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Christian Counseling and Ash Wednesday

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling for Ash Wednesday

As the Great Fast begins for the Western Church one is reminded of one’s own vulnerability and eventual death through Ash Wednesday. From the words ashes to ashes and dust to dust, one recalls one’s own finiteness and frail and fallen human nature.  Christian spiritual directors should remind clients of this.
The theological significance is however greater than a mere reminder that one will not live forever. As the first day of Lent in the Western Church, its reminds one of the Sin of Adam and how that sin or Original Sin brought death into the world.
As that sin brought death into the world, so Christ, the New Adam, brought life to the world and destroyed the power of Original Sin. Lent is the time of remembrance of the Redemption and Christ’s ultimate victory. It is also a time for spiritual renewal and faith in Christ.
Ash Wednesday is reminder of man’s fall via Adam, and through Lent, we carry our crosses with Christ and on Easter Sunday are reminded of our rise and salvation via Christ.  Christian Counselors should guide their clients to these truths.
If you would like to learn more about taking Christian Counseling courses.

By Mark Moran, MA

Christian Counseling and Fat Tuesday Observations

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Program in Christian Counseling Training: Christian Counseling ideals for Preparation for Lent

During Christian Counseling sessions, one should direct the faithful to a more suitable Fat Tuesday celebration.  The decadent over indulgence found in the Fat Tuesday celebration or Mardi Gra is in its roots a secular and pagan ideal. While secular and atheistic society views it only as a “beads for deeds” celebration where one overwhelms there senses in a gluttonous feast of vice, one can find even greater alarm in Christian perspectives that see it as a night to “let go” before the great fast and cater to every lustful or concupscient thought or desire before the start of the Great Fast. “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow is Lent” seems to be the overtone and prevailing spiritual atmosphere.
With such a dangerous philosophy especially among Christians, one can see the dangers of Fat Tuesday. If one is preparing oneself for a spiritual renewal, one is not to purchase a license to sin the day before, or to take another analogy, if one is to be married the following day to one woman, one is not to engage with as many women sexually as possible. This is not preparation or true reform for a holy event.
In preparation of the Great Fast, Christians should prepare themselves spiritually for the fast via prayer to God for the necessary graces to improve themselves spiritually during Lent. Fat Tuesday defeats this purpose. Maybe such celebrations stem from man’s subconscious or the Church’s inability to completely de-secularize society regarding vice, but it is clear such celebrations when taken out of context are counter-productive to the whole purpose of the Great Fast.
This is not to say I condemn festivities before Lent, but I would say I condemn the mindset and the extremes some take on this day.  Christian Counseling needs to emphasize this during sessions that approach Lent.  If you are interested in Christian Counseling certification, please review the program in Christian Counseling Training.

By Mark Moran, MA

Christian Counseling and Lenten Sacrifices

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling guides for Lent

Christian Counseling sessions should guide people towards a proper Lenten attitude.  The words, “What did you give up for Lent” are important but also naïve. They are important because they emphasize the necessity of the spiritual time of Lent but also naïve because the Great Fast encompasses so much more than simply giving things up. The time of Lent is a time of spiritual renewal and focus on Christ not merely giving up chocolate or cake because it is a ritual you have done since grade school. The sacrifice must have meaning and sacrifice.

