Seventh Direction: Journey Within

By Thom Trunzo

The title of this book is based on the Native American Lakota tradition of referring to all of God's creation in terms of directions. The seventh and final direction is God's spirit within each of us. The title, therefore, is an invitation to "Journey Within," to find God in our lives. This book of guided reflections is a perfect tool for groups who are working to find the spirit in their everyday lives. It offers a way to share insight and wisdom with people gathered for prayer. The reflections in this book can be used by Retreat Leaders, Homilists, Confirmation Leaders and Grief Ministers. Based on the Gifts of the Spirit, these guided reflections invite the participants to take a journey into a new way to experience these gifts as alive in everyday events. They summon us to reflect on our individual lives, opening doors to self awareness, spiritual growth and healing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thom Trunzo
• Release date: Sep 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301349913

Thom Trunzo

Thom is a Catholic Permanent Deacon, ordained in 1995. He has served as Pastoral Associate in several churches since his ordination. He is passionate about Social Justice and healing divisions among cultures and religions. He taught both Social Justice and World Religion for 10 years. He completed a 4 Unit Chaplain Residency accredited by ACPE at the local VA Hospital and believes that humble service to those in pain or in need offers us the best chance for peace.Beth has been in parish ministry for more than 20 years. She served as Pastoral Associate as well as Director of Religious Education in two different parishes. She has a passion for liturgy and social justice. She has organized several workshops and lenten series on Social Justice based on the tenants of Catholic Social Justice Teaching. She has written and presented a variety of retreats and workshops. She has also completed the Ignatian Spiritual Director's Retreat at Guelph University in Ontario Canada..Thom and Beth have been married for 32 years, and together they have 8 children.Native American Spirituality is a part of their life as well. They have a Medicine Wheel on their land and do ceremonies there as well. Thom was given a Lakota name in 2005 that means "Bridge Builder." The name was selected by the Lakota Elders in acknowledgement of his work in bridging cultures and religious orientations, and efforts focused on understanding and healing divisions and acceptance of people who are different.You can find out more about this deacon couple by visiting their website: www.seventhdirection.comWhile you are there, you can sign-up for their FREE Weekly Reflection Service, and check-out Spiritual Direction, Native American Spirituality, and their on-line religion course intended to bring understanding and healing among the Jewish, Christian and Islamic people. They also provides Spiritual Direction. Information about Spiritual Direction is also on the website.You can contact Deacon Thom through e-mail – [e-mail]

Book preview

Seventh Direction: Journey Within

Reflections on the Gifts of the Spirit

Published by: Deacon Thom Trunzo at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Thom Trunzo

ISBN: 9781301349913

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Dedication

To my wife, Beth, my source of strength, my center, my best friend. She challenges me, inspires me, forgives me, showers light into my life and is my window to God.

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Acknowledgements

As special thanks to those who edited this book. First to Beth. Thanks also to author Anna Smucker and her husband Kim, workers for Social Justice, good friends and spiritual companions for their maticulous review and suggestions.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part 1 – Gifts of the Spirit

WISDOM

"Two Parts to Everything"

Families

"Going Home"

UNDERSTANDING

"Endings and Beginnings"

COUNSEL – RIGHT JUDGEMENT

"The Old Woman"

FORTITUDE – COURAGE

"A Story Waiting to be Written"

Follow Me

Send Me

KNOWLEDGE

"The Thrift Shop"

PIETY – REVERENCE

"Washing of the Feet"

FEAR OF THE LORD – AWE and WONDER

"The Day"

Part 2 – On Life

The Tree in the Meadow

Letting Go

Other Links

Endnotes

Meet the Author

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Introduction

This book was written by a man who has experienced almost all of what life brings: the pain, the loneliness, the anger, the bitterness, as well as the joy, the surprise, the accomplishment, the love, the community the forgiveness and the gratitude that brings us to our feet in praise and joy.

Thom is my husband and my best friend. His reflections gather us to a place where we find grace, that mystical something that feeds us on our journey. Open this book and journey to the heart of life. You will be fed and nourished by the words and images that he shares.

Beth Trunzo

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Two Parts to Everything

A Reflection on Life’s Paradoxes

Gift of the Spirit: WISDOM

Image 1

Introduction

Native American Spirituality teaches us that all things are connected. 'In life there is sadness as well as joy, losing as well as winning, falling as well as standing, hunger as well as plenty, bad as well as good. I do not say this to make you despair, but to teach you the reality that life is a journey sometimes walked in light and sometimes walked in shadow."1 Often, we fail to see how we are all connected to everything.

Preparation

This reflection is intended to be read, having the participants sit in silence with their eyes closed. It can, however, be read privately by an individual.

When all have gathered and are in comfortable places, begin.

Take a few moments to empty your mind of distracting thoughts.

Focus on your breathing. Feel the air flowing through your nostrils — filling your lungs – exiting again. Inhale - - Exhale! / Inhale - - Exhale! / Inhale - - Exhale!

Now that you are in quiet, let us begin. Put yourself into the story, being aware of your own feelings as they emerge and change.

The Reflection

The little girl crawled up on her grandmother’s lap and asked, Why do people suffer? Does God want us to suffer?

Grandmother answered. God does not want us to suffer, but there is suffering in the world. When we experience suffering, we learn to appreciate joy. In life there are always two parts to everything.

"Grandmother, then why are there so many people without enough to eat?

Grandmother answered, "When people are hungry, they learn how precious food is.

When people have too much to eat, they take it for granted.

God put enough food on the earth for everyone, but unfortunately, some people have too much and others not enough.

We need to learn to appreciate the food we have and be thankful.

Whenever we eat, we should think of those who have little food.

Then our having is connected to those not having and we learn how to share."

Grandmother, I saw a picture of a family without a place to live. It made me sad.

"Grandmother sees how special you are.

When people have no place to live, it is because others live in places bigger than what they need.

In life, God wanted everyone to have just what they needed. But there is greed in the world.

So when there is greed