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Do We Flee Our Vocation Like Jonah?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Counseling Those To Their Vocation: Jonah

Many flee their calling from God.  It is hard to help counsel them in the right direction because they are overcome with fear.  In previous blogs, we looked at the faith of Peter to walk on water as he followed Christ.  Peter was filled with faith and wished to follow our Lord without fear.  Only when he took his eyes off his Lord, did he begin to fall, but only to be gently lifted by the hand of Christ.  Peter teaches us that we must follow Christ and accept our vocation.  Fear should not be an obstacle.
Yet, many still flee their vocation, much like Jonah.  Jonah is an excellent example of one who is afraid to undertake his divine calling.  Instead of preaching to  Nineveh, Jonah fled in fear of what might happen if he entered into that city.  He did not have faith in God,  as Peter did, to face his fears.  In his fear, he fled the Lord, but the will of God was strong and in his running, he was swallowed by a great fish and held for three days.  Only till he relinquished his own will, did the Lord release him to carry out his vocation of preaching to Ninevah.
How many times do we flee our vocation because of fear?  Where do we flee?  We will probably not be swallowed by a great fish, but what “great fish” is preventing us from carrying out God’s will?  If we choose to live our own will over the Lord, we may not be imprisoned by a great fish but we will be imprisoned in a life of unhappiness.  Only fulfillment of one’s vocation can give true happiness.
So let us all escape our “great fish” and face our own “Nineveh” with faith and no fear.
If you would like to learn more about Christian Counseling Certification, please review the program.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Samson: The Patron Saint Against Despair

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Counseling Despair: Never Forget Samson

Many in the world commit great sins in their life and when the time comes for them to face their Lord, they hide in fear.  Like Adam, they hide in the bushes, or like Judas, may even take their life.  Counseling and removing despair from someone can be a difficult feat, but one needs to look no farther than Samson.

Samson was blessed by the Lord with amazing strength.  This charism from the Holy Spirit enabled him to defend Israel yet his fallen nature fell to the temptation of Deliah, who seduced him and found the key to his power.  Of course, Sampson’s hair was a sacramental symbol of the grace that empowered him.  Once his soul sinned and betrayed the Lord, the cutting of the hair symbolized his fallen state.
Alone, desolate and without his Lord, he was then given over to the enemy.  There he was tortured and tied to two pillars to be mocked by the enemies of Israel.  Yet in this dark moments, Samson remember his Lord.  His power was not his hair, but his faith in the Lord.  Through his act of faith and repentance, the Holy Spirit filled him with his previous power–even without his long hair.
Samson did not find despair but he understood the love of God and in his hope he found salvation.  His power was restored and he offered himself as a martyr and brought justice to the enemies of the Lord.
How many times do we find ourselves feeling that God will not forgive us?  If so, merely remember Samson and in doing so, you will not only be forgiven but also restored to your previous stature before the Lord.
If you would like to take Christian Counseling Courses, please review the program.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Christian Counseling Education: The Internal Battle of the Soul: Intellect, Will, Conscience and Grace

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The Christian Counselor as a Pastoral Guide and a Moral Theologian: Helping One Defeat Oneself

There has been much written in this blog and among other theologians and writers regarding the external nature of temptation, occasion of sin and the ploys of Satan in regards to our soul.  I would like to focus more on the internal struggle of temptation between man, the action and God.  Within our fallen nature, we have more to worry about than a diabolical being, corrupted individuals and the whiles of the flesh.  Instead, it is sometimes within our very own will that we experience our most intense battles against concupscience, selfishness and our own desires.  This is where the Christian Counselor must combine the pastoral sensitivity of his vocation with the legalistic understanding of moral theology.

