SOLACE: Soul + Grief
YOUR PERSONAL, IN-HOUSE CHAPLAIN.
This podcast is sponsored by SOULPLUSGRACE serving the San José area, offering grief support and grief journeying with spirituality. I hope to help you travel through grief with God at your side. I am a Jesuit-trained-and-inspired spiritual companion to the dying and their families, survivors, friends and caretakers.
"I am a trained Spiritual Director for those who seek to complete the 19th Annotation of St. Igantius’ spiritual exercises. I have also worked as a hospital/cemetery chaplain and grief doula. I believe all paths lead to God and that all traditions are due respect and honour. I take my sacred inspiration from all of my patients and companions–past, present and future; the Dalai Lama, James Tissot, St. John of the Cross, the Buddha, Saint Teresa of Ávila, and, of course, Íñigo who became known as St. Ignatius. I utilize art, poetry, music, aromatherapy, yoga, lectio divina, prayer and meditation in my self-work and work with others. I believe in creating a sacred space for listening; even in the most incongruous of surroundings."
BACKGROUND
Jesuit Retreat Center, Los Altos, CA -- Pierre Favre Program, 3 year training to give the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius/Centro de Espiritualidad de Loyola, Spain -- The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola -- 30 Day Silent Retreat/Center for Loss & Life Transition – Comprehensive Bereavement Skills Training (30 hrs) Ft. Collins, CO/California State University Institute for Palliative Care--Palliative Care Chaplaincy Specialty Cert. (90 hrs)/Sequoia Hospital, Redwood City, CA -- Clinical Pastoral Education/19th Annotation with Fumiaki Tosu, San Jose, CA, Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius/Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA M.A. – Pastoral Ministries
CONTACT ME: candeelucas@soulplusgrace.com with questions to be answered in future episodes.
SOLACE: Soul + Grief
Connecting Hearts Beyond the Veil
What if embracing your deepest fears could lead you to a path of peace and love? Today, we'll delve into the depths of Ignatian spirituality, focusing on the challenging concept of desolation in prayer during times of mourning. Drawing inspiration from the lives and teachings of Mother Teresa and St. Ignatius, we uncover the transformative power of surrendering to God's will, even in our most vulnerable moments.
Reflect on how fear intricately weaves itself into the fabric of grief, shaping our perception of the future, identity, and relationships. Inspired by biblical narratives and Mark Thibodeaux's compelling book, "God's Voice Within," consider the barriers fear creates in fulfilling God's plan for us.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE
You can reach us at: candeelucas@soulplusgrace.com to arrange personal spiritual direction.
Music and sound effects today by: via Pixabay: Onetent
We welcome you to Solace: S oul + Grief. I'm glad you're here. I'm Candee Lucas, a Jesuit-trained Catholic chaplain and spiritual director, and I've been involved with a bereavement ministry since 2009. We know that loss can make profound changes in people's lives. We understand how difficult it is to travel this path of grief and how important and monumental the loss of a loved one can be. So we created this podcast to help you walk with God as you grieve your losses, understand what's happening in your heart and soul as you grieve, to be available in the best way we can to accompany you on this journey, way we can to accompany you on this journey. You're always welcome in this circle of healing, love and support. Ignatian spirituality talks about the concept of desolation in prayer, and it might seem typical that desolation in prayer while grieving might go hand in hand. On the other hand, if we can sit in a moment of prayer with our hearts open to God, we can come to understand that that prayer time, although it may seem dry and desolate, is quite fertile. We should remember that every day you have to say yes, total surrender to God to be where he wants you to be. If God wants you to be in a palace all right except to be in the palace." This is a quote from Mother Teresa, saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of your presence, your love and your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for living close to you, we shall see your hand, your purpose, your will through all things. That's a quote from St Ignatius himself.
Candee:A thorough reading of the Gospels would reveal that perhaps the most persistent command from God is not about violence or lack of religious practice, but rather about not being afraid. In the Nativity stories of Matthew and Luke, it is staggering how many people are told not to be afraid, practically every character in the story. Mary is told do not be afraid. In Luke, Joseph is told do not be afraid. In Matthew, Zacharias is told do not be afraid. In Luke, Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaims that God is visiting his people so that we may serve him without fear. The shepherds are told do not be afraid. In each of these cases, it seems that fear is the biggest obstacle to these good peoples carrying out God's will. In fact, no other obstacle is mentioned. All this is in the first two chapters of the Gospels.
Candee:Throughout the Gospels we see the effects of fear. Fear keeps Herod from rejoicing in the newborn Savior. Fear keeps Nicodemus from following Christ in the light of day. Fear keeps the Pharisees from dealing straightforwardly with Jesus. Fear keeps the disciples from recognizing Jesus walking on water. Fear keeps Peter from walking on water. Fear leads the apostles to abandon Jesus when he is arrested. Fear keeps Peter from admitting his friendship and kinship with Jesus. And fear keeps the women at the empty tomb from proclaiming Jesus has risen.
Candee:When fear is in our hearts, chances are we are not focused on what God is saying to us. These comments come from a book called "God's Voice Within by the Jesuit priest Mark Thibodeau. At first light, fear does not seem to be a salient feature of our grief, but if we examine it closer, we become aware that the warp and woof of the fabric of grief is shot through with fear. Fear of the future, now that our loved one is gone. It may be economic or social. It may be familial, in that a loved one's death will affect family relationships. It may be, as it relates to our own self-identity. What are we without this person whom we loved so dearly? Or how have we changed now that this person is no longer in our lives? It is all tainted with fear. It is all tainted with fear. So in our prayer today, let's sit with God, sit next to Jesus in that garden where we wait for him and ask him to turn those threads of fear into threads of gold, for they bind us together. They bind us to the love of our missing, they bind us to God, they bind us to the heart of Jesus and they bind us together, amen.
Candee:That concludes another episode. A new one, drops every friday. Please join us on Spotify, Amazon Music or Apple. Thank you for joining us. Spiritual direction is always available. See my contact email in the show notes. This is Candee Lucas, your host, chaplain and spiritual director. Go with God. Namaste. Vaya con Dios.
