Review by Dana Green of The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr, National Catholic Reporter

"The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe is the summation of the lifetime work of Richard Rohr, the result of his 75 years of experience and reflection. Those who have previously read one of his some 30 books or are among the more than 300,000 recipients of his "Daily Meditations" are prepared to take on Rohr's cumulative synthesis. For others, the book might prove dense. "

https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/richard-rohr-synthesizes-his-lifetime-work-alternative-orthodoxy

"Although its language is accessible, it ranges over ontology, theology, Christology, psychology, anthropology and spirituality, hence its complexity. Acknowledging that comprehending his message might be taxing, Rohr advises the reader to proceed slowly. When he puts forward a particularly provocative idea he italicizes the print, warning the reader to stop and ponder.

His high aspiration for the book is expressed in its subtitle to "change everything we see, hope for, and believe."

Rohr's principal sources of inspiration are two: his earthy Franciscan tradition and the writings of Paul. These influences are evident throughout and it is on their foundations he constructs what elsewhere he calls his "alternative orthodoxy."

There will be those who will condemn his work as "heretical," and others will be overwhelmed by the book's complexity, but no one can contest Rohr's dedication or the breadth of his vision. Those who persevere in reading will be challenged and rewarded as Rohr explores their fundamental assumptions about God, Jesus, the self and religion.

The reader might begin with Appendix I, "The Four Worldviews," in which Rohr describes the "incarnational" view of reality, one evident in the Eastern Fathers, Celtic spirituality and many of the mystics. The "incarnational" worldview is the subject of the first half of the book and is defined as the Christ mystery; that is, the "indwelling of the Divine Presence in everyone and everything since the beginning of time." God is not only in all things, but all things are in God.

"The Glory of Christ" by Stephen Whatley, an expressionist artist based in London (CNS/Stephen B. Whatley)

The Christ mystery is the "transcendent" element in everything, but also the "infinite horizon" that pulls all things forward; it is the name for everything in its fullness. As a consequence, creation is both the hiding place and the place where God is revealed.

Rohr argues that he is not proposing a pantheist view, but rather a panentheist one. That is, that God is within all things, but transcends them. In short, there is no significant distinction between the natural and the supernatural, the holy and the profane.

Rohr suggests that the first incarnation is creation itself; it is God's outpouring. The second incarnation is Jesus of Nazareth, Christ's historical manifestation in time.

Jesus, who is both fully God and fully human, reveals the universal pattern of self-emptying, death and resurrection. His life parallels the natural process itself. While some might argue that this view diminishes the importance of Jesus, Rohr argues that it rather places him in the cosmic process of ongoing incarnation.

As a result, it makes Jesus not only personal but also universal, freed from a culture-bound religion. Jesus is offered to fellow humans for their imitation. He carried the mystery of universal suffering and allowed it to change him. As followers, Christians must likewise have compassion for others and hold their suffering.

Since incarnation is a continuous cosmic event, its third manifestation is in the community of believers, the body of Christ. Hence "Christ" is the universal metaphor for the ongoing incarnation, first in creation, then in the historical Jesus, and finally in those who follow him.

The experience of the incarnational worldview is made possible through great love or great suffering, both of which open one to transcendence. The work of religion is to help one recognize and recover the divine image in everything. This is the "forgotten reality" that will change everything.

Acquisition of this experience is made easier if one begins from the starting point of original blessing rather than original sin, the latter being first advanced by Augustine in the fifth century.

Part II of The Universal Christ considers a variety of topics: the feminine incarnation, atonement, the real presence, the communion of saints, universal resurrection, the witness of Mary Magdalene and Paul and the importance of human experience in determining truth.

Many of these topics have been explored by Rohr in his previous books or in his "Daily Meditations." But here their connection to his earlier discussion of the universal Christ is tenuous, making the second half of the book diffuse.

Rohr concludes with the admonition that this reenvisioning of the "forgotten reality," namely the Christ mystery, will remain only a theory unless it is practiced; only through practice will transformation be possible.

He closes his compelling book by quoting from Corinthians, acknowledging his aspiration for himself and his readers: that "our unveiled gaze receives and reflects that brightness of God until we are gradually turned into the image that we reflect."

[Dana Greene's latest book is Elizabeth Jennings: The Inward War.]