The Mind is Willing but the Flesh is Weak

Christ said it best, “the mind is willing but the flesh is weak”.  This is due to our fallen nature that while made in the image and likeness of God and desiring of good, is still nevertheless inclined to false goods that are detrimental to the soul’s salvation.  The internal struggle to do what is right and to submit one’s will to God is the ultimate battle one will face.
A list of terms will be necessary in understanding the inner struggle of the soul against temptation.  First, when one speaks of man, we see two parts, body and soul.  Within the soul exists to faculties, the intellect and the will.  The intellect is the understanding part of our soul while the will is the decision part of our soul.  The intellect presents information to the will and the will then decides what to act upon or not act upon.  The will, however, is tied up with a multitude of physical sensations that go beyond the mental realm.  The will must deal with various physical appetites that may contradict the understanding of the intellect.  These various appetites are documented in St. Thomas Aquinas’ moral theology and can play havoc within the core of the soul.  If the intellect is guided with a sound and moral conscience, then the battle is more intense with the passions, but if the intellect is guided with an unsound or ignorant conscience, then in many cases the will is subjugated without a ‘shot fired’ to the demands of the passions.  No evil action is detected and the action is carried on without remorse.  Obviously in today’s age of science, other factors of mental illness must also be tied to immoral decision making but we will remain focused on mentally sound decision making agents.
While one is compelled to rectify an erroneous or unsound conscience, many fall to various illicit moral actions without a sense of remorse or fear.  However, the true battle that rages involves the certain and sound conscience that trumpets what is right and wrong despite the desires of the flesh.  While hedonists and other secular materialists would consider this a psychological pathology of a divided man, Christianity would applaud such a stance of a soundly formed conscience.  Only until the next life shall the intellect, will and physical appetites work in harmony.  Until then, the certain and sound conscience voices the demands of Christ despite the body’s other carnal or dishonest desires.
Can we overcome these desires and listen to what is right?  Unfortunately, due to the severity of damage to our nature after Adam’s fall,  one cannot by himself choose good without the grace of the Holy Spirit.  While our free will does play a role in accepting God’s grace, one cannot dare accomplish salvation or good actions without the grace of God.

How Does Grace Work?

Grace is a gift from God given to his creation.  Like a medicine to the soul, it has a variety of functions.  Some grace restores union with God (sanctifying), while other graces are applied to certain needs of the soul (sacramental).  Everyday grace (actual), however, is applied to everyday situations that divide the will between a morally right or morally wrong option.  No good choice is possible without actual grace.

This was once debated between Pelagius and St. Augustine.  Pelagius daringly denied the existence of original sin and concluded that men can make good choices without the grace of God.  Pelagius contended that man is capable of choosing God without grace.  St. Augustine countered that since Adam fell, man’s nature was damaged and needed God’s grace to choose good.
Within the inner workings of the soul, God feeds grace to the intellect and will to overcome temptation.  It there where the battle begins.  Do we accept the gentle whispers of our God to do what is right, or to fulfill a vocation, or do we choose our own will and our own desires?  Counseling can help, but one needs to make one’s own stand.
This dialogue with God can bear fruit if we allow the grace to purify our soul.  Virtue and consistent practice will replace vice, and God’s will shall shine over our own.  Spiritual fruits will grow as our will becomes open to God’s will and we will become surprised to see that submission to God’s will is actually freedom from our fallen nature.
Christian Counseling Education is a great way to learn how to counsel those who need spiritual guidance in their own internal wars against sin.  If you are interested, please review the program.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Accomplishing One’s Vocation In Faith

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling to Help Others ‘Walk On Water’

And when Peter arose from the belly of the boat, he saw Christ in the distance upon the sea, walking on water.  He called out to Christ and Christ beckoned him forward.  Peter arose and walked to him but the moment he took his eyes off of his master, he began to sink.  Christ then gently lifted him once again upon the water.
Christian Counseling can also help others “walk on water” if one keeps his eye on Christ.  Peter was called by Christ and despite the “impossible” demand, Peter did walk on water, and continued to, only until his faith was shaken and his eyes turned away from Christ.  Spiritual advisers need to remind their spiritual children that if Christ summons them to any task, great or small, he will give them the ability to accomplish that goal.
How many times do we fear the calling of the Lord and only see the storm and the deep sea?  Yet what we do not understand is when our Lord calls us to a particular vocation, he gives us the ability to overcome any hardships.  As long we keep our eye on the Lord, we will be able to “walk on water” and accomplish any feat.

