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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

Ignatian Fasting and Christian Counseling.

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

How Christian Counseling Can Use Ignatian Ideals

Ignatian spirituality can also be applied to the Lenten season or the Great Fast. St. Ignatius in his “Spiritual Exercises” laid out important guiding principles in proper fasting.

St. Ignatius points out that there is interior fasting which deals with the formation of moral character and exterior fasting which deals with sacrifices and penances of a bodily fashion. This exterior fasting is a result of the interior fasting and yearning of the soul to show penance.
According to St. Ignatius, denial of superfluous things is not fasting. Fasting does not include giving up special treats, but is a sacrifice that revolves around ordinary things that we deal with everyday. This is not to devalue sacrifices, but it is important to delineate between exercises in temperance and true fasting.
St. Ignatius listed three primary ways one can fast. The first he listed was food intake. In this, Ignatius reflects the values of the Church and its mandates for denial of meat and other meals during a proper fast day. The second type of fasting deals with denial of sleep. Sleep deprivation or removing basic comforts for sleep are encouraged for those who wish to fast this way. However, St. Ignatius emphasizes that one should not eliminate sleep if it hurts one’s health and prevents them from functioning in one’s daily duty. Finally, St. Ignatius stated that temporal suffering can be applied as long as it does not permanently harm the body. Examples of sack clothe that are hidden underneath one’s clothes is a perfect example for this.
Ultimately St. Ignatius believed fasting was meant to show Christ how much we love him and how much we wish to carry our crosses with him. St. Ignatius felt that such fasting would benefit the soul by teaching it mastery and discipline over the passions. He also saw fasting as important for petition and reparation for sin.  Christian Counseling sessions should also utilize these concepts.
by Mark Moran, MA

Christian Counseling and Key Fasting Concepts

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling and Key Fasting Concepts

Christian Counseling sessions should pinpoint key elements of fasting.  The purposes of fasting involve a few key concepts. One of the first concepts is that fasting teaches the body self control and spiritually discipline. The second concept is that it is a form of prayer to God where one can offer reparation for sin. The self denial is the sacrifice to God.
When one fasts, it is a personal gift to God. It is not to be advertised or applauded but kept secret. Christ taught that one is to fast in private and keep clean and fresh appearances so that one’s neighbor cannot see the fasting. Christ promises great rewards in Heaven that are beyond the extoltation of man.
As stated in other papers, most fasting regards ordinary things that are beyond the extra. St. Ignatius gave reference to this and laid out the ground rules in his Spiritual Exercises where fasting can involve physical penance, eating or sleeping. On the other extreme, the simple daily offerings of St. Theresa the Little Flower give a host of examples of how one can offer the smallest sacrifice to God during one’s daily duty.
If you are interested Christian Counseling Certification, please review the program.
By Mark Moran, MA

Lenten Ideals: True Lenten Remorse and Christian Counseling

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling can use the story of Judas and Peter as excellent ways to show how a Christian shows true remorse

 Palm Sunday emphasized the joyous proclamation of Christ as king, but like many who initially accept him, many later deny him.  The Jews who adored him, one week later scorned him and the many apostles who proclaimed their fidelity to him, denied him only days later.  In our Lenten sacrifices, do we later fall from grace and deny or betray our lord after the end of Lent?  Can we truly say we take our palm branches to the foot of the cross as did Mary, John and the Holy women?
It is probably so that many of us are not like Mary, John or the Holy Women, but do fall to the lures of this world.  Our concupiscence and fallen nature, only so easily fall to the pleasures of sense.  Our wills so strong one moment, befall to the temptations of this world and the devil.  It would not be surprising if many of us did fail in some of our Lenten promises and at times did not fulfill one’s obligation.  It is human nature to fall, but we are not defined by our fall but how we pick ourselves up.  Christians will sin and fall but through the grace of Christ, one can exhibit true Lenten remorse.   Christian Counselors can help one find this.
True Lenten remorse is having hope and faith in Christ that he will forgive us when we fail him.  This involves removing one’s pride and placing one’s hope in Christ’s deepest love for us.  Falling while never good is important because it helps us understand our weaknesses but it also helps us realize how much we love Christ and wish not to fall again.  In this way, we should contrast two forms of remorse found during the Holy Week and Passion of Christ.  They are the way of Peter or the way of Judas.

