THE LIBERAL CATHOLIC PORTAL TO THE FUTURE
NO ONE can argue that the world is changing. The old ideals and mores of the last century are frequently questioned and often brushed to one side as being outdated. We actively live in changing times.
To some, it must seem odd that today’s change and turmoil, were predicted by ancient Teaching in the truth of the advancing times of the Zodiac. A steady progression which highlights the slow but irrevocable advance and blossoming of mans move forward into the New Age of Aquarius; the gradual pouring out for all of the once esoteric and arcane mysteries of life and science so long hidden in the jar of secrecy. It is this pouring out for all, this gift of knowledge, growth and understanding, that is the work of the Holy Spirit in the world.
It is useful to note that this Sign of the Zodiac is often depicted (correctly) by the flowing water jar being carried by a woman.
This symbol leads naturally into a consideration of the important and vital work in today’s world of a forward looking Church. A door is opening for Liberal Catholics. With our background teaching we are well placed to lead the way forward into this ‘Brave New World’ -- to use Aldous Huxley’s book title -- to grasp and promote the true meaning of the New Age that is humanities heritage.
Let us review the current situation. We see before us mans restless quest for knowledge, the tremendous advances made in science, the dissatisfaction with the past, with wars, the bad behaviour of some young people, the dramatic changes and upheaval of the worlds climate; all point to a fresh beginning, to change – the sweeping away of old forms to reveal God’s firm foundations, This is our heritage. clearing the ground for the coming New Age of Aquarius so that the waters of true knowledge can pour forth.
The Zodiac sign surely points to the importance of women in this work. The hint is there. It is becoming more and more obvious. Women priests, women doctors, women plumbers, women Mayors, women bus drivers all are gradually being treated as equals with men, or on a lighter note, what about unisex hairdressers or men baby-sitters. However, one must admit that sometimes it seems to be a slow process!
The Jewish idea of God as the stern Father is still in the background. The Bible sayings that God created man in his own image, male and female created he them, seems to have been forgotten. As does the statement that Sofia or Wisdom (feminine) was with God before the worlds were made.
God has no gender. Being both male and female in perfect unity. The eternal Christ, the Son, of God must also combine in His Person both sexes. The mystery, which science will one day unwind, is why God, the creative act, placed this duality of Him/Her self in the world; this yin and yang. Surely, it was to enable us, though our slow development and freewill, to bring all to balance and unity; to become one with our creator; a unity of souls which, at present, is only found in the higher worlds.
This unity, this true equality of the sexes, is rapidly taking place in the outer world of today. As we highlighted, we now have Women Priests; something which is essential to support many Christian Parishes. The relationship of equals is now plain to see. This is the way forward.
We, as a Christian Church with our, can one call it, ancient wisdom, background and open minded teaching, should be in the forefront of leading all forwards in Christ’s service towards the fulfilment of God’s purpose; the path of KNOWLEDGE leading to UNDERSTANDING and finally to that WISDOM that was with the Creator from the beginning. So that we know and have earned our rightful place as God's sons/daughters.
We have the great privilege of being a Portal to this Brave New World if we can but take up the challenge to bring the inner unity of the sexes that has always existed in the Higher Worlds out into the realms of physical experience.
Surely our privilege and duty is to play our part in opening up this Portal leading out and forward into God’s Future for all mankind.
A Portal whose lintel is UNITY, resting on the firm pillars of PEACE and CONCORD.
© +Allan B Barns
The Feast of St. Michael and All Angels.
2007
SOME THOUGHTS ON THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LADY
8 September 2007
In our August 2007 Newsletter we have been seriously considering, Our Lady, or The Blessed Virgin Mary as the Roman Catholics would say, and her work with Women Priests, so it seems appropriate to continue these thoughts here on our Web Site.
To help us in our study we have that marvellous extract from the Eighth Chapter of the Book of Proverbs as the Nativity Epistle. (do read it sometime) This seems to take us to the very heart of all things, beyond the small details of Jewish or Christian theology to the very breath of life itself. To the hidden truths of the Divine Feminine. It allows us to slip, if only for a moment, out of time, out of the horrors and devastation of the present, into the Reality of the future.
From what we have learnt we can realise that the Nativity of Our Lady is but a mile stone, albeit an important one, in the cosmic story. The Epistle, which is taken from the old Roman Missal, has always been a difficult one for traditionalists to swallow. It states quite clearly that Wisdom, the feminine aspect of the Godhead was there at the beginning, clearly negating the Adam and Eve story and the continuing medieval idea that woman was not really an equal to man but a childbearing, unclean adjunct.
We in our Church are used to the Eastern idea of the duality of Yin and Yang, equal in the circle of the Trinity of life and each with but each with a seed of its counterpart at its centre. Thank goodness these ideas seem to be coming to the forward in this Age of Enlightenment. Frantically the world is being painfully shaken up — spring cleaned — preparing for the Trinity of Light, Love and Power of Christ that is once again coming into prominence. We have the seeds of advancement in our sights. Now is the time for Renewal of Heart, that fresh outlook, that taking stock, highlighted by the Intent for today.