Hence if it is a ministry call, a marriage vocation, or a particular state of life that Christ wills for us, then we must submit our will to our master and as Peter, walk upon the water to greet our Lord–and if we do, we will not drown but walk upon the water.

I also listed two other pictures from this event in Christ’s life.  They were just too simply beautiful and inspiring to leave out.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Education Training, please review the program.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

The Song of Songs and What Religious and Romantic Love Truly Is

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Romantic and Religious Love

Ideals of romantic love and religious love are sometimes very mixed throughout Scripture.  The idea of love of Christ and his love of the church is interwoven with ideals of marriage.  These beautiful analogies show that love at its heart involves certain characteristics.  In the Song of Songs, the woman is reluctant to give up her love of a shepherd for the love of King Solomon.  The poetry in the book expressed her pure love.  Also it proposes a deeper theological significance of a soul’s love for Christ despite the promises of the world.  Below is an excellent synopsis on this book and on spiritual love.

Pastor Glen Pease writes about romantic love and religious love and its relation to the Song of Songs.  In the article “Romantic and Religious Love Based on the Song of Songs”, he gives a concise analysis of the book and the ideas on romantic and religious love.

“Love makes the world go round, says the one time popular song, and there are very few who will deny it. History reveals that one of life’s greatest tragedies is to die unloved.”

For the full article, please click here.

The ideals of romantic and religious love are tied to the very fabric of human interaction and expression.  All need for counseling comes from loss of love and without an understanding of love and loss, no-one can truly ever counsel.  In this respect, Christian Counselors should become well versed in this book of the Bible.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling, please review the program and click here.
Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Discerning and Taking on Our Special and Unique Discipleship

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

As Christians we choose to believe Jesus rose. Please also review AIHCP's Christian Counseling CertificationCounseling the Doubtful to Their Proper Discipleship

During the gathering of the twelve, Our Lord did not seek out the most wealthy or influential people, but sought out the fisherman and tradesmen of various villages.  These men were far from educated but had pure hearts.  They were rich in spirit.
It is also noteworthy that these men gave up their lives for Christ.  They put away their fishing nets and followed him.  In contrast to the rich man who proudly told the Lord that he had observed all commandments but was unwilling to let go of his possessions and completely follow Christ as a disciple or apostle.
In this regard, the call of Christ is for all to fulfill discipleship in some way but many are unable to let go of the material illusions of this life to become spiritual and serve Christ.   The particular vocational call for each differs but ultimately there is a universal priesthood and discipleship that all must answer.  Christian Counseling can help one find their particular call of discipleship.

Priest/Minister Call of Discipleship

While many would see this as the most important, I would contend that such callings although more rare are still nevertheless equal callings of discipleship.  The function differs but the value of discipleship within the Mystical Body of Christ is equally yoked.  Even Christian creeds with a value of hierarchy have re-evaluated the pyramid type scheme of their Ecclesiology to point out that all calls to discipleship are equal in sanctity.  The Catholic Church, in “Lumen Gentium” clearly points out the importance of the laity and their equal calling before God.  The Catholic Church has seen the value in other Eccesliological models that dismiss a pyramid image with a circular image.  The circle portrays an equal plane that circumvents the central ties of unity.
With the proper perspective of priestly ministry understood as not a superior calling but a different and more rare one, people can begin to understand the unique call to discipleship that this calling encompasses.  The call to serve and to feed Christ’s sheep.  Did not Christ tell his apostles that they must serve.  Christ, as the ultimate master, even took it upon himself to wash the feet of his apostles.  How many times do we see the hierarchy parade as if kings-not portraying Christ but regressing to the behavior of the temple priests of Israel?