The Way of Judas

The way of Judas after his betrayal of Christ did exhibit true remorse.  After his betraying kiss to our Lord, he felt deep guilt and intense sadness.  He threw the pieces of silver at the chief priests and cursed them for their action.  However, instead of seeking out our Lord or his mother, he fled the city and without hope and full of despair hung himself.  Do we ever feel that we are unworthy of Christ’s love to such an extent that we would flee his love?  This is obviously not true Christian remorse for it lacks two things.  First, faith in Christ’s love and second, a lack of hope that leads to despair and never allows for contrition.

The Way of Peter in Christian Counseling

The way of Peter was also true remorse but differ ultimately in its end.  Peter triumphantly proclaimed he would never deny our lord, but only after things became difficult, did fear and human weakness overcome him.  He fled our lord in his darkest hour and denied him three times.  This denial of our lord was realized as the cock crowed twice.  In this moment of intense guilt and pain, Peter wept bitterly.  However, unlike Judas, Peter would again rise.  He felt horrible about his denial of our Lord, but instead had faith in forgiveness and pushed forward to new spiritual heights as the first leader of the early church.  He would even later validate his intense love for Christ via his own crucifixion, which he suffered upside down out of respect for Christ.
Beyond Peter, we also see the remorse of the apostles.  Did not the apostles also proclaim their fidelity to Christ but to only fall later?  Their spirits were strong but their flesh was weak.  One can see their failure as many of them fell asleep as Christ sweat blood in the garden.  Their ultimate failure is later seen as they fled the garden in fear of the soldiers who came to apprehend Christ. There after they would remain hidden until Christ’s resurrection.  All would eventually suffer martyrdom and vindicate themselves before Christ with their ultimate gift, their lives.  Only St. John would escape martyrdom because only he stood at the foot of the cross and experienced his own spiritual martyrdom of witnessing his lord die.
Christian Counselors should emphasize the importance of true remorse of Peter and the apostles who later died for Christ.  Their failures and fall from grace are all examples to us.  We too can fall but also be given another chance to show Christ our love for him.  The way of Judas prevents one from showing true remorse and growing from one’s fault.  In contrast, through the way of Peter, we can share the pain of the apostles in that we too fail Christ, but we can also share in their joy when we show remorse and grow from it.  If you are interested in the Christian Spiritual Counseling program, please click here.

By Mark Moran, MA

Training in Christian Counseling: Christian Family: Marriage

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Training in Christian Counseling: Christian Counseling with Marriage

The Christian Family as the first cell of society finds its conception in marriage.   This is why Christian Counseling must emphasize the importance of proper marriage preparation counseling.
It is interesting to note that even at the purely social level, marriage formed a social constraint for the formation of society and the bringing of order at the micro level.  Yet this natural social evolution had deeper yearnings at the center of man’s soul.  The yearning for spiritual communion took this merely social institution to a level that also satisfied the spiritual and theological needs of man.  Within the spiritual structure of humanity, the Mystical Body of Christ found marriage also as its most intimate cellular level where a man and woman took a vow before God to love each other and remain faithful.  Through this intense love, two became one and an unbreakable bond was created that transcended the societal order.