Many Christian Churches have caught sight of this future for the equality of women, this tussle between the old and the new. This is also seen in the Liberal Catholic Church, where the old branch of the Church knows that growth must take place but still hangs on to the past and can only make cosmetic alterations to the words. in our Liturgy. Thank goodness some groups have parted with old Liberal Catholic tradition and tried, with great care, to move forward into the future which is surely part of the coming Aquarian Age. A fresh Nativity of Our Lady in the world of to day.
It is not just coincidence that nearly all the Oratories in our little group are dedicated to Our Lady, so all who read this, seekers, Liberal Catholics or enquirers, think about the future rather than the past; think about the equality in God’s eyes of all His people; think how we can best advance His Plan for the unfolding of all humanity. Surely, in troubled, catastrophic world around us a present there is a clear sign of God’s promise --‘Behold, I will make all thing new.’
© +Allan
WHERE HAS GOD GONE
THERE was an article in TIME Magazine June 16, 2003 'Where did God Go' — 'O Father, where art THOU?' by Jeff Chu.
Being published in Amsterdam it gives a broad perspective of religious life in Europe. It shows that the number of people attending services once a month or more is very low and dropping steadily, but, it also still shows a high percentage of those questioned claiming to belong to a religious denomination. Great Britain for example 83.4% and 18.9% respectively. France only 57.5% and 12%. Interesting!
This confirms, what we know already, that hard pews and boring services are not attracting Christians into formal church worship, although they still retain a belief in some higher power. A belief in God. The article high-lighted that while there is still a small group of older folk attending the services that they know and love, also there is a strong group of younger people who are not only happy to admire the great cathedrals such as Chartres as unsurpassed works of art but are willing to attend such groups as The Alpha Course or Taize with an open mind. Bishops and Cardinals are out, God has become 'user friendly'. God can be found among the youth. God can be found in House Churches and Groups, rather than vast empty buildings. So the article actually contained a strong message of hope.
The Archbishop of Brussels is reported as saying: 'The Church needs to get to know modern culture. But it is a mistake to think that we should try to attract more people by diluting our message.'
Surely, this is where our Church comes in. We have not diluted but preserved the message that we have inherited. However, at the same time, we have the freedom to present the age-old message in the context of modern advances in thought and science. We can stress the ever advancing knowledge of the esoteric principles within Christianity without the fetters of outdated organizational forms. God has not gone anywhere. He is Emanuel — God with us.
That is OUR message for the youth of today.
© +Allan
SPIRITUAL REGENERATION
The Spiritual Regeneration of the nations is of paramount importance at this time on Earth. With the explosion in knowledge and the power of scientific exploration, the world has become focused on minutia and now has to broaden its outlook if it is to make a good transition into the 21st century, when the promise of a New Age exists. What people will make of it will depend upon their beliefs and their abilities to live up to their beliefs.
A study of the world religions can help to bring people closer to their own value systems which are functioning at the deepest level within the personality. It doesn't mean that one religion is better than another. It means that the way to the sacred has been found by groups of people who have wished to share their enthusiasm; although sometimes misguided in holy wars that have occurred around the planet, over millenniums, between various religions - no one has proved that there is one religion above all others. The truth is that all organised systems have the potential to be a safe repository of the sacred but the greed and hunger for acquisitions and power has relegated the sacred by material desires to second best, the results of which are now showing in a series of occurrences, such as global warming and terrorism.
It is up to us to reawaken our sense of the sacred in whatever form it takes and apply that lesson to life, becoming a living sacrifice for the divine. By learning to be sympathetic to the needs of others and by holding true to the ethical values of humanity, people will begin to realise how all the beliefs are interconnected.
MK
THE LENTEN SEASON
Lent is a term derived from Anglo-Saxon and means "long days" or "spring." It dates from the fourth century and was a time of special discipline for those who were to be baptized on Easter. In time it became a peroid of fasting and penitence for all in preparation for Easter.
The first day of Lent is the fortieth weekday before Easter. It is called Ash Wednesday and takes its name from the ancient custom of burning to ashes the palms blessed on the Palm Sunday of the previous year. The ashes were then placed on the foreheads of the faithful in the form of a cross -- a reminder of mortality and an outward and visible sign of inward repentance.
Ash Wednesday and other weekdays of Lent are traditionally observed by special acts of self-discipline and self-denial. The Liberal Catholic Church does not impose or mandate any specific obligations on the faithful, It does encourage each person to form their own conscience and activity on these matters.
We are encouraged to undertake our own specific form of self-discipline and self-denial to prepare us for the Great Feast of Easter, as Jesus prepared for His Ministry during forty days of fasting and wrestling with temptation in the wilderness.
