November Affirmation: I reach out as a “soul friend”
to those I meet in this world and on the Other Side.
Greetings of Love and Light,
These few days at the end of October and the beginning of November are a very special time when the veils between the worlds are incredibly thin. Those who have gone before us reach out to us from the Other Side and we may choose to reach out to them. In Mexico this time is celebrated as the Day of the Dead. In Christian tradition we have All Hallows Eve (or Halloween) followed by All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2).
Some years ago on November 2 a dear friend of mine, Fr. Peter Posthumus, made his transition. I was blessed to know Fr. Peter for only a few short years, but in that brief time he became a mentor in my professional development and a close personal friend. He was, in the profound words of the Celtic tradition, an anam cara, a soul friend. We shared much of our spiritual journey during long profound conversations and we found we had much in common. Both of our journeys had surprising twists and unexpected challenges. Fr. Peter began his journey in the Christian Reformed Church and attended Calvin Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. However, his student days at Calvin ended when he chose to “come out” as a gay man. He was expelled from Calvin’s ministry program and his spiritual quest began.
When I met him years later, he had found his way into the Reformed Catholic Church and he introduced me to a spirituality that I didn’t even know I was hungry for. I attended services of his small house church and felt a Presence in the liturgy. Our discussions deepened and I ultimately chose to follow his footsteps into this church structure. Unfortunately, neither of us knew that the Reformed Catholic Church that we knew was founded on lies and deceit and wrapped in a cloak of darkness. I escaped the darkness by being excommunicated as an unwanted rebel and I thank Spirit for that to this day. Fr. Peter stayed, was gifted(?) with many honors including the title of Bishop and yet I know he felt trapped. He was a man of great integrity. When he made a commitment, he kept it to the best of his ability. He would not break his vows even when the darkness was all around him. When I published my book “Light In the Darkness”, I dedicated it to him as one “who faced the darkness while he walked in the Light.”
Today my journey continues, as it does for many of us. I would like to suggest a re-interpretation of the ancient traditions of All Saints and All Souls. I encourage you to reach out to those on the Other Side who are precious to you and open to any messages they may have to teach. They may not have lived perfect lives and they won’t have a halo, but they may still be “saints” in our day for you. But don’t stop there, for there are many walking among us on the physical plane who may become, or perhaps already are, “soul friends.” In a world where speed dating and technology is the norm, seek a deeper connection. Invest in truly relating to those who hold space in your life. Holding space is not sufficient. Our souls will grow hungry and die if we do not nourish them with true, deep friendships and connections of the heart.
“For me holiness is not a state or condition,
like a special badge or suit of clothes I may wear.
It’s not like a graduate degree or certificate
that I earn through study.
It’s not even an ‘energy’ or charismatic presence.
It is certainly not spiritual celebrity hood.
Holiness instead emerges from relationship. It’s dynamic.
It’s a manifestation of what is happening
between me and another in the moment.”
David Spangler from Blessing: The Art and the Practice
O Lord of Change and Truth, we seek your Guidance in these times of great uncertainty. We seek your Truth for our families, ourselves and our world. Teach us to stand strong for your kingdom and your Purpose. Walk beside us as we hesitantly step forward through fog and darkness. Light our way and help us when we stumble. As we lift our souls to you, may we become open to your Wisdom, your Light and your Truth. The time is NOW. Show us your Way and we will follow wherever the path may take us. So it is.