On many occasions, people give up things that have no relation to their spiritual life. Ideals such as going on a diet during Lent are totally unspiritual and not related to one’s spiritual growth. As well as such proclamations that one will give up smoking. These ideas are all good ideas but when one attempts to “double dip’ and package a diet as a Lenten sacrifice, then one trying to fool is themselves that this is actually a spiritual exercise.
During Christian Counseling, one should push one’s spiritual children towards true spiritual sacrifices that teach self control and help the body learn the mastery of the soul. These sacrifices teach the body self control but also remind one of the sacrifice of Christ. One should offer up these small sacrifices with a smile and boasting. Only too many times, do we see people boasting of their sacrifices. What does that merit? Did not Christ say to look clean when fasting? Did not Christ also emphasize the value of the man who prays quietly in the back of the Church? Christ stated the Father sees everything be not concerned what your fellow man witnesses.
Yet, even merely giving something up that is relevant is still naïve to the whole purpose of Lent. Lent is about growing spiritually. How does one grow spiritually besides fasting with the Church during Lent? People should find extra time for prayer, scripture and other forms of spiritual meditation that bring one closer to Christ. Pious practices such as the Stations of the Cross, or finding a particular prayer or novena are also important. In addition to this, performing examination of conscience and finding a particular vice that haunts oneself is important. After discovering the vice, one should work on that vice all Lent and hope to conquer it with the opposing virtue. If one exhibits spiritual sloth, one should vigorously work against it by pushing oneself to weekly Mass or Church service and emphasizing both morning and evening prayer. Also, for those who already have a health spiritual life, one should perhaps venture into deeper waters and attend daily Mass or conduct a daily scripture class with friends. Also spiritual exercises such as St. Ignatius or others throughout the ages that within the norms of Christian orthodoxy should be examined. Finally, one should show love of neighbor. Corporal and spiritual works of mercy and alms giving should be considered during this time.

One should avoid the narrow secularist’s interpretation of Lent where Christians merely give up chocolate or cake and not eat meat on Friday but should seek to a better spiritual awakening through an enhanced prayer life that seeks to build moral character and eliminate vice. Certified Spiritual Christian Counselors can help with this.

Christian Counseling and Lenten Guidelines

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling and Guidelines for Fasting Days

Christian Counseling sessions can prepare people for guidelines for Lent.  The Great Fast is upon us and for those interested in abstaining and fasting according to the norms of the Church, please feel free to do so whether Catholic or Protestant this is a time for the universal Church to share in Christ’s love for us by giving back.
If age 14 to 59, Catholics are obligated to participate in the following.
1st day of Lent is a Day of Fast which includes no meat and only one full meal with additional intake equaling only another full meal throughout the day. The only other day of Fast is Good Friday.
Days of Abstinence are all Fridays.
If you are Eastern Catholic, the first day of Lent of course is Monday and not Ash Wednesday. The Days of Fast are the first day of Lent and Good Friday, but fasting includes meat and no dairy with as many meals as one wishes minus the two food groups.
Days of Abstinence are all Wednesdays and Fridays. The Western Church removed the Wednesday requirement due to the conversion of the barbarians after the Fall of Rome. It was hard enough to make them give up meat on Friday. The more ancient tradition of Wednesday in addition to Friday continued in the East and to this day is still enforced on all Eastern Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
Of course Protestants have no ecclesiastical obligations, although many mainstream churches such as the Lutheran and Anglican Churches encourage these fasts and traditions. Non Denominational Christians and other less mainstream groups are encouraged to join others in this universal fast since all make up the Mystical Body of Christ.
As Christian Counselors, we should all help prepare everyone for the Great Fast.
If you want to earn a Christian counseling certification, then review.

By Mark Moran, MA

Christian Counseling and Lenten Ideas on the Numeral 40

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling and the Number 40

The Lenten theme of “40” and “Desert” is a reoccurring theme. Let us today look at the time of Israel and the 40 years in the desert and see how we can utilize this concept with Christian Counseling Ideals.
For doubting God after the numerous miracles, Israel was punished with a wandering in the

desert for Forty years. This was even imposed upon Moses. Only children under the age of 21 of that sinful generation would be spared the denial of the Promised Land. During this time, the Jewish people under the guidance of Moses wandered the desert for an additional Forty years. It would be under Joshua that they would eventually enter into the Holy Land.
Here we see two motifs that correlate with Lent. The idea of the number Forty being a period of repentance and the idea of a desert. The desert signifies the world and sin. In the temporal realm, Christian pilgrims on Earth suffer in the desert until the final reward of the Promised Land. As the faithful Israelites entered into the Promised Land after Forty years, so too shall the follower of Christ enter into the Promised Land which is Heaven.
This however is an Old Testament analogy of the desert led by the Prophet Moses, the next idea of “40” and the “Desert” is even more amazing via Christ in the New Testament. However, we will leave that for another day. In the meantime, it will suffice to meditate upon the wandering in the desert of the Jewish people and how it relates to our own wandering in the desert of the world.
If you want to learn how to become certified in Christian Counseling then review.

