tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post8527694238739733575..comments2023-11-03T05:46:44.728-04:00Comments on RevGalBlogPals: Ask the Matriarch -- Mediums and/or MessagesStephanie Anthony/She Revhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-71923743561574256142013-07-26T23:09:40.935-04:002013-07-26T23:09:40.935-04:00Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful respons...Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful responses to this vexatious and many-dimensioned question.<br />I recall an older couple in one of my parishes who had lost their adult son to illness -- they turned to "spiritualism" in general, and I remember their questions to me taking the form of, "Don't you think there is something 'in it'?" "Don't you think there just might be something 'in it'?" <br />And finally I had to say, "Since you ask me, and since you continue to ask me, I have to say -- "NO. I don't think there is something 'in it.' I think it is very alluring to the bereaved, but that does not make it truthful, or helpful, or wholesome--quite the contrary. There is no solace except in what is true...not in denial, not in superstition, not in sentimentality...only in the truth that we have all been given...and our work is to lay hold upon that solace, and to seek closeness to the ones we love, but see no longer, in the means of grace that we have all been given." It was, and is, very tough to say...but it looked like responsibility...<br />Crimson Ramblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13020190454645032359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-3820910137561558482013-07-25T12:20:30.011-04:002013-07-25T12:20:30.011-04:00I have a member of my church who is psychic. It...I have a member of my church who is psychic. It's not really common knowledge and she uses it in her healing work (she does Reiki professionally, and uses her intuition to help in those sessions.)<br /><br />When I was going before my ordination boards I got a first-hand experience of her gifts in two different ways, which I found useful and helpful to me. She is a woman who has practiced prayerful meditation for many, many years, and I do believe listens to the Spirit's leading and has worked to hone her natural intuition. So, I genuinely do believe that some people have a gift for knowing the unknowable, and some have noticed their natural gift and worked to learn to use it well to help others - especially in their healing.<br /><br />However - there are also LOTs of charlatans out there who take advantage of the vulnerable. The red flags you've seen with this one case seem likely that you've encountered one such charlatan taking advantage of the vulnerable. I think my response would just be to name the vulnerability of people who are grieving so profoundly, and the sad truth that there are some who would take advantage of people in such a situation. Just like I believe that as a woman I am more likely to be ripped off by an auto-mechanic than my husband would be so I am more aware of my vulnerability and I take extra steps not to become a victim of someone's greed, I might suggest that they look toward finding help and healing in a way that would not take such financial advantage of their situation. Are they seeking assurance their child/loved one is well cared for in the afterlife? Can this assurance be found in their own time of prayer and experience of God's Spirit in their lives? If they're not praying folks (or it is simply too painful to pray at this time) is there a faith community that can hold this prayer for them? In their grief are they looking for a "short-cut" to assuage their pain over their loss?page95https://www.blogger.com/profile/10517724954498594357noreply@blogger.com