Reading the Signs of Time

Step into Kairos



There is little question about how we as humans are affected by the passage of time. It is a constant struggle as we race against the clock to keep appointments, schedule events, take time to rest and recoup from the daily strains of life, etc.,   Yet linear time is an illusion in contrast to God’s time.  Theologians tell us God exists ‘outside time and place’ and  is able to experience our life as a single event – from the alpha to the omega. This now makes perfect sense when as a child we would ask the question how can God possibly connect with us at the same time as all the other people in the world?  St. Thomas Aquinas said [God’s] knowledge, like his existence, is measured by eternity, which in one and the same instant encompasses all time; so his gaze is eternally focused on everything  in time as on something present . . . What happens in time is known by us in time, moment by moment, above time. (Summa Theologiae 14:13)   

The awareness of ‘God’s time’ from ‘linear time’ has an enormous impact on our earthly existence and experience.  

St. Augustine in his City of God (Book 12) argued against Plato and Aristotle – that circular views of time were ‘miserable’ and ‘prevented the appearance of anything new’.  By contrast Christianity offered the possibility of renewal, growth, personal change and salvation. 

Jesus used a Greek term for this: kairos, a word meaning ‘opportunity or 'the right time’.  Kairos is distinct from chronos, the usual Greek word for time, which refers to the mere passage of events.  In Kairos the linear movement of time is less significant than the power and potential of every given moment.  From this, time is not so much a ‘line’ as a pattern of dots, where each dot represents a unique historical opportunity.

In the New Testament, the concept of kairos is used in a special theological sense, to speak about the timing of salvation. Jesus describes his own appearance and the coming of his kingdom as    moments of kairos. Paul tells us that Jesus died at a moment of kairos and that his second coming* will he another. To see kairos moments, said Jesus, we need to be able to 'read the signs of the times’ by looking at the world with the eyes of faith. Only then does the array of religious opportunity become visible. Paul urges his fellow Christians to seize the kairos and put their lives right, before Jesus' second coming and the final judgment**.

John Bowden, Ed. Christianity – The complete Guide, Novalis, 2005.  



Experiencing Timelessness

We have all probably experienced moments of timelessness.  Perhaps it was watching a golden sunset, a walk through a pine scented forest, observing clouds moving effortlessly against a blue sky.  A moment shared between two lovers, etc.  

All it really takes is an awareness to be in the present and letting God be God.  Many gifted spiritual teachers can help us or experience momentary ‘eternity’ without the need to leave earth. This form of meditation, can be a powerful tool especially for those who find prayer as difficult, dull, or frustrating.  The essential key, is to journey beyond mere thought forms and discover satisfying new depths in prayer from the heart.

A well known and proven guide to such exercises, especially for groups, is  available from most bookstores is Anthony de Mello’s ‘Sadhana A Way To God – Christian Exercises in Eastern Form (1984).  For those who prefer a solo effort I recommend ‘Wellsprings – A Book of Spiritual Exercises’ (1984) also by Fr. Anthony de Mello, SJ.   Here follows a brief outline of just one exercise called ‘The Center’

         I imagine that I walk into a desert place.

         I spend some time exploring the surroundings,

         then settle down to contemplate my life.

         I see how frequently I rush outside myself

-     To people, occupations, places, things –

In search of strength and peace and meaning,

forgetting that the source of all

is here within my heart.

It is here that I must search   

One of the profitable benefits experienced by most participants, just like the sunset, is to observe without making judgment and a sense of timelessness.

The universe could no more be separate from God than my body could be separate from its cells.  Moreover, the only emotion that I would associate with God is love, but it would be more accurate to say that God is love than God is loving. – Dr. Allan Smith as quoted by Bernard Haisch, The Purpose – Guided Universe (2010) p. 146.