The fourth Sunday in Lent is known as Mid-Lent, Mothering Sunday or Refreshment Sunday, from the Gospel of the day, which tells the story of the feeding of the multitude.
The color of the Lenten Season is purple to symbolize repentance and metanoia, a turning from our old lives to begin a new life in Spirit.
Keep in mind that our Liberal Catholic Tradition does NOT mandate any specific activity for you. We do Not tell you what you "Should" or "Shouldn't " do.
Father Bill Delahunt Liberal Catholic Church-Theosophia Synod
CHRISTMAS 2006
WHAT CAN ONE SAY about Christmas that isn't either hackned or sentimental — if one is to avoid the tinsel commercial aspects of the Feast.
Maybe it is the latter that tends to predominate or come to the surface at this time, partly as a result of today's worldly secular outlook and partly through the pressure of the mix of so many cultures and religions that has been brought about mainly by scientific advances in travel and communication.
But communication of what? The method is there for all — DVD’s, TV, computers, PDA’s, mobile phones, wireless networking, satellites and so forth. Yet despite all this we do not seem to be communicating much of any importance. It is all hot air, jargon, show-off. However, to the serious student who looks below this surface there are many subtle signs of a change of direction. A reversal of the swing of the pendulum, of man's attitudes. At the back of all there is a deeply felt desire, a quest for more eternal, more real verities. Maybe this is the spur of the incoming New Age. A pressure from above. Maybe mankind is reacting to the inner vibrations of his soul, to the pressure of resonance. Lets face it, the guiding hand of the Spirit of Christ and his workers.
So it is really important that once again at Christmas we renew our thoughts and refresh our spirits study the message that we are given on this winters solstice feast. An age-old message. A message heard many times before but still fresh, still relevant to-day as it was 2000 years ago. The message is simple, that deep in the cave of matter, in the innermost recesses of the heart of all mankind, a light is born A light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. We should note these words. Not just those who think that they have seen the light, or think that they are numbered amongst the elect, the saved, but everyman. We also know that the birth of that tiny light has at its centre the full glory of the noon day sun. that it grows as we train ourselves to see and understand it, grows into the Star of Initiation. Not only the night time Shepherds Star of Bethlehem but also the same star which is the bright and Morning Star of future promise. Of Kingship.
So as we once again recall the Christmas story and expand in thought and action with the ritual of Yule Tide let us remember the promise that it brings. A promise for the future. We know that often the signs of a change of the dawn of a new age are hard to see, but they are there if you look below the surface noise and so called communication of today.
Let us think positively on these things and work with and for our Master Christ in his care for humanity.
© +Allan
THE GOOD LAW
“Weep not for Me,” the dying Teacher said,
“Prepare to follow Me to the Great Peace.
Walk in the Path as I commanded you,
The endless round of life and death shall cease.
No tangled web of sorrow shall ye weave
When pride, desire, and cruelty have died.
Walk in the Noble Path, hold fast to Truth,
And you will ever have Me by your side.”
Oh, blessed Lord of Tenderness and Love
Your first commandment bids us kindly treat
All living creatures, be they great or small,
Footless, four-footed, or with many feet.
This precept must be well and truly kept
By those who hope deliverance to gain;
No one can tread the Holy Eightfold Path
Who disregards a sentient creature's pain.
Yet men go forth the timid stag to hunt,
For gaily plumaged bird they lay a snare,
Betray the trust of faithful dog and horse,
Spread death and dissolution everywhere.
Bound to the Wheal of Life and Death they stay
While sorrow, suffering, and despair increase,
For they have failed to listen and obey-
Alas, men wander far from the Great Peace.
But those who shed benevolence on all
Earth's living creatures, and who walk aright
Fulfilling the Good Law, shall freedom gain
The end of pain and sorrow is in sight.
All homage to the Blessed Lord, who lit
The Lamp of Knowledge, in whose light we tee
All life is one. OM MANI PADME HUM!
Strive for the Great Peace, strive unceasingly.
By Geraldine E. Lyster
Printed on the back of an envelope addressed to
Christmas Humpreys from the Mandalay Vegetarian Society, Burma
THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER
O Adorable Lord of Mercy and Love!
Salutations and prostrations unto Thee.
Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient.
Thou art Satchidananda*
Thou art the indwelling of all beings.
Grant us an understanding heart,
Equal vision, balanced mind,
Faith, devotion and wisdom.
Grant us inner spiritual strength
To resist temptations and to control the mind.
Free us from egoism, lust, greed, anger and jealousy.
Fill our hearts with divine virtues.
Let us behold you in all names and forms.
Let us serve Thee in all names and forms.
Let us ever remember Thee.
Let us ever sing Thy glories.
Let Thy name be ever on our lips.
Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever.
by Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh.
*Satchidananda - Existence-Consciousness-Bliss-Absolute
By saying this prayer on a daily basis it will help to begin the loving journey back to the sacred,
giving us a chance to breathe new life into our human being!