posted by Pat Gohn at
8/05/2009
Writing is something I do in between the pages of my real life. The cornerstone of this blog is Jesus Christ who is right in between the Father and the Spirit in heaven. He freely came to earth to lay down his life for us, nailed to a cross, right in between two thieves. He rose again and now forever stands in the gap right in between our sins and our salvation.
I am a Catholic wife and mother of 3 young adults. I write about Catholic subject matter here and on numerous Catholic websites elsewhere. I love sharing my enthusiasm for the riches of our faith in person in parishes, at conferences, or on retreat. I have a Masters in Theology but I remain forever a student at heart, for the more I know, the more I realize I have so much more to know! Come follow my writing and speaking journey and my Among Women podcast both here and at PatGohn.com.
CatholicBlogs.com
Abort73 Graphics / Abort73 Shirts
5 Comments:
Good afternoon,
Through Providence, I came to your site/blog while looking for info on original solitude. The insights you provide, simple and profound, reflect the beauty of John Paul II's Theology of the Body. I thank you for posting a wonderful quote from his last audience. Have you taken Christopher West's Head and Heart Immersion Course?
By
Joni, at 4:17 PM
Indeed, I did take West's course back in Jan. '07. Wonderful stuff! Can't wait to take more next summer perhaps!
By
Pat Gohn, at 4:29 PM
Your writings show that you are "immersed". I took the course in Jan.'08 and my 8-month old son, John Paul, and I going back to Black Rock in 10 days for Dr. Bob Schuchts course on Sexual Healing and Redemption through the Theology of the Body. I have been studying TOB off and on since I heard West in '03. After the course in '08, I felt a call to teach TOB For Teens to our 9th grade CCD students. Our first year was great- all praises to God! I do not feel that I am as immersed as I would like to be, but I am living out the teaching and sharing its truths with others. I read your profile and smiled to see many similarities. I also smiled because you seem to be a more completed version of me in some ways-i.e., I am a college dropout majoring in mass comm with a minor in pr; ;ater, started courses with degree in theology in mind, but put on hold while mothering 5 yr. old and 8 month old; avid Scrabble player, no tourneys, just friendly competition with my mother-in-law; love to write- mostly journal, just not much time anymore; love Franciscan University, Scott Hahn, but never had the priviledge of seeing either. A few differences between us- I'm not a dog person, I live in Louisiana, not a regular blogger- no time. I enjoy Magnificat prayer breakfasts here in Louisiana. My parish priest is the State Chaplain for Magnificat in Louisiana. I have been marrried to my soulmate for almost 9 years. I am 33 years old- 34 on Sept. 5th. So there, you have my profile. There's so much more to me of course, but until we reach eternity, there's not enough time for that! Hee hee.
I do have a question for you. Can you help me to understand original solitude- as that place with man ALONE with God? I am trying to tap into that original experience for myself. Any insights you can give? Thanks.
By
Joni, at 5:21 PM
Joni,
thanks for your sharing.... just keep taking this all to prayer...
The original solitude is the inner core or center of our life with God: a human being is "alone" in the visible world as a person....we are first a solitude, before we are male or female even... Male and female share the same nature... the same humanity... yet our male and femaleness moves us toward community, toward relationships. In our solitude, we ask the fundamental question: WHO AM I? It is the search for one's identity... and one discovers that one is a person, a "self"...
In the beginnning, Adam lived alone with God... being made in the image of God, he is capable of self-knowledge, self-possession, and freedom... freedom to enter into relationship with God and others.
TOB 6:2 "In his solitude, man is set into a unique, exclusive and unrepeatable relationship with God himself."
In other words, the purpose of man's individual freedom is to enter into communion with God (and later, with another.)
Hope that helps.
By
Pat Gohn, at 9:12 AM
Thanks for your response. You have put it simply and effectively. I will reflect on this.
Blessings,
Joni
By
Joni, at 11:44 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home