Inspiration

If ever there were a character in a movie with whom I most identified, it would have to be John Coffey in the Green Mile by Frank Darabont. Melinda Moore, one of the other characters, said similar words about wandering in the darkness to John when he helped her recover her health. There are many other words of wisdom shared by John (and others), some of which reach deep into my soul. “You tell God the Father it was a kindness you done. I know you hurtin’ and worryin’, I can feel it on you, but you oughta quit on …

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Originally published by Fr. Kenneth J Nelan, MOSF on October 29th, 2010 – modified for readability and to update concepts. Discernment ~ a process where one sits in silence and examines the path laid out before them.  Literally it means to understand something not before seen or understood Webster, 2010. It was a thing usually reserved for religious or philosophically-minded individuals; however, today it is a term most appropriate for those who have chosen a path of personal or global awareness. It is a process of discovery and awakening. We are, right now, in a time of awakening, a time …

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I felt them less frequently, then, and I know exactly why. I disconnected from it years ago when the turmoil began. There were many signs through the years – I ignored every one of them having been drawn in by charismatic personalities and promises of greater things. But as my passion and inner friends made themselves known, and their fear – their lack of security took hold, and I paid a hefty price. Shortly after I graduated from a degree program, jealousy became the status quo. At first, I didn’t recognize the signs. I thought they were just engaging in …

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Originally posted by Fr. Kenneth Nelan on October 27th, 2010 Formless Being We call The Divine by so many names and give It so many attributes that we sometimes forget there is more to the whole God thing than just defining It – there is also experiencing It.  We forget we are a part of the larger consciousness that exists throughout all things known and unknown. Almighty God, in whom we live and move and have our being, you have made us for yourself, so that our hearts are restless until they rest in you; grant us purity of heart …

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There is more to prayer than recitation and rote. It is a relationship – of sorts; not just a dialog with the +Divine – it is an embracing of +That upon which we rest our minds and souls. It is a means by which we “Gather into the Center” of our beings and become one with the +Creator. Prayer, too, is an action. When we pray we move our BEing towards a now spoken goal: “Heal Me,” “Forgive Me,” “Guide Me,” “Help Me” – and others – are openings to our movement towards that for which we are asking. For …

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There is no greater love we can ever share with another BEing than sharing space and spending time within their suffering. Giving them the chance to BE authentically themselves, especially in their time of need, is very much walking the healer’s path. Since Jesus’ time, physical healing has dramatically changed due to significant scientific advances. Today, we walk into medical clinics for the relief of physical pain and suffering. When we have emotional or behavioral problems, we talk to professionals who specialize in alleviating mental health crises. We also walk into sanctuary spaces of all kinds to find comfort for …

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This will probably be the last I speak on this particular subject. I’m tired and moving on… This is not, by any means, an objective observation of my encounters but is instead a true and faith-filled accounting of my experiences within the “Independent Catholic Movement (ICM)” (also known as the “Independent Sacramental Movement (ISM)”). The Old… I started my path of service in the ministry as a small child growing up in the Roman-lead Church. I never looked at people as liberal or conservative – they were all simply people with needs. Theirs, like my own, were hearts exploding at …

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We are restless spirits until at last one day we return to the +Creator; our hearts, minds, and souls seek the wholeness of the +One from whom we were made manifest. Until recently I thought wandering was a bad thing. In the past 21 years, I have gone from place to place seeking a home from which I could expound the virtues of finding peace and comfort in our +Beloved +Creator. And so I spent great amounts of energy trying to remain fixed in one place. Of course, I failed miserably – or so I initially thought. But with time …

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Many years ago, as part of the Latino Nonprofit Leadership Program, I had the opportunity to attend a retreat where our cohort grew together through trial and tribulation. On our final morning, sitting beside the lake, I penned the following. As we enter into the season of lent next week (it officially begins March 2, 2022 – Ash Wednesday), let us allow ourselves to be moved and transformed by the +Creator’s creation! Senses, Be Stilled; Good MorningRev. Kenneth J. NelanJune 2013 Upon the blue stillness lies the immensity ofall seen and unseen,all wished and non-wished, all glorified and all condemned. …

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