the practice of prayer and the connection with God. We affirmed that this “inner work” prepares us for life’s challenges and surprises.
My friend Ruth is now the Province IV DOK President. We have known each other for over 40 years, working together in Atlanta and sharing our Episcopal faith. She reminded me that in Atlanta I had told her I could never be a Daughter because Daughters were “holy” and I wasn’t. I was too busy “doing” God’s work. We smile now because, thanks be to God, when I came to Alabama, the Daughters became an early and essential part of my life, for prayer, for community, and for service. The Daughters deepened my prayer life and became a crucial stepping stone on my spiritual journey, which surprisingly led to ordination.
Other stepping stones on my spiritual path were a greater appreciation of the Christian mystics, two of which are remembered this week, Thérèse de Lisieux (October 1) and Francis of Assisi (October 4).
On a pilgrimage to Normandy in France, we prayed Thérèse de Lisieux’s simple prayers. She’s a rather modern (19th Century) mystic whose “Little Way” appeals to many. She simply surrenders to God, a practice I am still learning to do, but my Centering Prayer Group really supports this consent to God. This is my “inner work”.
Of course, Francis is a favorite saint. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan, has written that Francis began an “alternative Christianity” in the 13th Century. The papal structure of the time could not grasp why Francis wanted to get rid of his material wealth and assume a life of “Lady Poverty”. Francis was following Jesus’ words and began a movement to return to community to care for the poor, the marginalized, the forgotten. Our Cursillo song “Will You Come and Follow Me” tells a good deal of the story of Francis’ understanding of how to follow Jesus. He did kiss the leper clean.
At Camp, I renewed my relationship with Monica, the new Chief Operating Officer. Twenty years ago we traveled together on pilgrimage to Umbria in Italy, walking the steps of St. Francis of Assisi, sharing worship and prayer, doing a lot of “inner work” alone and in community.
The “inner work” continues as I celebrate 14 years of ordained ministry. Our class of deacons was ordained at the Cathedral Church of the Advent on October 1, 2011. What a journey this continues to be!
Here’s a Prayer of St. Thérèse de Lisieux
May today there be peace within. May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let his presence settle into your bones and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you.
God’s peace, Judy Q +
