FROM THE SEPTEMBER EDITION OF THE WHITEWATER FRIEND
Contributed by Doug Gwyn - Pastor

The Sacrament of the Present Moment

Recently, Mary Elizabeth Long recommended a book to me, The Sacrament of the Present Moment, written by a Jesuit priest, Jean-Pierre de Caussade, in the early 1700s. I've been enjoying reading a little of it each morning, as a way into my prayer time and looking forward to the day ahead. It's a good reminder that the most important thing is simply to 'be here now', to live with the expectation that each moment can become a sacrament of being with God and doing God's will.

That's not always easy to maintain in our minds! Things come up that seem like bothersome obstacles or distractions from what we planned to do, or what we think God wants us to do. But de Caussade urges us to be open to the possibility that each situation is an opportunity to know God and do God's will. Either the situation has been placed before us by God, or God is in the situation with us, trying to help work it toward something good. So it's not that God is causing everything to happen, even bad things. Sometimes people around us are acting carelessly, or with bad intent. It's troubling to confront both their actions and their intentions -- and to decide how to respond. But, recalling that God is there with us, ready to work it to some good end, it becomes easier to see the possibilities for positive, creative response. That makes room for God's Spirit to inspire and guide us. Then we are less likely to get tangled up in other people's negativity, and more likely to respond cleanly, decisively, graciously.

Living the present moment as a sacrament is our opportunity to be in constant communion with God. No one does it perfectly. But we can move more consistently, faithfully, hopefully in that direction simply by being tuned into the very possibility of the sacrament of the present moment.

Doug Gwyn

Wednesday Noon-Time Discussion Group

Doug Gwyn will lead a Wednesday noon-hour discussion group for interested people, starting September 22. We will meet regularly on Wednesdays (except first Wednesdays, which are the regular time for all-Quaker luncheons at Quaker Hill). Bring a sandwich, if you wish! We will discuss The Sacrament of the Present Moment by Jean-Pierre de Caussade (see Doug's piece on page one). If you are interested in participating, order a copy of the book (price) through Wayne Copenhaver in the meeting office.