See in 3D By Renewing Your Mind - 22nd Sun of Ordinary Time - Episode 41

08/25/20 • 40 min

Overall Takeaway

It’s so easy to forget to try to see the events of our lives from God’s perspective instead of our own. We want to be in control, and instead of looking with eyes of faith at our personal crosses, we tend to get angry, sad and disappointed in what appears to be an injustice, suffering, or other wrongdoing on God’s part.

Key Verses from Sunday Readings

“You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped;

you were too strong for me, and you triumphed.

All the day I am an object of laughter;

everyone mocks me.”

“But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart,

imprisoned in my bones;

I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.”

“Do not conform yourselves to this age

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

that you may discern what is the will of God,

what is good and pleasing and perfect.”

“‘God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.’

He turned and said to Peter,

‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.

You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.’”

Where Catholicism Meets Psychology

Just as Jeremiah has an “I’ve had it with you, God!” reaction in the first reading this week, how often do we feel that way about God? Yet, Jeremiah has this solid relationship with God, which is like “fire in his heart” giving him strength to see God’s providence.

Just a few verses before this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus calls Peter His rock, establishing him as the vicar of Christ. Yet, just moments later, Jesus is rebuking Peter. In this week’s Gospel, Peter is seeing Jesus’ upcoming crucifixion only in two dimensions -- only through human eyes. With no crucifixion, there is no redemption. That’s the third dimension; that’s what God sees.

We need to transform our minds to discern God’s will. We can’t understand all the events of our lives, especially the difficulties and sufferings with human reason alone.

We need to renew our minds, addressing the psychological factors that get in the way of seeing in that third dimension, of seeing God’s perspective and His providential love.

“Lord, that I may see!” We need to ask for God’s help and make an effort to see God’s providence. We need to listen, be small, trust in God -- and appreciate how difficult that is for us as fallen humans.

Action Item

Get in the habit of trying to see God’s perspective. Take three sheets of paper and some quiet time and space. Think of something that’s troubling you. It can be something small that just happened or something more long-standing.

On the first sheet of paper, simply write down what comes to mind about that situation.

Pray that the Lord will help you see His perspective, ask to be enlightened. On the second sheet of paper, write down your perceptions and thoughts again.

On the third sheet of paper, try to let God write it down. Ask Him how He sees the situation. If you have trouble with this step, reflect on why and bring that to prayer. For example, “Lord, I’m having trouble hearing you because I’m feeling so angry, hopeless, depressed, anxious, etc.”

Overall Takeaway

Key Verses from Sunday Readings

“You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped;

you were too strong for me, and you triumphed.

All the day I am an object of laughter;

everyone mocks me.”

“But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart,

imprisoned in my bones;

I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.”

“Do not conform yourselves to this age

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

that you may discern what is the will of God,

what is good and pleasing and perfect.”

“‘God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.’

He turned and said to Peter,

‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.

You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.’”

Where Catholicism Meets Psychology

We need to transform our minds to discern God’s will. We can’t understand all the events of our lives, especially the difficulties and sufferings with human reason alone.

We need to renew our minds, addressing the psychological factors that get in the way of seeing in that third dimension, of seeing God’s perspective and His providential love.

Action Item

On the first sheet of paper, simply write down what comes to mind about that situation.

Pray that the Lord will help you see His perspective, ask to be enlightened. On the second sheet of paper, write down your perceptions and thoughts again.

Previous Episode

Being Lost and How To Be Found - 21st Sun of Ordinary Time - Episode 40

Overall Takeaway

As human beings, we learn who we are in relationship to others. Because of our sin and the sin of others, this often results in an inaccurate picture of who we really are. We usually don’t see ourselves as God sees us, which often results in feeling “lost”. Learn how to begin to change that--and how we can allow Christ to “find” us.

Key Verses from Sunday Readings

“On that day I will summon my servant

Eliakim, son of Hilkiah;

I will clothe him with your robe,

and gird him with your sash,

and give over to him your authority.”

“For who has known the mind of the Lord

or who has been his counselor?

Or who has given the Lord anything

that he may be repaid?”

“And so I say to you, you are Peter,

and upon this rock I will build my church,

and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”

Where Catholicism Meets Psychology

We learn who we are in relationship to others. When we grow up in dysfunctional families, this often leads to a lack of affirmation. We cannot see ourselves as beloved children of God if those around us do not treat us as such.

Even the best of parents and teachers, in the human fallen state, cannot help us develop a true sense of how valuable and loved we are by God. There will always be distortions.

Think of how many of us “know about” Jesus -- but how many of us really “know” Jesus?

Jesus constantly selects people who are flawed and imperfect during His time on earth to help show them who they are in His eyes. We are the work of His hands--we are works of art.

We need to learn to be found by God by loving ourselves, and we do that by bring ourselves into relationship with Our Lord and Our Lady.

Action Item

Take some time this week to participate in an experiential exercise led by Dr. Gerry. He helps us imagine ourselves being called by name at the River Jordan by Jesus. Bring your experiences, feelings and thoughts from this exercise into your prayer life this week.

Next Episode

Three Principles of Exercising Real Love - 23rd Sun of Ord Time - Episode 42

Overall Takeaway

We need to embrace three basic principles, as well as overcome the common psychological barriers to these principles, in order to exercise real love to one another. Learn this week about how to overcome avoidance, isolation and resentment--and how doing so helps us love more fully and completely.

Key Verses of Sunday Mass Readings

“You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel;
when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me.
If I tell the wicked, ‘O wicked one, you shall surely die,’
and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way,
the wicked shall die for his guilt,
but I will hold you responsible for his death.”

“Brothers and sisters:
Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another;
for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

“Again, amen, I say to you,
if two of you agree on earth
about anything for which they are to pray,
it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.”

Where Psychology Meets Catholicism

Here are the three principles and the common psychological barriers that prevent us from achieving them:

Principle One: Don’t try to escape the pain. Although it’s human nature to try to stop pain and suffering, we are called as followers of Christ to approach suffering differently. The typical psychological barrier is avoidance, whether that be addiction, binging on food or videos, or simply not addressing the issue. Instead, try to bring that pain to God, ask for His will and understanding. Try to see God’s providence, but accept the fact that we may not be able to understand. Instead, we may need to rely on faith.

Principle Two: Don’t do it alone. Whatever the pain, come together with loved ones in prayer or ask for help. Address conflict, and find ways to accept the love and support of others. The psychological barrier to this principle is isolation. Although it’s good to take time to pray and reflect, don’t sink into stonewalling, resentment and harboring of anger.

Principle Three: Destroy your enemies with love. It’s easy for us to brood about someone’s mistreatment or wrongdoing, but this can have a negative effect on us more than the other person. The psychological barrier here is getting locked into negativity. For example, if we’re so worried about someone stealing from us that we can no longer be generous. Instead, try to remain detached and recollected.

One thing to keep in mind is that every person is at a different development point psychologically. It’s important to think about what is available in your arsenal of responses. In some cases, it may be best to walk away. Understand that this is a dynamic process. Work toward these principles while also being humble enough to know your limitations.

Action Item

Choose someone you’re having a conflict with, and try to put these principles into action to make a true act of love this week.