Hence the purpose of priestly discipleship which is in strict line with the work of the apostles is a mission of service to the church.  In this special vocational calling, a man surrenders his life to Christ and accepts Christ’s special invitation to follow him as his apostles did.  Christ comes to some early in life and to others older in life, but when the time is right, the soul feels the urge to answer “yes” to its master and follow him.  Is this not the way an invitation to ministry or the priesthood happens?  Can one not imagine the presence of our Lord at our door, knocking and asking if we will follow him?

Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen

Like the rich man, many do not answer this door.  Maybe they are entrapped in this world or fear change.  Christian Counselors, spiritual advisors and other men of the cloth can help encourage these souls to move forward with fortitude as Peter and his apostles did when our Lord visited them.  Our Lord will aid the journey for his weight is light and his yoke is sweet.  In fact, the life style that involves a discipleship of ministry is one of joy for those chosen for it.  Many men who choose a celebrant life as a priest or minister find an inner strength.  This inner strength was not developed but was placed by the Holy Spirit as special charism that gives such souls the ability to serve the church without need of companionship.  Many of these men do not feel the need to have a woman at their side.  They feel content in life with family and hobbies.  Prior to their ministry, they usually found themselves without a girlfriend.  This is not to say they never dated or were romantically involved in the past but the passion and necessity never burned in their souls.  Why?  Because the Holy Spirit has given them a self suffiency within their vocational call that will allow them, if they choose, to become instruments of God for his church.
Does this mean men must completely commit their life to Christ without a wonderful woman at their side?  Defintely no.  Some vocational calls of ministry include a loving wife at one’s side.  Within Protestantism, ministers and priests are blessed with the joys of serving the church and enjoying the interior intimacies of companionship.  Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, there are married Catholic priests.  Unlike the Western Church, the Eastern Church has celebrated a married clergy since the beginning.  These priests can be found in the Byzantine traditions and also the Non-Catholic Orthodox traditions.

Yet, some men feel the need to totally separate themselves from such companionship.  As another Christ, they become bethrown to the church herself.  With the special spiritual graces and their interior make up, they are able to happily execute a life totally dedicated to God without human sexual companionship via a wife.
Neither calling of celibacy or marriage within the ranks of ministry or priesthood are superior to one or the other because all vocational callings are from God and it is the purpose of a person to fulfill the will of one’s creator.

Other Vocational Calls of Discipleship in the Religious Life

Some feel a deep calling to serve the church through the religious life.  This calling is sometimes contemplative or missionary.  Various orders throughout the Church have opened itself to men and women to enter into a particular discipleship.  In Catholic circles, bound by the vows of chastity, obedience and poverty, these souls completely sever themselves from materialism and engage the world.  Some orders seek deep contemplation while others preach, aid the poor, visit the sick, commit to pastoral care, or provide missionary activity.  St. Francis, St. Anthony, St. Dominic, St. Benedict, St. Claire, St. Theresa of Avila,  and St. Theresa the Little Flower are just among a few handful of names that glow in this important call of discipleship.

Protestant churches while not bound to a particular order also courageously fulfill this religious call of discipleship with a variety of other charitable organizations.  Protestant denominations can also be found in missionary activity bringing the Gospel of Christ to Africa and Asia.  These pastoral services are a call of discipleship that ministers and priests cannot sometimes accomplish.  The brave souls who dedicate their life to spreading the gospel and bringing compassion to the sick on a day to day basis is a calling of finding Christ in the least of one’s brethren.  This calling also fulfills the great commandment to love one’s neighbor as oneself.

What of the Laity?

