Richard Rohr, OFM

Part of the great mystery of life is that it’s just as hard to see the ecstasy and beauty of things as it is to accept the crucifixion of things. Both are the paschal mystery—Christ has died, Christ is risen—and both are an utter act of faith and surrender. In fact, when I see how the negative response comes first to most people, I wonder if the seeing of the Resurrection is not actually the harder act of faith.

One of the few generalizations we can make in the field of universal spirituality is this: No one else is your problem. You are always the locus of conversion and transformation. It is always about you first of all—always. You can even use that as a good litmus test for authentic spirituality. Is it keeping you listening for God? Is it keeping your own feet to the fire? Then it is probably healthy teaching. Is it leading you to suspicion, paranoia, accusation, and blaming? Then it is from the “Accuser,” which is a quite significant New Testament name for Satan (Revelation 12:10).