By Mark Moran, MA

Christian Counseling and Christ’s 40 Days in the Desert

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christ’s Time of Temptation

The ideal of the desert and the number Forty also are useful motifs for penance in the New Testament. These symbols as used in the Old Testament also relate to the New testament and continue the theme, especially in the case of Christ and his temptations in the desert.  Christian Counseling sessions should utilize this motiff for Lenten discussions.

Again emphasis is placed on the desert as a place where sacrifice and renewal is found against Satan. Satan tempted Christ three times. He urged him to jump and allow angels to catch him from a cliff, promised him food and demanded adoration in exchange for all the kingdoms of the material world. These temptations contradicted the fasting that Christ was undergoing. Whether Satan at this time realized that Christ was the Logos is speculated, but the fact he remains he did sense a holiness never found in previous prophets and wished to tempt Christ during his period of fasting. Ultimately, it is in the desert that Christ in all his humanity faces Satan and emerges victorious unlike the fall of Adam. In much the same way, we must fast in the world for Forty days and emerge victorious like Christ over Satan. While the temptations may differ, they still represent the devil’s attempt to destroy our Lenten sacrifices. What temptations does Satan give one? They could correlate with an opposite vice of a virtue we are practicing in Lent, or represent a desire we are trying to curb. In all these ways, we must pray to Christ to send these temptations away.
Through the Forty days of Lent, we must overcome temptation, renew our faith in Christ, fast and prepare for the Resurrection. As Christ emerged from the desert prepared to do his Father’s work, so can we emerge prepared to do the will of the Father.
If you are interested in the Christian Counseling Program, please review it over and see if it matches your academic needs.  As a certified Christian spiritual counselor, you can help others find Christ
By Mark Moran, MA

Christian Counseling and Lenten Ideals of Walking with Christ

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling and Lenten Ideals

There are other motifs for Lent that Christian spiritual directors can also use to portray Lent other than the image of Forty and the image of desert. One such way is viewing Lent as a time of walking with Christ, not only during his public life, but also during Christ’s passion. One then is expected to carry one’s own cross to Calvary next to our Lord.
As Christians carry their crosses with Christ during Lent, they can also become like Simon who helped our Lord carry his cross. By sacrificing and offering up one’s crosses, one offers reparation for one’s sins but also the worlds. When in union with Christ, these ordinary trials of everyday life become supernatural sacrifices. With Christ as Our High Priest, we bring to him our offerings of trials suffering and pain, and we walk with him. St,. Theresa should us the power of offering little things. We do not need extraordinary actions but the simple offering of daily annoyances. We can also offer sacrifices and fasting. St. Ignatius in his Spiritual Exercises points out that when one fasts though, it is deeper than a mere sacrifice. Fasting goes beyond sacrifices because fasting deals with ordinary denial of everyday necessities. When one denies oneself superfluous things, they practice temperance and moderation, but when one fasts they deny ordinary things.
During Lent, Christian Counselors should encourage that their spiritual children carry their crosses, make sacrifices and fast and abstain properly. While our Lord in his human nature existed in temporal time and died historically, as a divine being, he is eternal. The Trinity as an eternal being is unbound by the time and escapes it vacuum. In the all seeing eyes of God, there is only one reality-the ever present. In this way, our sacrifices and words of consolation to Christ are seen and heard by him as he carries his cross. Hence we can truly walk with Christ to Calvary during this Lenten season, weeping as the holy women, helping him as Simon, and consoling him as his mother.