The same vocational drive that pushes the religious is also found in the laity.  First, for most laity is the vocation of marriage.  Most are called to this discipleship.  Yet how is marriage discipleship?  One can only look at the model of the Holy Family.  The Church in miniature starts at home.  A good father and mother raising their children in the teachings of Christ is a vocation and a call to discipleship that many do not realize.  It is through the daily lives of parents whether if it is mopping the floor, doing laundry, or going to the office that one fulfills his/her vocation to Christ.  In offering their daily duty and raising their children, parents fulfill their “priestly” duties to the  church.  While they may not be giving a sermon on Sunday or visiting far away lands, these people serve the domestic church via their example.  One can no longer devalue the universal priesthood of the laity and their extreme importance to the church.  Those called to this are equally blessed by the Lord because this is what God wants of them!  These domestic priests become the first preachers of Jesus to their children and become the cornerstone of the church.
Secondly, the laity fulfill a variety of needs to the church beyond domestic house keeping.  Laity are involved at the parish or congregational level through their activities.  Some help the minister or priest with book-keeping, while others help the minister or priest with Mass or services.  Some lector, some distribute the Eucharist, some sing and others visit the sick.

Single people also represent the laity.  They share the responsibilities of the church with the married laity.  And they too are called to a discipleship of good example and worship of God.  Yet in many cases they become the most disenfranchised.  They are the least remembered but ironically the most talked about because they have not “chosen” a path or “checked” off a life achievement “box” of reaching societal norms.  However, some are called to a vocational life of prayer that does not involve either avenues of choice.  They are called instead to be helpers of their families or generous givers of their spare time to worthwhile causes.  Some singles may be called only temporarily to this life as they discern and carry their cross of loneliness or doubt, but ultimately, our Lord will lead them to a particular calling.

Do Not Fear

Spiritual advisers and spiritual mentors should gently guide their spiritual children to the will of God, but ultimately it will be God who decides when the time is right for one to determine their particular calling of discipleship.  While counselors can identify various signs within the soul and can help one see those signs, the inner calling of God and the peace of the Holy Spirit is what will eventually allow the Christian to discern his particular discipleship.  As Christ takes one hand, we must not fear what our particular calling is but accept with faith.  We are already spiritually predisposed to the calling God has given us and only by fulfilling God’s will can one experience true happiness.

Take Control of One’s Discipleship

In addition to not fearing, one needs to take ownership of one’s discipleship.  Yes, via Baptism we all take ownership as a follower of Christ, but each one of us has a particular discipleship unique to us.  One must take control of that.
In scripture, the Mother of James and John addressed Christ in regards to who will sit on his right and left in the next world.  Christ did not respond to her but turned to James and John and told them that is for the Father to determine to who will sit where.  Christ’s avoidance of their mother was not due to anger or dismal of the mother, but a statement to everyone that we must take control of our own discipleship.  We cannot forever ask others what they think , but we must eventually take our own steps and make our discipleship our own by taking it on fully.

God Chooses the Lowly

In accepting our discipleship, we can definitely feel overwhelmed and unworthy.  Many saints fled the priesthood because they feared the awesome statue of merely saying “This is My Body”, but while one should be humbled by such calls, one should also feel honored and excited that our Lord would come to us personally and ask of us certain tasks.  We should embrace these roles of discipleship that our Lord has chosen for us and encourage others to embrace their particular role.  In accepting our discipleship, we should imitate Mary, who accepted the greatest discipleship role of all time–being the vessel for the birth of our Lord.
Ultimately in the end, can we say we were as bad as Saul or Augustine?  Judge not yourself or others for what the Lord had decided to make holy.  He will make it clean and use it for his purposes.
To learn more about Christian Counseling Education, please review the program.  If you would like to learn where to take Christian Counseling courses, then please review as well.
Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

How Frequent Use of the Eucharist Can Help In Counseling

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The Eucharist and Its Frequent Reception is Key in Counseling Spiritual Maladies

How can a counselor not recommend spiritual food for the sick?  Christian counselors should encourage the frequent reception of the Eucharist for their spiritual children to cure spiritual maladies they are treating.  In the Eucharist, Christ cures, forgives and brings new again.  The infusion of supernatural grace and actual grace to avoid temptation and sin are of instrumental value.

 Isn’t This Just a Catholic Thing?