Sign Petition- To Pope Francis, Synod Officials, Cardinals, Bishops Catholic Women Religious Superiors Should Vote at the Pan-Amazonian Synod

October 4, 2019 Yesterday, at the opening press conference for the Amazon Synod, the head of the Synod office, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri confirmed that women religious will not be voting this year. Of the 265 participants, 33 are women (10 are women religious from the International Union of Superiors General) and none will be voting. This is the case even though Pope Francis has made an exception again, this year, for a non-ordained male religious to vote. This is the third time since his pontificate began. In 2015, there was one non-ordained male superior. In 2018, there were two. And in 2019, there is one non-ordained male religious (who is not a superior).  According to Episcopalis Communio, Pope Francis' update of Pope Paul VI's Apostolic Constitution regulating the way synods are organized, he can make an exception when he deems it necessary.  §2. According to the theme and the circumstances, certain others who are not Bishops may be summoned to the Synod Assembly; their role is determined in each case by the Roman Pontiff. Because non ordained male religious and female religious have the same ecclesial status in the Church, to continue to reserve the right to vote to males only, even males who are not ordained, is a troubling display of sexism in need of transformation by the Gospel message.  Further, women religious themselves have been hard at work lobbying for more representation and voting rights. Last year the International Union of Superiors General (UISG represents 600,000 religious women) and the Union of Superiors General (USG represents 185,000 priests and brothers) worked on a proposal to create greater equality for women at the synods and to open the vote to them. By all accounts, the proposal went directly to Pope Francis. Still women are not voting. In the face of this continued discrimination and because synods are meant to be places where the whole People of God gather to share wisdom, we will not stop our work until women have the vote. Please sign the petition urging our bishops to open the door to women voting at the synod.  Also, the Women's Ordination Conference has launched a letter writing campaign asking Catholics to contact the synod office and the secretary general of the Synod, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri to open the vote to women. You can copy and paste a letter to Cardinal Baldisseri from here.  Please, do your part! The Church needs the wisdom, experience, and voices of women, especially at synods and especially as we seek to heal our earth and our church!  Let's make it a reality together! Deborah Rose-Milavec & Russ Petrus Co-Directors

SIGN THE PETITION

CONTRIBUTE TO FUTURECHURCH'S WORK

Deb will continue with her daily reporting from Rome! Her reporting is really making a difference both at the Synod and in the daily lives of Catholics around the world. Here's just some of what people are saying:

"In 1971, they Synod of Bishops wrote, “While the Church is bound to give witness to justice, she recognizes that anyone who ventures to speak to people about justice must first be just in their eyes. Hence we must undertake an examination of the modes of acting and of the possessions and life style found within the Church herself.”

As we come to the 2019 Special Pan-Amazonian Synod which will begin in a few days, we ask to what degree this prophetic 1971 statement of the bishops is being fulfilled.  

Because the synod is dealing with the serious issues of reclaiming the health of our planet and our church,  we know that the voice of women will be critical. 

Yet, we know that women religious who are invited as auditors at this upcoming synod will not have a deliberative voice because they will not be able to vote.  

So today, we want to explore this question of justice within the church through the lens of the work of women religious. "

LEADING: Autumn 2019 Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests Newsletter

https://arcwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ARCWP_Fall2019.pdf

People's Catholic Seminary Fund Appeal

People's Catholic Seminary Fund Appeal
https://pcseminary.org/donate-2

Your donation will foster educational programs and seminars for spiritual transformation, empowerment and equality.

People's Catholic Seminary Fund Appeal

PEOPLE’S CATHOLIC SEMINARY
PO Box 421
Watervliet, NY 12189
https://pcseminary.org
October 3, 2019

Dear Friends,
Thank you for your support of People's Catholic Seminary.
As you know, PCS is a new 501-c-3 non-profit that began in 2017. 
Our mission is to offer courses and programs to inspire and educate 
individuals and groups on a journey to spiritual transformation, 
empowerment and equality grounded in Jesus’ vision 
of an open table, where all are loved and welcome. 
https://pcseminary.org/donate-2

Our courses utilize the prophetic writings of contemporary
theologians and spiritual leaders like Elizabeth Johnson, 
Richard Rohr, Joan Chittister, Gregory Boyle, 
Joseph Martos and many more. 
We share the wisdom of God in our sacred texts, theologies,
 sacred practices, sacramental celebrations, 
and lived experiences. See list of our 16 current courses:

https://pcseminarycourses.blogspot.com/

We respectfully request your financial support to continue 
and expand our mission to provide low cost, or in some cases, 
no cost, educational programs for candidates in the 
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests and 
individuals and groups who promote a renewed model 
of ordained ministry in inclusive communities of equals 
in the Roman Catholic Church.

Twenty-seven individuals have taken PCS courses and 
most have taken them at no cost. This has been a labor of love 
for us. Currently eight individuals are enrolled in 
PCS courses and two are enrolled in the GMU-PCS 
Master of Pastoral Ministry degree program.

