Nature religions, for example, speak of summer, fall, winter, and spring. They see the downward path as the necessary prelude to any kind of upward path again. Our vocabulary is different. We Christians speak of the death and resurrection of Jesus. But unfortunately, we've projected it all onto Jesus and it didn't become a life agenda for the rest of us.
Richard RohrThe fears that assault us are mostly simple anxieties about social skills, about intimacy, about likeableness, or about performance. We need not give emotional food or charge to these fears or become attached to them. We donโt even have to shame ourselves for having these fears. Simply ask your fears, โWhat are you trying to teach me?โ Some say that FEAR is merely an acronym for โFalse Evidence Appearing Real.โ From Everything Belongs, p. 143
Richard RohrTo the degree you have experienced intimacy with God, you wonโt be afraid of death because youโre experiencing the first tastes and promises of heaven in this world.
Richard RohrI cannot illustrate huge differences between male and female spiritualities except in their starting points, style and fascinations along the way. This is significant, however, and has huge pastoral implications: men must be challenged in the world of doing; women must be challenged in the world of relating.
Richard Rohr