On the contrary, this is a Christian ideal that transcends Catholicism.  The moment our Lord told his apostles at the Last Supper to do this “in remembrance of me”, he intended future Christians to break bread together for their spiritual well being.  On numerous occasions, Our Lord told his followers that they will need to eat of his flesh and drink of his blood to have life within them.  With these commands, one cannot dismiss reception of the Eucharist as a “Catholic thing” but a pivotal part of Christian life.  A pivotal part of life that not only is a social ritual for unity but also an individual experience with the Lord.  An experience that help heal spiritual maladies that plague one’s life.
Yes, obviously the Protestant Churches do not concur with the Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation and even within Protestantism, there are differences among many if the Eucharist is spirituality charged or merely symbol,  but the spiritual power, even if symbolic, must carry grace.

With this in mind, can not all Christian Counselors concur that the Eucharist is an important spiritual food for their children?
From the Eucharist, whether one believes it is the body and blood of Christ or symbol, one cannot deny these advantages.
1. Christ commanded it for the spiritual survival of the soul
2. It flushes grace into the soul
3. It can give peace
4. It can give guidance
5. It can give unity
6. It can heal
7. It can protect one from evil
8. It can strengthen
So let reception of the Eucharist become a norm for Christians of all denominations.  Let all share in the unity of Christ as Jesus, the greatest counselor, comes into our souls and heals our spiritual disorders.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Courses, please review the program.  If you would like to become a certified Christian Counselor, then review as well.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C, GC-C

Training in Christian Counseling: Sacramental Life of Reception of the Spirit

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Becoming Christian Soldiers of Christ

What a difference a few weeks make?  Scattered like sheep without a shepherd, terrified of the Jews, and cowardly hiding in the shadows, the Apostles and the close Disciples of Christ emerged to the surprise of the Jews as champions and soldiers of Christ.  They triumphantly preached the Gospel, suffered, and praised the chance to bleed for Christ.  A Peter who denied Christ would proclaim Christ and a Mark who ran in shame naked and in fear away from guards in the garden would become the lion of the gospel and roar.
What changed these men?  It was not Baptism because they were already baptized.  It was not their faith because they already believed in Christ.  Ultimately it was the reception of the Holy Spirit and the gifts and fruits that are given to the soul at Confirmation.  While Protestants may cringe at the thought of Catholic Sacramentalism, I would not heed fear of this and realize that both Catholics and Protestants believe the same thing but it is shrouded in different language and hundreds of years of mistrust.
As Christian Counselors we hope to re-introduce Christ to the fallen.  We look at baptized Christians who have fallen wayside and help re-energize their spirituality.  In Protestant circles, this is referred to being “Born Again”.  The Christian again finds his love for Christ and becomes recommissioned to preach the Gospel to the world.  The Holy Spirit fills the soul with a fervent love for Christ and a fearless purpose to face the world.
Catholics too experience a “Born Again” type experience through Confirmation.  As the Apostles first received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, so again, does the Holy Spirit come to Catholics during Confirmation.  The soul is given the gifts of the Spirit and the soul is turned into soldier of Christ.  The sacramental grace that is infused into the soul helps the person face Satan, the world and to preach the Gospel in the market place.
Christian counselors should utilize the grace of the Spirit in their sessions.  Pray to the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into both of you during counseling sessions.  The session should be moved by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
If one is not experiencing this presence then what is the purpose of Christian Counseling?  Christian Counseling is ultimately an intimate dialogue between a Spiritual Mentor and his Spiritual Son.  The meeting should be filled with the Holy Spirit and the giving of graces for particular needs.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Education or Training, please review the program.  Training in Christian Counseling is available for those who are qualified.
Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Counseling for Christians: The Dangers of Vengeance and the Mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

I Thought They Said an Eye for an Eye? Christian Counseling Responses

And Christ told Peter that those who live by the sword shall die by the sword and after that, they apprehended Christ.  This story in Scripture retells the illegal arrest of Christ and how he reprimanded Peter for seeking violence.  Lost in the confusion, Our Lord gently restored an ear to the temple guard whose ear had been cut off by Peter.  This is the love Christ demands and the same demand Christian counselors must echo in their counseling services for those who are obsessed with the demon of vengeance.