The funds we are requesting from you will be used to expand 
our courses, pay stipends to our faculty, develop future 
workshops in contemporary theology, transformative 
spirituality and social justice, and pay operations 
costs such as bookkeeper, accountant and webmaster. 
Any help you can offer us would be most appreciated. 
Please visit our website for the donate button
 at: https://pcseminary.org/donate-2 or send 
checks to the above address.

With gratitude,

Bridget Mary Meehan and Mary Theresa Streck

"Women walking together, away from the church" by Phillis Zagano, National Catholic Reporter, Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement Leading, not Leaving the Church.

https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/just-catholic/women-walking-together-away-church

My Response: I agree with Phyllis Zagano that the Roman Catholic Church is at a crossroads. If the hierarchy refuses to allow women equal voting at the Amazon Synod and does not endorse married priests and women priests, they will have squandered another step out of the abyss. The good news is that new inclusive, empowered women-led communities are emerging around the world with the Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement leading, not leaving the Church! We are leading the way toward a new model of a community of equals in grassroots  ecclesial communities!

Pope Francis Meets with Fr. James Martin SJ to Discuss Pastoral Issues Related to LGBtQI

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/09/30/pope-meets-with-jesuit-criticized-by-conservatives-for-gay-outreach/

New Course on Celtic Holy Women: Our Wisdom Guides for the 21st Century with Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan from People's Catholic Seminary (Register now, see link below)

To register: https://pcseminarycourses.blogspot.com/

For more information: https://pcseminary.org

-->

Email: peoplescatholicseminary@gmail.com

See List of Current Courses: https://pcseminarycourses.blogspot.com/

A Relaxing Healing 3 Minute Prayer Meditation at St. Brigid's Wells with Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

https://youtu.be/FvJurdI48aU

"The Greening of the Soul " New Course on St. Hildegard of Bingen Now Available with Dr. Shanon Sterringer ARCWP from People's Catholic Seminary

PCS 307- Hildegard and the Greening of the Soul

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will begin with an engaging introduction to Hildegard’s life followed by an overview of her works and their significance for us today. It will conclude by weaving it all together through the lens of Hildegard’s understanding of the theological concepts of Viriditas (greening power) and the Living Light (primordial energy force). The contemporary contributions of this medieval woman and Doctor of the Church, St. Hildegard of Bingen, have the potential for inspiring a new model of empowered companionship for ministry today through creativity, mysticism, and the greening of the soul.

This course will be based on eight topics drawn from Hildegard’s works. The topics will include recommended readings (summaries will be provided in a PDF format) plus supplementary material (recorded lectures, videos, music, website links). No textbook required.

Course Facilitator

Shanon Sterringer, Ph.D., D.Min, MA, MA

 

Shanon was ordained a priest in Linz, Austria on August 3, 2019 and a deacon in Cleveland, Ohio on July 10, 2018. She is the founder and director of the Hildegard Haus (formerly the Hildegarden) and the Community of St. Hildegard in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. She is a member of the presiding team at the Community of St. Bridget. Shanon earned a Ph.D. (2016) in Ethical and Creative Leadership from Union Institute & University; DMin (2012), M.Div equivalent (2010), and a MA in Theology (2007) from St. Mary's Roman Catholic Seminary and Graduate School of Theology; MA in Ministry (2011) from Ursuline College; and a BA in Religious Studies (2003) from Cleveland State University. Shanon has travelled to Bingen, Germany numerous times to walk in the footsteps of Hildegard of Bingen for research and personal/professional development. She brings to the course this rich experience and her love for Hildegard. She is a well-seasoned retreat director and has offered numerous retreats for women and men on various topics, most notably topics relating to St. Hildegard of Bingen. She has recently published a book through Fortress-Augsburg Press, “30 Day Journey with St. Hildegard of Bingen” and is currently writing a new book on her call to ordained ministry. She is an adjunct faculty member of Global Ministries University and the People’s Catholic Seminary.

For more information: peoplescatholicseminary@gmail.com

“The soul is the viridity of the flesh, for the human body grows and advances through it, like the earth made fruitful through moisture.” St. Hildegard of Bingen LDO 1:4

Mary Mother of Jesus, ICC @ Sun City Center, October 3 2019 Liturgy for Immigrants, Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Ourselves

All: Infinite God in whom we live and move and have our being (arms outstretched), Holy Spirit Sophia in every person and all Communities (hands in Namaste position, bowing to person across from you), Inner God, our brother Jesus: We are your light for the world (hands crossed over heart) Amen

Presider: God is within you and our community.  All: And also, within you.

