Catholica Commentary by Fr Peter Dresser: God is Big .... Real BIG! (Chapter 10: Ourselves at Prayer Part 1)

"God is Big ..... Real BIG!" by Fr Peter Dresser (Chapter Ten - Part 1)

Today we begin the final chapter of the serialisation of Fr Peter Dresser's book searching for "a theology for the New Millennium". The theme of this chapter is the place of prayer in our lives today. What he writes today dovetails beautifully with Vince Exley's reflection yesterday [LINK] mapping the massive changes in our understanding of our place in the cosmos since Sacred Scripture was first written down. What relevance does Jesus have in this new world so much dominated by scientific insights and new technologies?

Chapter Ten (Part 1): Ourselves and Prayer

An anthropocentric universe?

There would appear to be some significant problem areas between our established religion, its beliefs and practices, and a modern appropriation of science and contemporary cosmology. We humans, in much the same way as our Christian religion still maintains, have seemingly always regarded ourselves as the centre of the universe. This idea has its beginnings in ancient cosmologies and older theologies that saw the earth as the centre of the Universe and the human person as the apple of God's eye. We are now confronted with the fact that our galaxy is but one of billions of galaxies and although it cannot be scientifically proven that human or at least sentient life exists in other places of the cosmos, scientists state that it is highly unlikely that it does not! There are conditions — environmental, elemental, gaseous and so on — that are similar and indeed in many ways identical to conditions found on planet earth. So we are certainly not the centre of the universe as many of us would still like to fancy. But we are still the most extraordinarily developed beings that we know of. We are self-reflecting bits of stardust; we are the universe capable of reflecting upon itself. And that is miraculous. And that is where awe and reverence and wonder come in. And that is where prayer comes in.

It seems almost a necessity for a wholesome existence that we should try to remain at one and at peace with the Spirit of the Universe, with the World Soul, with our God and with everything and everyone that make up the cosmos. This does not mean that in searching for harmonious co-existence that we would lose our identity. Just the contrary. Our personal identity is a tiny but nevertheless significant factor, a contributory factor to the vastness and splendour and variety of the universe and that is why we are individually important — and important as we are, as individuals with differences that span just about every facet of life — physical, sexual, spiritual, emotional and so on. We are all called to blend with each other and with our God to create a beautiful mosaic. This is an awesome thought but it will finally come to complete fruition whether we hold back or not. Therefore can I suggest that the basis of our spirituality in the circumstances that we find ourselves in should be one of attempting in whatever ways we can to achieve this oneness, this harmony, this peace within ourselves, with each other, with the universe and so ultimately with our God. Incidentally the word spirituality refers to our relationship with our God, and how and where we encounter God during our ordinary lived daily experiences.

The "spirituality" of Jesus...

Could this have been at the heart of the spirituality of the man Jesus? It could very well have been. Even with his Jewish mindset that visualised God in heaven somewhere, Jesus seemed to appreciate an incarnational presence of God's spirit in the world and certainly came to experience this freeing and liberating and healing God in his own life and gave expression to this same spirit in the lives of others. He spent long periods of time in a close prayerful union with this God, by himself and long before dawn as we read in the Gospels. His parables invariably used scenes from nature and he had a strong sense of God's presence in others and he saw that the healing power of this Being needed reinforcing in the lives of the weak and the sick and the sinner and so on. And he himself was able to give expression generously and compassionately and beautifully to those characteristics that he came to experience in the God that he came to love. It is a God that provides that nurtures and enriches. It is a God, therefore, that we rely upon to give us strength and courage and hope and optimism in all the order and chaos of our lives just as this God assisted and gave encouragement and hope to the man Jesus in all the order and chaos of his life.

In coming into contact with this God, we automatically come into contact with everyone who has ever lived and died and with all of creation. The corollary must also be true. We come into closer contact with God when we consciously unite ourselves with other people and with the rest of creation because God's presence is part of everything that is, as well as extending beyond it. We are continually surrounded by, and one with, the presence of all who have ever lived and who continue to melt even more fully into this God. We are assisted and encouraged by their continued presence with us — and their dynamic presence with us. They must surely be able to help us and occasionally to buoy us up and may also have an impact on the organisation and randomness of the cosmos. I still have more than a niggling problem with anyone interfering with the randomness of evolution because that indicates a contradiction. You cannot have randomness being controlled. There are certain aspects of our social and cultural lives, however, that can be controlled in some way. There is such a thing as free will. As I write this on the eve of the commencement of the Higher School Certificate Examinations, I am conscious that those students who have studied well will stand in better stead than those who have not done the required work. Moreover most students have generally been helped and encouraged by their teachers and their parents and concerned other people. I also suggest that the presence of other significant people in their lives, people who have died and have become even more connected with everything that is, can also be of assistance to them. Indeed all of us can be assisted in so many of the tasks we undertake in life by significant others, be they alive or dead. So let us seek help and assistance from the presence of those around us and intimately connected with us and with our God. Certainly this idea of being connected with each other and with our God is at the very heart of the Christian understanding of the Communion of Saints. Saints of God, pray for us! Saints of God, come to our aid!

The problem of a personalised God...

The personalising of this God creates some problems and not only for scientists such as Paul Davies and others. We know that Jesus experienced this God in a personal way and called him Father. If we appreciate the creative spirit in the universe and the nurturing and enriching spirit, then it becomes easier for us to personalise this spirit as father or mother or whatever. The Psalmist sees God as the personal force behind nature and the actions of mankind. Such a view of God was common in the Old Testament. Indeed at times God is seen as a vengeful God such as in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah; an angry and petulant God as in the punishment of Adam and Eve where he throws the greatest tantrum of all time; a saving, liberating and freeing God as shown in his leading his chosen people from Egypt to a land flowing with milk and honey; a kindly, gentle and caring God as is depicted in some of the more beautiful passages in Hosea. The Psalms therefore address God in various ways, in terms of praise, of meekness, of jubilation, of distress, of questioning, of hope and so on. Many contemporary writers see prayer and spirituality as very much creation based and would want our religion to enhance this experience. But here we have a problem. Is our religion enhancing or hindering our experience of God? Is our religion properly nourishing our spirituality?

NEXT WEEK: Chapter Ten Part 2: "Ourselves at Prayer"

“Can I suggest that the basis of our spirituality in the circumstances that we find ourselves in should be one of attempting in whatever ways we can to achieve this oneness, this harmony, this peace within ourselves, with each other, with the universe and so ultimately with our God.” ...Peter Dresser

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Peter Dresser grew up in Orange NSW. On completing his Leaving Certificate he studied for some years at Springwood and Manly Seminaries. His life journey has led him down diverse paths and he enjoyed the experience of many and varied employments including postman, public servant and factory worker. He has appreciated his exposure to different life styles and religions and his involvement with music and sport, particularly Rugby League. He eventually turned to teaching where he found an easy rapport with and respect for young people. Peter decided to continue with his studies for Priesthood and entered St. Paul’s Seminary. He was ordained in 1990. Peter's love for his Catholic religion dates from his very early years. His involvement with Science is only a recent phenomenon. His fascination with nature has always been predominant. His continuing pastoral concern is that the Good News proclaimed by Jesus be preached and mediated meaningfully in all its richness and fullness to the contemporary world. Peter holds degrees in Arts and Theology and a Diploma in Education. He produced this document in 2004 whilst Parish Priest of Kandos in Central West NSW. He now lives privately in retirement at Kandos where he spent six memorable years.

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