I often write about the ways we hear the voice of God. Recently, I remembered that I had been taught fours ways to hear the voice of God by Dennis Hamm: in creation, scripture, the authoritative teaching of the church and, by attending to our experiences.
I want to argue a bit with Dennis. First, because I believe that we are each created beings and thus a part of creation. So, I think we would do well to talk about creation with the understanding that we speak as members of the created world and, I believe, simultaneously as spiritual beings.
Secondly, everything is interpreted. You and I may be standing together on the edge of a cliff, encountering more of the created world. Imagine that the sky is blue, the air cool and calm, the view magnificent. Yet, I may feel so exposed that I am terrified. You may be so comfortable that you begin to wander in your concentration to a memory.
Our experiences are different. Maybe not as different as I have suggested they could be, but nevertheless, are different.
The same is true of our encounter with scripture and tradition. We are interpreters of what we see, hear, taste, feel and smell. Our ability to make sense of the world is grounded in what we have and can experience with our five physical senses along with all the gifts of the right brain. Acknowledging this fact can help us understand and respect the other's subjectivity. For we, too, are limited.
On January 22, I referenced Dennis Hamm's encouragement in self-reflection as he described the Ignatian examen in my blog.
I want to argue a bit with Dennis. First, because I believe that we are each created beings and thus a part of creation. So, I think we would do well to talk about creation with the understanding that we speak as members of the created world and, I believe, simultaneously as spiritual beings.
Secondly, everything is interpreted. You and I may be standing together on the edge of a cliff, encountering more of the created world. Imagine that the sky is blue, the air cool and calm, the view magnificent. Yet, I may feel so exposed that I am terrified. You may be so comfortable that you begin to wander in your concentration to a memory.
Our experiences are different. Maybe not as different as I have suggested they could be, but nevertheless, are different.
The same is true of our encounter with scripture and tradition. We are interpreters of what we see, hear, taste, feel and smell. Our ability to make sense of the world is grounded in what we have and can experience with our five physical senses along with all the gifts of the right brain. Acknowledging this fact can help us understand and respect the other's subjectivity. For we, too, are limited.
On January 22, I referenced Dennis Hamm's encouragement in self-reflection as he described the Ignatian examen in my blog.
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