Opening Prayer All: O Holy Mystery Brother Jesus, today you call us to welcome the members of God's family who come to our land to escape oppression, poverty, persecution, violence, and war. Like your disciples, we too may be filled with fear and doubt and even suspicion. We may have built barriers in our hearts and in our minds. Amen

See Sheet for Readings 

First Reading-Pope Francis 

Poem placed on the Statue of Liberty

Gospel reading-Matthew 25   

Shared Homily: Why do immigrants come? What is the suffering of immigrants coming to the USA? How have I helped? How might I help? What actions? What prayers? (see sheet)  

Profession of Faith. All I believe in God our Divine Creator who desires us to know immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees and ourselves as Holy Mystery’s beloved daughters and sons. I believe in Jesus, God of Compassion and Loving all persons unconditionally that we all might learn and live following his Way. I believe in Sophia God’s Spirit of Renewal, healing humanity, calling us into our evolutionary future. We are called to be God’s Compassion enfleshed through our lives and for our country’s immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees.   Amen. 

Presider: Always mindful of God’s love and care for us, we bring the needs of the People of God to our loving Holy Mystery, Wisdom Sophia and our Risen Jesus Christ. Response: Jesus, you were a refugee, hear our prayer.  

Presider: May we welcome migrants and refugees with joy and generosity, while responding to their many needs. R Presider: May we share of our abundance as you spread a banquet before us. R

Presider: May we give witness to your love for all refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers as we celebrate the many gifts they bring. R

Presider: For what else should we pray…R.

Presider: We know you hear our prayers; those we speak and those we keep in our hearts. With the aid Jesus Christ our Brother may our acts of compassion and prayers support all who come to our country’s shores. All: Amen 

PREPARATION OF OUR GIFTS

Presider:  Blessed are you, Jesus Christ Lover of all.  This bread is your MMOJ community standing in solidarity with all who come to America as immigrants and refugees.  We offer this bread for it will become for all the Bread of life. ALL: Holy Family you had to flee for your lives, accept our gifts.  

Presider:  Blessed are you, O God, Divine Compassion for all.  This wine is our ministry with and for immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. We have this wine to offer, it will become our spiritual drink for all. ALL: Holy Family you had to flee for your lives, accept our gifts.  

All: Blessed are you, God of all creation, through your goodness we offer our own ministry. May we join in prayer and solidarity with all immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees.   Amen. 

Eucharistic Prayer. 

All Sing: We are holy holy holy (x3) We are whole; You are holy holy holy (x3) You are whole; I am holy (x3) I am whole; We are holy holy holy (x3) We are whole.

All: Come Sophia Wisdom, Holy Spirit and settle on this bread and wine. Fill them with the holiness and wholeness of our Brother Jesus our Cosmic Christ who is leading us to justice and dignity for all, especially immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees coming to the USA. Amen

Remembering Jesus.   (hand extended in blessing): 

All: On the night before he died, while at supper with his friends, Jesus took bread, broke it, and shared it with those present and we today, saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat. This is my body which will be broken for you.” (Pause)

All: Then Jesus took a cup of wine and shared it with those present, and we today, saying, “Take this all of you and drink. This is the cup of my life-blood, lived for you. Do this in memory of me.”

All (2nd Invocation of Spirit, with hand on each other’s shoulder): Come Holy Spirit to rest on us. Refreshed from our worship together and joined within the Communion of Saints may we extend your justice and dignity to all immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees.  

Prayer of Jesus “Our Father and Mother”

Song of Peace: Faith is flowing like a river, flowing out of you and me, flowing out into the desert, setting all the captives free. Hope is flowing…Love is flowing... 

Litany for Breaking of Bread.  

Men: Loving God, you call us to speak truth to power. We will do so! 

Women: Loving God, you call us to bring your Good News of our resurrection with immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. We will do so!

ALL: Loving God, you call us to be your Compassion for immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees. We will be so!

Presider: This is Jesus who lived and walked to his death in solidarity with those poor and marginalized.  All are invited to partake of this banquet of love and to live our resurrection journey in hope. All: With Jesus Christ our Brother and the Way,  we choose to be the Body of Christ for all whom we meet on our way. 

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Didache, 100CE)

Men 1: For the thanksgiving, give thanks this way: First, for the cup: We thank you, Abba God, for the sacred vine of David your son, whose meaning you made clear to us through our brother Jesus, yours ever be the splendor. 

Women 2: And for the bread fragment: We thank you, Amma God, for the life and wisdom whose meaning you made clear to us through Jesus, yours ever be the splendor.  

