I Want to be a RADICAL Spiritual Director!
I seek to be a person of RADICAL LOVE.
The phrase RADICAL LOVE is an Oxymoron, contradictory terms, that do not seem to go together. This radical love is seen in many words of Jesus Christ. He states, in Luke, “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” What! If someone curse you, you are to bless them or pray for those who spitefully use you? Come on now, is this real! Isn’t it okay, to get back at people that curse you or/and spitefully use you?
Jesus made it noticeably clear that this Radical Love was to look different than the world’s expectation of love. In Matthew chapter five he says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also, if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; lastly, I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
The ultimate sign of radical love is Jesus forgiving those who crucified him with these words, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34.
We use the word love frequently, often meaning if you love me, I love you. Being a person of radical love involves unselfish service to others. I want to love selflessly, and I want to love radically like Jesus.
As I meditate on this love of Jesus to love others how do I respond.
Reflection questions:
- What’s one way Jesus’ radical love has changed me?
- How is Jesus’ love moving me to show radical love to others?
- What is one way my love for others can point them back to Jesus?
Written by Rev. Ella DeDeaux, Board of Directors of FUMSDRL/Hearts on Fire
Save the Date
Recalibration LIVE!
Saturday, July 17 1:00 – 3:00 pm (ET)
Contemplative Photography featuring Ingrid Cyros
Has there ever been a time when photography (or photographed occurrence), held such impact, as now? This powerful art form offers a means to encapsulate and explore the depths of experience, and as such, is an evocative tool in spiritual direction.
Come and explore the art of photography as a spiritual practice, on Saturday July 17th from 1:00pm – 3:00pm, with Ingrid Cyros. Ingrid will lead this workshop to introduce the practice of integrating photos, sacred text, and journal writing to engage spiritual companions in these expressive arts.
Contemplative Photography is a spiritual practice to cultivate the ability to search and see below the surface of things. The sharing of a photo can serve as an invitation and a starting place for conversation with a companion / directee. Additionally, a shared image may be used as a guided meditation, or centering practice. Noticing what attracts one’s attention can tell us a great deal about what’s stirring in one’s soul, and it can serve as a focal point for making sense out of experience. As one workshop participant stated, “It is a way to experience life through another’s experience. There is a lot of revelation in the sharing.”
This workshop will be experiential and instructive, with take away resources and exercises to incorporate into one-on-one companioning, or a workshop.
Ingrid Cyros (M.Div.) is a Rolling Ridge trained spiritual director and retreat facilitator, and life-long artist whose passion is to explore the relationship between creativity and spirituality. “A deep initiation into grief led to profound discovery, through the lens of my father’s parting gift- his Nikon. I developed a daily practice of taking pictures and writing, which continues to inspire me to see the sacred through the searching.”
Ingrid earned a M.Div. and Certif. in Spiritual and Pastoral Care, at Andover Newton Theological School; a Certif. Spiritual Care Specialist (AAPC). She lives with her husband in Newburyport, where they raised their two adult children.
Registration Coming Soon!