Christ told everyone to love one’s enemies and in the Our Father commanded us to forgive others their trespasses if we wished to receive forgiveness for our own sins.  Yet what a 360 degree change from the Old Testament.  The words of Christ clearly state to turn the other cheek, but the words found in the Old Testament seek an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  Obviously Christ did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it and in fulfilling it, he emphasized the misinterpretation by the Jewish population of this vague quote. People thought it was a personal law that applied to them instead of being an institutional law of the state. Christ corrected and reminded them that is law was not meant at the personal level and that one is to not seek vengeance but to turn the other cheek.  The eye for an eye was merely a law found within the structure of judicial ruling.

What is Justice?

In man’s earliest existence, justice was not disturbed by a neutral and authoritative third party, but was sought by the individual.  If someone stole one’s cattle, the owner had to find compensation by taking it back within whatever measures necessary.  There was a fine line between what was justice and what was vengeance.  This “wild, wild west” mentality for cavemen created a very unstable environment for society.  Social philosophers, Hobbes and Rosseau described this era as a dangerous one.  People eventually banded together and formed “social contracts”.  Under these contracts, people banded together for security and in banding together, they designated social justice to an executive branch of authority that would preserve and enforce the laws for the individual.  Through this contract, individuals gave up their right for personal retribution and gave it to the state.
While this is merely a social explanation of the eventual civilization of man, one can see how justice against evil became a social correction and no longer an individual crusade.  One of the most compelling argument for this form of justice was that it removed emotion from the apprehension of an evil doer.  No longer would a cattle thief face the hand and the rage of the owner, but instead would face the non-subjective hands of society’s enforcers.  This removed vengeance from the equation and allowed lady liberty to wear the blind fold of objectivity.  Hence justice is a proportional virtue that gives to one what is truly his but within an acceptable way by a rightful authority blind to emotion and self interest.
Christ teaches one not to seek justice through one’s own hand but through the state.  In individual matters, we are to turn the other cheek but through the judicial process, we may seek an “eye for an eye” in regards to compensation.

The Demon of Revenge

Yet many are consumed with a passion for revenge at all costs.  Some pursuits of vengeance are trivial while others tempt many to put on a “cape and cowl” and seek justice on the streets.  Are we not rightly incensed when we see pedafiles prey upon our children or see crimes against humanity through genocide?  This is a just rage, one that our Lord does share. Good men must stand up to these atrocities or the world will burn when they do nothing, but it must be done within the will of God and through legitimate authority.
Counseling one bent on revenge is difficult.  Yet the initial emotion of  anger (even just anger) to seek out someone who has hurt someone’s family is usually like all emotions–temporary.  It may even be healthy to let off some “steam” in the safe confines of counseling.   One, however,  should monitor closely a person who shows high traces of continued rage over a course of time.   While monitoring, make risk assessments, similar to suicide assessments regarding how well thought out revenge is and if it is doable.  If you feel there is a true chance of harm to anyone, you may have to find intervention at higher levels through family, church or authorities.

Christian Counselors should offer soothing thoughts that vengeance belongs to the Lord and that his justice will be manifested especially to the unrepented.  Emphasize the beauty of the Sacred Heart who has been wounded by our sins and yet still forgives.  Also emphasize to one who is hardened with thoughts of revenge that the Sacred Heart of Jesus offers mercy to everyone. Yet remind him also, Our Lord will come as a judge one day and his mercy will not be an option for the truly evil.  In addition to this, emphasize the ideal of karma.  While a Eastern ideal, it is still true that evil actions produce evil returns.  Through these thoughts, hopefully one can defuse the emotion of personal revenge and help the person hand over their vengeance to God who is all merciful but also all just.
Ultimately, we have all had mean things done to us, some more extreme or terrible than others.  While sometimes it is emotionally healthy for us to voice it and let it out, we must realize that the negative energy of hate will consume us and destroy us.  It will drive out the charity of the Holy Spirit and allow the  devil to consume us with hate.  The evil done will  become an obsession that will eventually  lead one to demise.  How many “white whales” do we wish to kill at the expense of our own life?  Will we like Captain Ahab, lose our own life in a distorted trek for vengeance?

