To Live Out What I Am

During a study day reading the texts of three Medieval Beguines, I was impressed with the writings of Hadewijch of Antwerp. Her passion was to pursue Love - to "live out what I am." This love was joy, but it also contained suffering from being absent from, yet seeking, Love... which knows God most deeply in Wisdom.

This writing disrupts the hierarchical dualities of the values of her time.

It searches for another way, in a little known spirituality, to escape boundaries imposed by some Church authorities at the time. This mystical voice of protest is phrased in this way by Dorothea Soelle in her work, "The Silent Cry:"

 

Now in acting as what I am, I find delight that gives me love and new ascent. It weighs me down that I cannot obtain Knowledge of Love without renouncing myself.

 

~ Bonnie Odiorne, Associate of Wisdom

Labor Day

Americans celebrate Labor Day every first Monday of September. This holiday celebrates the efforts of workers with most workers and students getting the day off.

A machinist named Matthew Maguire, secretary of the New York Central Labor Union, proposed a Labor Day holiday in 1882. Some believe it was actually Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor that proposed the holiday that same year. It became a federal holiday in 1894, but 30 states had already recognized the holiday individually.

The holiday tradition is also owed to the Knights of Labor, who held a large labor themed parade in 1882. Other labor associations continued to make Labor Day celebrations popular.

Many observers relax at home or head to outdoor recreational activities, such as boating, barbecues, and camping. It is a day to celebrate the end of summer, as many schoolchildren start school after Labor Day. It may also be marked with firework shows and other patriotic events.

Parades are the most common mode of celebration, which often feature processions of labor groups. One of the larger parades is held in Brooklyn.  The parade boasts up to three million participants from a variety of ethnic groups.

Portrait of Jesus at Six A.M.

Portrait of Jesus at Six A.M.

This morning I woke up with a brush in my hand, determined to deconstruct the image of a mono-toned man who only reflects one side of salvation.

The hieroglyphics of hierarchy have bleached your blemishes

With despotism and domination since before I was conceived

But this morning, it will change.

This morning, the silenced voices of my own ancestors will dance

Through the hues of your hair.

This morning, the persecuted presence of lost populations

Will thrive through the tones of your countenance.

This morning, the cries of the Cherokee Will ring through the satin of your garb, And the voices of bigotry Will be silenced through the shading of every lost seeker.

This morning, the beauty of night and noir and noise will eradicate all limitations of my salvation and my canvas will capture the beauty of each color in the world.

This time, the truth and hope and glory found in the every drop of dew and in every morsel of majesty will come alive on this easel.

This time, the splendor of my savior will seep into sources it has never seen because the brush I use has been erected by the fingers of fluid faith.

This time, I will paint your face the color of water, Your skin the hue of a night sky, Your body reflective of each person who has ever seen beauty in the moon.

 

~ Kaeley J. McEvoy
 

Poem used with permission of author. She is a senior majoring in Religious Studies at Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA. Image of "Jesus of the People" used with permission of artist Janet McKenzie - www.janetmckenzie.com

 

Beguines Continue to Inspire

Maria Roja, Associate of Wisdom

Participating in Dr. Elizabeth Dreyer's session on "The Beguines: In Their Own Words" on July 27 at Wisdom House was an enlightening experience.

Our group engaged in a Close Reading of selected texts from three 13th century Beguines (laywomen/mystics):  Mechthild of Magdeburg, Hadewijch of Brabant, and Marguerite Porete. 

This was a first such experience for me... wherein we slowly read the selections, shared our impressions of their writings, and attempted to discern the meaning beyond the words. This was no easy task given their creative writing styles, unique language, and the highly oppressive cultural limitations imposed upon them... plus the challenge of putting ourselves aside in the process. Under Dr. Dreyer's expert guidance and facilitation, the experience was fun, energizing and most enlightening.

I found myself intrigued by and drawn to the writings of Marguerite Porete, who, according to Dr. Dreyer, was the most radical of the three authors. I admired her courage, self-confidence, and the depth of her mysticism and inner authority.  Her writings stretched and challenged me towards growth beyond where I'm at now. She was a "free" spirit and her love for and commitment to God was unquestionably total and she wanted to share that with others

Marguerite wrote in one section of her book about the "freeness of charity." She wrote, "... at this stage of spiritual growth one is unencumbered from all things."  Many of us strive for this!



For more information about Marguerite Porete, see "Marguerite Porete, The Mirror of Simple Souls,"  Paulist Press series, " Classics of Western Spirituality."



For information about the Associates of Wisdom, contact Maria Roja at info@wisdomhouse.org.

 

 

Out of Control

Author and poet Rabbi Rami Shapiro presented a weekend program at Wisdom House in mid-July based on his book, "Recovery: The Sacred Art."

Participants explored the various ways we succumb to playing God and, therefore, prevent the cycle of control from being broken so that we can move into a fuller life. Rabbi Shapiro led the group in various chants and interspersed teaching and storytelling with great humor. Visit www.rabbirami.com.