Episode 40 - Becoming an Ordinary Mystic, Part 1

SHOW NOTES

The devout Christian of the future will either be a “mystic,” one who has experienced “something,” or he will cease to be anything at all.  Karl Rahner

This is a podcast you won’t want to miss! Steve interviews Father Albert Haase - a friar, priest, and author and a man who has a wonderful accent and laugh. His book “Becoming an Ordinary Mystic” is the focus of the podcast, which is all about learning to cultivate a life with God where we draw close, listen, and respond moment to moment. It was such a great conversation that it went way over our usual time, so we made it into 2 parts!

Spiritual formation is like a relationship:

• Attraction – We have a natural attraction to God that is built in us
• Love - Love with all our hearts, all our minds, all our soul (from Luke 10:27)
• Commitment – We maintain a commitment to our relationship

4 steps – a short practice (suggests 5 times a day) to become aware of the present moment:

1. Stop – Look back to the present moment
2. Look – Pay attention to what your senses are registering
3. Listen – Ask the question “What is God asking of me at the present moment”
4. Go – I respond, do what God asks of me

Special Guest Father Albert Haase, OFM

Ordained a Franciscan priest in 1983, Albert Haase, OFM, is a popular preacher, teacher, spiritual director and guest on talk radio shows. A former missionary to mainland China for over eleven years, he is the award-winning author of eleven books on popular spirituality and the presenter on five best-selling DVDs. He is currently chaplain at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center, Temple TX.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN PODCAST

• Father Albert Haase, OFM - https://albertofm.org/
• Two books mentioned that were written by Father Albert Haase:
  • Coming Home
  • Becoming an Ordinary Mystic
• Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade  – “Every moment we live through is an ambassador that declares the will of God”  

Moment to Breathe - Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon by Saint Francis of Assisi

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.

To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.

Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather’s moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.

Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.

Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,
Mother Earth
who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial.

Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.

No second death can do them harm. Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility.

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