Again we should turn to Christ and remember that he forgives us of our sins.  Our sins crucified him and the sins committed against us, also crucified him.  Yet Christ also carries our slights from others on his shoulder and forgives them.  If Christ can forgive us, and those who have hurt us, then why can we not also say “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”

If you are interested in Christian Counseling Education, please review the program.
If you also interested in counseling for Christians, then please review the program.  Counseling for Christians is based of Christlike and biblical values.
Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Christian Counseling Education: Interior Castle: Meditative Classics for Christian Counselors

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

St. Theresa of Avila and the Interior Castle: Christian Meditation

Christian Counseling without meditation is like a well without water-it has no purpose.  This is why counselors should frequently seek meditation, prayer and retreats to refresh their souls and strengthen their resolve to help those in pain and mental anguish.  St. Theresa of Avila presents an excellent guide in spirituality and meditation in her classic, the Interior Castle.
The text is written in a delightful fashion by St. Theresa in a simple language.  A language that makes one feel as if she is purposely writing each word for one’s own sake.  This personal style of writing is very pleasing to read and her sanctity is felt through the words.
The primary premise of the text is the various levels of intimate union the soul can experience with God while on earth.  St. Theresa refers to these levels as mansions within the castle of the soul.  The first mansions are the entry levels into mystical union but are surrounded by the noises of the world.  As one progresses deeper into the silence of the soul, the tricks of the enemy or Satan become less influential on it.  However, the soul as it becomes more in union with God, releases a bitter sweet reality; that complete union with something so wonderful is never completed on earth.  Eventually, the presence of God becomes more constant in the soul after it passes many spiritual tests.  Although the final union and 7th mansion is incomplete, the soul accepts the reality of this earthly union, and willfully fulfils the will of God on earth until it can meet God face to face in the Beatific Vision.
A few concepts that struck me greatly included these issues.  The first issue regarded how easily the soul falls from the outer mansions to outside the castle, then back in again.  In these phases the soul struggles with the illusions of the material world and the reality of God.  I think as counselors, we come across people who are “troubled by many things” and cannot retain focus on the Lord.  The devil steals the peace of the soul and throws forth the materialisms of the world.  These distractions pull the soul back and forth between God and the world.  These souls are far from evil, but bound by their fallen nature.  Are these not our own battles?  and…are these not the majority of people we counsel?  Pay special attention to these outer mansions and utilize the knowledge of St. Theresa in helping those who need to progress deeper into their own castle.
The second concept St. Theresa emphasizes is love of neighbor.  So many contemplatives sometimes seek solitude to find Christ.  They wish not to be distracted but to solely focus on him.  St. Theresa reminds the reader that true union seeks to share Christ’s love and to find Christ in everyone.  One cannot be completely absorbed in Christ without being part of the life of the church itself.  Christian Counselors should take this to heart as well.  In counseling, we attempt to share divine wisdom and to help one’s neighbor.

Finally, from a purely Catholic perspective, but nonetheless an applicable hypothesis for non-Catholics as well, one needs to have frequent reception of the Eucharist.  Although Protestant brothers in Christ, do not believe in the true presence, they still also share in a symbolic or grace filled belief in the unitative nature of the Eucharist.  There is clearly from a minimal perspective a spiritual union.  For Catholics, this union is even more in-depth and dare I say, a free ticket to the 7th mansion which can be shared for those 15 minutes with Christ.  Counselors of any Christian denomination should take use of the spiritual nature of the Eucharist and allow the grace that accompanies it to help one spiritually re-energize and take Christ to the market place.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Education, please review the program and please also, in the very least, give yourself the spiritual treasure of reading the Interior Castle.
If you would like to learn more about our Christian Counseling Education Program, then please review.
Witten By Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C