by Mark Moran, MA

Lenten Ideals: Meditations from the Stations for Christian Counseling

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

During Holy Week it is proper to prepare oneself for the passion of Christ during Christian Counseling sessions.  In meditation upon his suffering and death, we can grow closer in love with our savior and find pious resolve to offer our own crosses with Christ.  Meditation with Christ can also allow us to join Mary, John, Veronica, Simon and the Holy Women to the very foot of the cross.  While Christ’s death as a temporal reality happened historically some Two-Thousand years ago, Christ as the Logos also exists outside of time and within that ability can hear our thoughts and prayers as he suffers.  This is an excellent opportunity to mourn for Christ from a distant future but also in a tender present whisper in the echo of time.  We can literally console Christ in our meditation as he suffers for us.
Christian Counseling meetings should take advantage of meditations that can be employed by their clients when focusing on Christ during Holy Week.  Certain themes can be applied from the Stations of the Cross and utilized for spiritual development within the souls of the faithful.

Christian Counseling Themes Found in the Stations

A few themes that stand out the most from the Stations of the Cross will be reviewed here and

applied to one’s own personal crosses they may carry.  The First and most obvious theme of the Stations is conforming one’s will to the Father.  As Christ accepted his cross, he submitted his will to the Father.  This pain of mental submission initiated in the Garden and was carried to its finality at the cross.  In our prayers, we should mimic Christ in accepting the chalice of the Father.  Our prayers should be focused on what doors the Lord chooses to open not the ones we wish to have opened.  Through the meek and humble example of our Lord, we too should accept whatever crosses come our way.
 A Second theme that appears in the Stations is Christ’s calmness and magninty in the face of chaos and lies.  As those unworthy to judge him mocked him, he stood as a pinnacle example of Christian excellence and peace.  He did not return hate with hate, but stood his ground, professed truth and portrayed a magnanimous image for all Christian generations to follow.  This was clearly seen as Pilate condemned Christ to death.  How many times are we unjustly ridiculed or mocked?  Do we stand for Christ despite the heckling of the world?
A Third theme can be found in the numerous times Christ fell because of our sins.  Each time Christ looked up to heaven, and triumphantly and courageously lifted up the cross of our sins.  How many times do we fall for those we love yet continue to carry on especially when no reward is in sight?  How many times do we help others without any benefit to our own?  This theme can also be applied to Simon, who though at first hesitant became an example of helping others.  Little did Simon know that by helping a stranger, he was indeed playing a small role in his own redemption.  This is the truth behind helping others.  One cannot see the temporal value on earth, but will be surprised and amazed at the value of such small actions in the next life.
A Fourth theme can be found in the sorrows of our Lady.  The loss of a child is the most painful experience a person can feel.  Our Lady not only lost her son, but witnessed his cruel torture.  She saw him carry his cross, expire on the cross, hold his lifeless body, and witness the sealing of the tomb.  Her sacrifice of her son for our redemption has led many to refer to her as a Co-Redemptrix.  She herself, while unable to liberate man as Christ, still nonetheless suffered with Christ for the sins of man and suffered the mental anguish of seeing her only son die.  In this regard, the love of Our Lady for us is also a theme that cannot be diminished if one meditates on the Stations.
A Fifth theme is the fidelity of Mary, John, Veronica and the Holy Women.  Due to the fear of the mob and the Romans, few remained faithful to Christ in his darkest hour.  Judas betrayed him with a kiss, Peter denied him three times, and many of the Apostles and Disciples fled the garden like sheep scattered from the shepherd.  This betrayal stung our Lord more than any broken promises we have found in our life.  Yet, when times get tough, do we find ourselves standing behind Christ as a soldier, or as a scared lamb?  Has the Holy Spirit strengthened us enough to stand by Christ?   Would we flee the garden or be found at the foot of the cross on Good Friday?
A Sixth theme is the horrendous nature of sin.  While the effects of sin may not be spiritually visible to all, the debt of sin still nonetheless has an enormous debt to justice.  Justice demands restitution for that injustice.  Only Jesus Christ, who as man represented us as High Priest and as God became the perfect victim, could undo the imbalance of the sin of Adam.  Through this self-sacrifice of Christ on the cross one can see the heinous nature of the infinite debt of sin.  Christ’s mutilated body that hung from the cross clearly shows it.  Every sin ever committed unleashed itself upon the sacrificial lamb.  How many times do we blame the Jews and Romans for this crucifixion?  We should also look at our sins because ultimately it was our sins that did this to our Lord.  In this, we should weep bitterly as Peter did.
While many other themes can be found within the Stations, I think it is good to reflect on these during Holy Week.  Christian Counseling sessions can also reflect on these themes as well as others if they apply to individual situations.  If you wish to become a Christian Counselor, please review the program and see if the Christian Counseling courses match your academic needs.