All 3: As this fragment was scattered high on hills, but by gathering was united into one, so let your people from earth’s ends be united into your single reign, for yours are splendor and might through Jesus Christ down the ages.

Prayers of Gratitude from community

Presider: Let us continue our resurrection journey with immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees in solidarity for unity, peace and justice in our country. Let our prayers and service continue in the name of our Brother Jesus our Cosmic Christ. All: Amen

Final Blessing. 

All (hand extended over community):

May Jesus Christ and Holy Wisdom bless our prayers and actions for the dignity of, and in solidarity with immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees here and around the world. Amen  

Final Blessing, extend you arm in blessing: 

Remember that you are 

highly favored, 

deeply loved, 

and greatly blessed. Amen

Thanks to and adapted from a liturgy by Michael and Imogene Rigdon of MMOJ-Sarasota

________________________________________________________________________________________

A prayer from Jesuits: Lord Jesus, when you multiplied the loaves and fishes, you provided more than food for the body, you offered us the gift of yourself, the gift which satisfies every hunger and quenches every thirst! Your disciples were filled with fear and doubt, but you poured out your love and compassion on the migrant crowd, welcoming them as brothers and sisters. 

Lord Jesus, today you call us to welcome the members of God's family who come to our land to escape oppression, poverty, persecution, violence, and war. Like your disciples, we too are filled with fear and doubt and even suspicion. We build barriers in our hearts and in our minds. 

Lord Jesus, help us by your grace, 

• To banish fear from our hearts, that we may embrace each of your children as our own brother and sister; 
• To welcome migrants and refugees with joy and generosity, while responding to their many needs; 
• To realize that you call all people to your holy mountain to learn the ways of peace and justice; 
• To share of our abundance as you spread a banquet before us; 
• To give witness to your love for all people, as we celebrate the many gifts they bring.

We praise you and give you thanks for the family you have called together from so many people. We see in this human family a reflection of the divine unity of the one Most Holy Trinity in whom we make our prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.  

READINGS for October 3, 2019 FYI: Websites and charts on immigration follow

First Reading* is taken from the writing of Pope Francis: 

“For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?” (Mt 5:46). It is not just about migrants: it is about charity. Through works of charity, we demonstrate our faith (cf. Jas 2:18). And the highest form of charity is that shown to those unable to reciprocate and perhaps even to thank us in return. “It is also about the face we want to give to our society and about the value of each human life... The progress of our peoples... depends above all on our openness to being touched and moved by those who knock at our door. Their faces shatter and debunk all those false idols that can take over and enslave our lives; idols that promise an illusory and momentary happiness blind to the lives and sufferings of others” The Inspired word of Pope Francis. All: Thanks be to God  

Our prayer of response: The New Colossus, by Emma Lazarus November 2, 1883

Women: 

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

Men:
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

All: Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Gospel Reading Matthew 25: 31-40 

The ruler will say to those on the right, “Come, you blessed of my Abba God! Inherit the kindom prepared for you from the creation of the world!  For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me drink.  I was a stranger and you welcomed me; naked and you clothed me.  I was ill and you comforted me; in prison and came to visit me.’ Then these just will ask, ‘When did we see you hungry and feed you, or see you thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or clothe you in your nakedness? When did we see you ill or in prison and come to visit you?  The ruler will answer them, ‘The truth is, every time you did this for the least of my sisters or brothers, you did it for me.’” The Good news of Jesus our Brother, our Way.  All: Blessed be Jesus Christ, the ruler of all humanity and creation.

*(Address at the Diocesan Caritas of Rabat, 30 March 2019). https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-05/pope-francis-message-world-day-migrants-refugees-full-text.html

Resources for more information:

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/06/28/what-we-know-about-illegal-immigration-from-mexico/

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/06/12/5-facts-about-illegal-immigration-in-the-u-s/

https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/interactives/unauthorized-trends/

https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/mexican-immigrants-united-states

https://www.amnestyusa.org/fleeing-for-our-lives-central-american-migrant-crisis/

https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/central-american-immigrants-united-states

https://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/mexican-and-central-american-immigrants-united-states

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/01/world/americas/mexico-migration-border.html

https://www.lawfareblog.com/what-are-legal-pathways-central-americans-enter-us

President lowering 2020 refugee numbers:
Trump to cut number of refugees allowed in U.S. to lowest ever
Under the new proposed ceiling for fiscal year 2020, the U.S. would admit no more than 1,500 refugees from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala
CBS News: https://apple.news/A9gqn8p90Rtm1-eSwm53-AQ