10 Trinity Sq
Toronto, ON
M5G 1B1
416-598-4521
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Wed. 12:15 pm
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reflections and sermons posted here are the work of individual members of Holy Trinity. Opinions expressed are those of the writer or preacher and do not necessarily reflect an official or even popular opinion within the parish.
Looking for the Holy in Life
SARA BOYLES
Sunday night I went to a prayer service in Centre de Formation in Montreal. Several guys, many volunteers and two young people in a Diocese of Montreal discernment program were in attendance. The "subject of the night" was The Holy Spirit. I have to admit, I didn't feel inspired or totally engaged. I came alive though as the evening took on the tone of an intense AA meeting and various participants got up to talk about the spirit in their lives. It was nearly count time when the visitors left and the men returned to their living units.
I thought a great deal about my encounter with those men and their stories as the multi-faith committee wrestled with the meaning of chaplaincy in federal prisons. How do we speak the language of soul in a world that would turn spirit into a commodity to be sold and traded?
These men were looking for tools that would enable them to live "better" lives. Two were being released on parole in the coming week. Anxious, neither of them had slept for four nights. Some others had been returned to prison for parole violations. They were wondering about their next release. Would they manage to stay out? Had they really kicked their addictive patterns or would the merry go round begin again the minute they were released?
The commonality between us though, those of us who could walk out on Sunday night and those who stayed, far outweighed our differences. All of us were looking for the holy in our lives. We all were looking for effective ways to talk about that hope in us and to act out the hope in us. We all knew we held more power and wisdom than we could release. Native, Muslim and Christian we were there to be inspired and transformed. We looked to the community to support our journeys more than many looked to traditional church structure and organization.
Pray for core communities and people in them, pray for a structure in which the Holy Spirit of God is allowed to soar and fly. Live into your holiness all week.
Sara November 30, 1999 |
