Enjoy today's meditation from Richard Rohr on healing. 🙌
July 2, 2024
Hello John,
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Today’s saint, Oliver Plunkett, exemplifies resilience, faith, and sacrifice. His story sheds light on a dark period of Irish and English history. From his early life to his ultimate martyrdom, the tale of Oliver Plunkett is both compelling and inspiring.
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The name of today’s saint is especially familiar to the Irish and the English—and with good reason. The English martyred Oliver Plunkett for defending the faith in his native Ireland during a period of severe persecution.
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Born in County Meath in 1629, Oliver studied for the priesthood in Rome and was ordained there in 1654. After some years of teaching and service to the poor of Rome he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh in Ireland. Four years later, in 1673, a new wave of anti-Catholic persecution began, forcing Archbishop Plunkett to do his pastoral work in secrecy and disguise and to live in hiding. Meanwhile, many of his priests were sent into exile, schools were closed, Church services had to be held in secret, and convents and seminaries were suppressed. As archbishop, Plunkett was viewed as ultimately responsible for any rebellion or political activity among his parishioners.
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Archbishop Plunkett was arrested and imprisoned in Dublin Castle in 1679, but his trial was moved to London. After deliberating for 15 minutes, a jury found him guilty of fomenting revolt. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered in July 1681. Pope Paul VI canonized Oliver Plunkett in 1975.
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Reflection
Stories like that of Oliver Plunkett seem to fit history. “Things like that don’t happen today” is often our thought. But they do. False accusations, prejudice, anti-Catholic sentiments, racism, sexism, etc. are still an active reality in our day. Perhaps a prayer to Saint Oliver for peace and justice might be appropriate.
To finally surrender ourselves to healing, we have to have three spaces opened up within us—and all at the same time: our opinionated head, our closed-down heart, and our defensive and defended body. That is the work of spirituality—and it is work. Yes, it is finally the work of “a Power greater than ourselves,” and it will lead to great luminosity and depth of seeing.
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Where do you instinctively make decisions—your head, heart, or gut? Which do you consider the most trustworthy? Which do you most distrust? Imagine a dialogue with one of these three areas of your being. What would it tell you about your need to be more open?
Ilia Delio, OSF, shows how the Franciscan way can offer all Christians an intimate and wholehearted approach to prayer. Franciscan Prayer: Awakening to Oneness with God
Our lives are made so much richer by the saints; they reinforce the beauty of the Gospels. Today, see what comes to your mind and heart after reading these exquisite words of St. Teresa of Avila: “Let nothing disturb you, nothing distress you. All things fade away; God is unchanging.”
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Pray
God, thank you for these precious words from St. Teresa. I will carry these words inside my heart all day, and remember them before fears have a chance to arise. What a relief to let go and accept: all of life is in flux. But you, God, are steadfast. How I long to live with more faith today then I had yesterday. With these words within me, I begin again— with a renewed heart opening to fresh possibilities.
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Act
Is there someone in your life who might really appreciate hearing St. Teresa’s words? Text it to them with love.
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Today's Pause+Pray was written by Maureen O'Brien. Learn more here!
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