Ignatian Spirituality and Electives for Christians

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Ignatian Ideals and Christian Counseling

Christian counseling constantly helps people make choices. This form of spiritual direction is

critical for the spiritual child to be guided in the proper way. When it comes to moral dilemmas or vocational choices, St. Ignatius offers a variety of options in his Spiritual Exercises. In the Spiritual Exercises, one can find excellent ways to choose between two options. The first and foremost way is making sure the option or options coincide with divine law. If they do not, then they should be discontinued as an option. St. Ignatius also gives ways for one to know when God is clearly talking to them and also helpful mental tools to help discern and diagnose if one should choose a certain path. If you are interested in Christian Counseling and helping people make better choices that coincide with the Gospel, you should consider the program. If you are qualified, you could become a Christian Counselor and help others in the near future.
Training in Christian Counseling is offered at AIHCP for qualified professionals.

Lent Beyond Tradition and Christian Counseling

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling Should Prepare the Faithful for Lent

Christian Counseling sessions should prepare souls for Lent.  The Church has set aside a special time for Christians to prepare themselves for the Resurrection of Christ. Far from merely just a historical memorial of an event, it is a living tradition where the Mystical Body of Christ together as one unit, spiritually renewing itself in union with its head, Jesus Christ. While the event in question happened two millennia ago, one still can simultaneously reflect on Christ’s death and carry one’s own cross. This is the supernatural mystery of Lent because one’s sacrifice escapes the temporal prison of time but is offered to God in one clear precise eternal moment. In this way, while reflecting on a historical event, one still, within the eyes of God, can participate and offer his or her consolations to Christ as he dies for mankind. So one does not weep for Christ’s death in the past but weeps in the present with Mary and the Holy Women.

Lent in this regard is a reflection of the past but also a spiritual exercise of the present which is offered to an eternal God who is not bound by time. Christian Counselors should emphasize this aspect of Lent as a time to offer oneself to Christ and console Christ in his darkest moments. One during this time should take up his or her cross and carry it up Calvary with Christ via sacrifices, fasting, and virtue building.
Christian Counselors during this time should encourage Biblical study time where the story of Christ and his passion is meditated upon. In addition to Scripture, one should also partake in a deeper prayer life. Catholics should partake in the Stations of the Cross, make frequent confessions, and visit the Eucharist. Protestants also can partake in various Lenten traditions in their own home or church.
Christians in general, should also work beyond the mere required fast days and individual sacrifices, but also work on a particular virtue they would like to cultivate. Through a thorough examination of conscience, one should be able to identify the core element of one’s spiritual life that needs addressed and focused upon. In addition to this, one should not only work on oneself but also apply the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy to one’s fellow man via good deeds of compassion and love.
The purpose of Lent while reflective on Christ’s passion is also a reactive time where one living in the present offers contrition to God and reparation via spiritual rebuilding and good works. This goes beyond mere rituals of abstaining from meat on Friday but involves a living and interactive faith with God that is fed by love and not habit. Lent is not about who can fast the most or not grumble about fasting but is a time to suffer and later resurrect with Christ. Without this love, abstaining from meat is merely a foolish ritual with no true meaning.
Christian Counseling should emphasize these elements to all spiritual children and should help and guide others in making the best out of one’s Lent. As a Christian counselor one can not only help a person understand fasting but also help someone build sanctity and a better relationship with Christ through prayer, virtue and charity.  If you are interested in becoming a Christian Counselor, please review the program.
By Mark Moran, MA