Some Doors have Windows VID 3
Tandem BLOG Article – VID 3
Video link https://youtu.be/hrZTsm_37S8
Catholic faith is bodily faith.
Embodied, because God took a human body to be able to interact with us on an
intimate level. We are fully incarnate, relational believers. Paul wrote to Timothy: For everything created by God is good, and
nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy
by the invocation of God in prayer (1Tm 4:4-5). Therefore, sacred images too, products of
co-creating humans, when used to give glory to God and honored as re-presenting
a real living saint, act to revitalize and sustain human-divine interaction and
vivify human relationships.
During the Reformation,
certain groups strictly forbade and even violently destroyed religious images,
at the same time portrait painting emerged.
The human need to express connection shifted to honoring the human being.
Through the centuries until today, glamor-centered culture has brought the
human image to front center. It even names supermodels gods and goddesses. The
extreme version and aberration being the illusive, multi-billion dollar human
trafficking and porn industry.
This almost exclusive
human or created nature emphasis in interior design has ousted the sacred image
from home décor. A few years ago religious pictures or statues could be found in a grandparent's bedroom. Now I even think they are scarce or cryptic in those private places (like a solitary cross on the dresser in the movie "War Room"). Many families today are seeking to visibly re-invite God back
into daily homestead living.
Another dynamic aspect of
the family patron relationship is the emotions it potentially stirs up in your
heart. Rational, opinions, and thoughts
(correct theology and real temptations) need to be balanced with healthy, life
giving emotions, even tears of joy. The
relationship with the household patron is real, not imaginary, not some fantasy
fairy tale.
Patrons had flesh and
bones, ups and downs, failures and successes just like all of us. For me
personally it’s like the difference between the Capitalist Elf who resides on
the North Pole, has flying reindeer and a staff of miniature elves to run his
toy business. Cute for making toddlers laugh and be “good”, but much different
from his inspiring mentor the actual Bishop, St Nicholas. This bishop saved sailors from death and
drowning, children from unjust punishment, young gals from the business of
human trafficking, and knocked out an obstinate heretic!
Whatever your final
choice, I believe the parents need to take the leadership role in discussing which
saints of two millennia, are most appropriate, challenging, comforting and
inspiring for the family, just as they choose their child’s name. Each child
will have the opportunity to celebrate their own personal patron, to be discussed
during another video in this series.
Below are some questions
parents may consider asking themselves when seeking out a sacred image as
family patrons. For starters, you may consider selecting Warner Salman’s
classic “I Stand Knocking at the Door.” I
have listed some considerations below. One
of the main purposes of Heaven Door spirituality is giving God room to
revitalize and vivify human relationships. Therefore, the initial Heaven Window
you choose needs to present the holy ones together, interacting with each
other, an event rather than a solitary portrait.
∆ Heaven Doors are
about making room for another person in our home. Jesus, primarily, revitalizes
our relationships. Seek out more than one person depicted in your family’s
sacred image. For example, Madonna and Child, Holy Family, Rublev’s Blessed
Trinity (above), Jesus at table with his disciples, an event in the Gospel or life of a
saint.
∆ Do you have a particularly inspiring
event in Sacred Scripture? If yes, search the Bible for the event and spend a
few days seeing how the action relates to experiences in your life. Why is this
event important to you? How will you
pass on this significance to your household?
∆ You may consider
searching for sainted persons bonding you to your family history or heritage. Could it remind you of sacred image
reverenced by your grandmother or other long-gone family members?
∆ Your family sacred
image could be something purchased during a pilgrimage to a favorite shrine or
holy place. I purchased this while visiting Our Lady of Guadalupe's Shrine in Mexico City.
∆ How does a particular image draw you
into the person or the event in the life of these patrons? How does the artist’s depiction draw you
beyond appreciating artistic beauty, style, color, light, gestures? What faith symbolism does it present to you or in its artistic tradition? Below is a stunning example of the Fifth Glorious Mystery: the Holy Trinity Crowns Mama Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth.
∆ What does the image say to you? Describe any interior emotions while gazing at
it. An emotional connection is a very
powerful connection for prayer.
∆ A Heaven Window Trial Period. If this practice is new to you, consider
trying a few favorite images. Printing up a sheet with your first choice. Hang it with masking tape at the place
selected for your Heaven Door. Over the next few weeks, see how it inspires you. Spend some time praying before it, initiate
some action prayers (led lite vigil, Rosary/Chaplet, flowers, , pray a Psalm, gather
a few family members when a special moment arises—when you’re done sprinkle
them with holy water as protection) If you like to print another image and see
where the patron leads you. Choose the holy image that evokes the strongest
positive connection. If praying before this image, brings your to consoling tears,
look no further.
With the above in mind,
other images may always be added to the Heaven Door. Placing seasonal images (a personal favorites: emotional expressions of "The Shepherds at the Manger" below) or
feastday statues of a family member’s personal patron are some
Next
Saturday: “Where’s your Family Tabernacle?”
__________________________________________
All
video content of St Casimir’s Series on the Domestic Church and Tandem Blog
Articles
© CzMKrysa, Buffalo, NY May
2020
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