*  "In titling this work 'The Second Coming of Christ', I am not referring to a literal return of Jesus to earth. He came two thousand years ago and, after imparting a universal path to God's kingdom, was crucified and resurrected; his reappearance to the masses now is not necessary for the fulfillment of his teachings. What 'is' necessary is for the cosmic wisdom and divine perception of Jesus to speak again through each one's own experience and understanding of the infinite Christ Consciousness that was incarnate in Jesus. That will be his true Second Coming. - The Second Coming of Christ (The Resurrection of the Christ Within You) P.  Yogananda

** see also: http://whenreligionfails.blogspot.com/search/label/final%20judgment

Spiritual Renewal

"Surely we are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a human experience." - Teilhard de Chardin

Whatever happened to Catholic spiritual renewal programs for adults?

The popular series 'Becoming Followers of Jesus' co-authored by Barbara Paleczny, SSND and Michel Cote, OP, inspired by the enthusiastic efforts of Vatican II, was a successful spiritual renewal program for many Catholic participants. Made available in various parts of Canada during the mid eighties it was specifically designed to meet the needs of the laity. This unique self directed series was designed to be practised by small groups of lay participants in a home setting. Its authors delivered an easy to follow text that encouraged participants to discover their spiritual roots based on their unique experience of God in their every- day life'. The book was divided into six separate units gradually building on the previous week and unit. The entire program could be comfortably covered in approximately two years or more. The two volume text consisted of a separate 'Participant's Manual' and 'Facilitator's Guide'.

For those who are not familiar with the program but continue to search for meaningful spiritual renewal here is an example of a typical weekly program based on Unit II Week II:

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMAN?

Prayer for the Week:

Scripture Prayer

Read one of the following scripture passages. Ask the Lord to give you his Spirit of wisdom and love that you may recognize what helps you to grow, especially in cherishing relationships (with the Trinity and any people you meet this week).

Mark 1:14-15

Mark 12:13-17

Mark 12:28-34

Galatians 5:1,2,13

Philippians 3:7-14

Colossians 2:2-3

WHAT DOES 'BEING HUMAN' MEAN?

We are body-persons. It was unthinkable for the Hebrew to consider being without a body; even after death, we would be transformed into a new spiritual body (I Cor. 15). We express both the good (the wholeness) and the conflict (or disintegration) that are in us in and through our bodies. Rooted in the world, we are present to things and they to us through the senses. So others and all material reality affects us, our inner reality through the body. We belong not just to ourselves but to the world in mutual interdependence. Even our actual freedom depends on the extent to which we will accept each other in love and respect.

Being human means that we are not God. We share the life of the Father, Son and Spirit and can relate intimately with them because of their initiative. Being human means that we have definite gifts and limitations. On the other hand, being human distinguishes us from animals. "Human" implies heart, intelligence, will, conscience, openness to the divine. It means being able to communicate, to be compassionate, wise, humble, caring, responsible, forgiving, interdependent, and trusting. This is far from any definition that limits being human to bursts of temper, theft and competition, addiction of any kind, especially when these are promoted as goals or criteria of acceptance.

So, being human includes being temporal, weak, depending on God and interdependent with others; it involves gradual growth in all aspects. We become more and more human
as we develop our potential, individually and collectively in the Lord. "The glory of God is person fully alive in the image of Jesus" (Irenaeus).

In fact, the Christian reality is that God became a particular man, Jesus of Nazareth, and because of this, Jesus is the criteria for what is human and reputable.

Despite its initial success, this program was never again formally re- introduced by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario. Nor will you find new or similar programs being offered by the aforementioned authorities. Why not? Are such resources not available simply because of a general lack of interest? Or, are some 'religious authorities' not comfortable when laity embark on an independent religious exercise? Have these same authorities ever considered that perhaps their presence can be quite intimidating or uncomfortable at times? Catholics must learn to be able to practise and trust in their faith outside the Church as well as in. Therefore is it not time for the authorities to re-introduce a new spiritual renewal program for adults and 'let their people go?'