This sacred institution received it distinctive Christian mark via Christ at the wedding feast of Cana where in Catholic theology, it became a sacrament.  Protestant theology while not proclaiming the institution as a sacrament, nevertheless, shares a common belief that marriage is sacred and carries a serious bond.  Christian counselors find themselves in difficult situations when attempting to preserve these bonds of matrimony.  Various marital issues erupt that threaten to tear the very fabric of the union.  With such a heavy burden, Christian counseling must establish first and foremost the sacred nature of matrimony.  With this ideal in place, issues of finance, career, children, infidelity, or other selfish motives can hopefully be overcome.
In addition to dealing with an already existing Christian family, Christian counselors also deal with soon to be Christian families.  A Christian counselor during premarital or pre-Cana sessions, must evaluate the maturity and spiritual lives of the man and woman who are to marry.  During these early sessions, one should become acquainted with the future spouses and review their spiritual, financial and career goals.  While love is important, it is imperative to illuminate possible differences prior to vows and to help the future couple understand the problems they may face.  Other issues of importance include faith, the raising of children and ideas on what marriage is.
Most importantly, the counselor must emphasize the theological importance of the sacrament and ascertain if both parties understand the bond that will exist.  Obviously after various sessions, the counselor becomes more aware of the couples maturity, understanding of marriage and if their goals correspond.  During this period of time, the couple may also become more aware of any differences they may have previously dismissed.
Ultimately in the end, it is the couple’s love that will define the marriage. If true love exists, all problems can be overcome, especially if the couple dedicates their union to God.  Men should emulate St. Joseph, while women emulate Mary.  The couple should to the best of their abilities imitate the ultimate paradigm of the Christian family; the Holy Family.
Christian Counseling whether it is in the previous phases of marriage, or during the union, need to address issues but within a light that emphasizes the truly unique Christian character of marriage.

If you would like training in Christian Counseling, then please review the program

 

 

Christian Counseling and Apolegetics

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling and the Use of Apologetics

A Christian Counselor plays many roles.  Sometimes his role in counsel is to advice and instruct.  In these cases, the spiritual child may be confused with modern ideologies or philosophies.  Many of these philosophies are contrary to Christian Orthodoxy.  A spiritual director is a sacred calling to defend and define the faith to the ignorant and instruct them in the truth.
With modern ideas of materialism, agnosticism, atheism, secularism, relativism, modernism and other deviant ideologies 

contrary to the faith, society has found itself lost.  With the faith constantly under attack from the outside, many Christians have lost their way without a shepherd.   This attacks from the outside come from many sources.  One can find them from the government, the schools and media.  The numbing of good consciences is the result as blatant sin becomes standard norm.  What was once unspeakable becomes now completely acceptable.  With these shifting morals, one sees morality sliding on a slippery curve of degeneration. 
The attacks do not only come from without but also within.  Scholars deny the faith via modernism.  This hideous assault on the faith hopes to demytholize the sacred nature of scripture and Christ and make it more credible with science.  Priests, ministers, teachers within church circles and other religious have also become infected with this and confuse the laity.
In these confusing times, a Christian counselor must be firm in his or her faith.  They must not only be counselors but also theologians.  They must understand the nature of the enemy of the faith and be well versed in scripture and the various theologies.  They must be aware of current events and how the church identifies them.
Christian Counseling may very well in the future become also a last stand of Christian orthodoxy as modern ideas attempt to destroy the Christian faith.  With such a divine calling, teachers and counselors of the faith should be proud in their profession.  In the next articles, we will review some of the modern ideologies and how teachers of the faith should respond to them when questioned.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling courses, please review the program.

Addressing Teen Issues Through Christian Guidance & Counseling

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling for Teens

 In order to help address the issue of bullying, many teens today are studying to become Christian guidance counselors. The issue of bullying has long been plaguing hundreds of schools and communities across the country. While some bullying can be harmless, there are other cases where bullying has led to serious injury and death. In order to provide bullying victims a place to turn to for emotional and spiritual support, a high percentage of teens today are studying to earn their christian counseling certification. Based on a recent survey, a lot of these bullying cases are the result of kids having no parental support and low self-esteem. In addition to addressing the issue of bullying, other issues these teens hope to address include teenage drug use, unsafe sexual activity, and also the high rate of teenage pregnancies. By having another teen to turn to in a crisis situation, will hopefully help to diffuse some of the current issues teens are facing, especially teenage pregnancy and bullying.

If you are interested in learning more about how to become certified in Christian Counseling, then please review the program.