Detachment
(The Beginning)- 11/22/18
When first I asked my Lord to free me of attachments, I was suddenly bombarded with the clear perception of several “ending relationships.” The endings, though painful, were swift and final - save one. The “one” was really only a test, though at the time, I did not know it. And it seems to have been saved. My friendship with Sue is based on our faith and our mutual affection for the Master and Lord of our lives, our world and our universe. Yet, though Sue says she is no further along than I, it seems to me that she is.
The other lost relationships all occurred during the week before Thanksgiving, arranging for me to feel a strong hurt over the loss of friendships, with a true feeling of guilt for having offending Thee.
But this chain-of-events has brought forth a clear vision of what is about to occur. The Master is preparing a way for me to receive him in my soul, with a strength, in a way that has never been held so forcefully.
I welcome this conversion.
In the book, "Fire Within," by Fr. Thomas Dubay, which I am presently reading, he explains it thus:
“This union of likeness effected by perfect love can happen only when everything unlike and unconformed to God is cast out, for otherwise the entire image cannot be received into the soul.”
As St. Paul says, we must do everything, all for the glory of God. (Paraphrased).
Here is the exact quote:
"So, whether your eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." Cor. 10/31
As I journey this diamond-studded path, I see myself moving along at lightning speed, although, in reality it's probably more like a snail's pace. I know I must not judge myself, for that is God's work. But still, it puts questions in my heart that I know, as an inquisitive, I feel a need to answer.
As the day went on, I stopped at Cracker Barrel for lunch. It was an experience that I know was sent from above. When I put the first bite of food in my mouth, it tasted like nothing I had ever felt in my life. It prompted me to close my eyes in amazement, lift my head to the heavens and praise God in a way I had never done before.
Interestingly enough, this heavenly experience was preceded by another experience that I must now share. On Tuesday, I went to confession. (We, Catholics do that sort of thing). After I had given my confessor a list of my sins, he questioned me.
"Of that long list, which do you believe is the biggest (or worst -
I can't remember which)?"
I had first confessed the sin of gluttony, so I answered him with that. He said that since gluttony is eating too much, the best way to combat it to do the opposite.
"So, for your pennance, you should do a one-day fast that consists of one regular meal and two small meals, and nothing in between. Can you do that?" he asked. I smiled and said yes. I had been asking for a real penance for some time now. And, this was the first real penance I'd ever been given. That was Tuesday. I knew that if I didn't perform this penance promptly, I would never get it done, and then, I'd have to go to confession and tell the priest I sinned some more, which I did not want to do. So, yesterday, I completed my penance. The hardest part of the day was at night, when I got the munchies, for a snack. But, I held on. And, since today was Thanksgiving, I felt justified to eat a decent turkey dinner. Cracker Barrel provided just that.
And, my Master provided the rest. Hence, the beginning of detachment.
Peace to all, and Happy Thanksgiving.