Thanks for the clear important message on communication. It’s been a lifetime since I read the Screwtape Letters. I thought they were interesting in the 1970’s I’m sure I’ll read them differently in the glaring honesty of age.
I appreciated this message, one born of true desire to communicate honesty and gentle guidance when writing. Yes subtle are those natural thoughts we all have but praying to and through the Holy Spirit for discernment can open our eyes and our ears if we but do it!
Thank you for sharing so honestly. This rings true with me. In writing fiction, I so often want to convey a message that I fear I am overly explicit, rather than allowing the reader to find his/her way to it. I'm still not sure how to do it the best way, but I pray the Lord will direct me every day. Such a good reminder to help us be aware.
This very language brought me to RCIA. True conversion came later, but thanks to this I knew I was in the Church that God placed in my path:
“Surely you know that if a man can’t be cured of churchgoing, the next best thing is to send him all over the neighborhood looking for the church that ‘suits’ him until he becomes a taster or connoisseur of churches.”1
The entire story told in reverse convicted me. Self-satisfied sarcasm and smart-guy “humor” hiding real anxiety and insincerity. I tried Mere Christianity first, but other than one passage on the prayer/sin/failure/prayer cycle that eventually allows us to ask God to do it for us, and the big reveal that my mind would not lead me to Faith, but Faith would have to lead my mind (another reversal!), that book didn’t get me over the threshold. Screwtape did it for me. Nobody told me the “device” in advance, and I was well into it before I thought “wait a minute, what is going on here?”
Add the “True myth” revelation and I was home.
… Even if I still have a hard time as an architect withholding judgement upon ugly buildings intended to be Domus ecclesia….
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. It is required in some form for adults to be confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church. At least in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles where I live.
Much longer answer:
So I am a “convert” and RCIA just shy of my 50th birthday is one of my conversion waypoints, preceded by Lewis and Screwtape. I think of RCIA more as a liturgical and sacramental commitment to the disciplines and teachings of Catholicism than The Conversion moment however. My actual conversion was a longer process punctuated by a personal version of Gethsemene, torture at the hands of enemies (including my old self) and a death of sorts, followed by a particularly desperate litany of The Jesus Prayer (… have mercy on me…) and miraculous undeserved Grace that lifted me. Hailing of His mother also figured prominently mostly in the form of Rosaries said on my behalf.
When Grace arrived I felt everything that was not Peace and not Love lifted from my body, as a cloud of Peace that surpasses all understanding descended and enveloped me, even under me, lifting just a bit. He made me Lighter
I try never to forget that this actually happened so I tell the story whenever someone asks a leading question, so thanks.
Catholicism in any form is most definitely not for me but I so enjoyed reading your testimony here....the one thing no one can argue with us over as it is unique and special to each one of us who loves God and His son above all - and the words from the book of Revelation "they overcame by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony "remains relevant currently and right unto the end...which, personally, I feel cannot be far away now. Thank you for your reply...and so pleased I asked you 'a leading question' !
"How do we, as writers and communicators, use our own words? Are we building up or slowly eroding? Are we inviting, or are we persuading with pressure dressed up as inspiration ... [T]he temptation is real to use words as leverage rather than as a gift. Even the most well-meaning voices can slip into manipulation when the goal is to be heard rather than to listen first."
Amen! When I teach public speaking in school, we address these same issues with the antidote -- striving to be faithful mouthpieces (ambassadors) for God rather than issuing our own messages or drawing attention to ourselves in our delivery styles and choices. This is a constant battle of the heart when writing and speaking publicly.
You might be describing the difference between art and propaganda. The latter has a predetermined conclusion with the aim of convincing the consumer. Art, conversely, is open to discovery of some new truth, enriching both consumer and artist.
Thanks for the clear important message on communication. It’s been a lifetime since I read the Screwtape Letters. I thought they were interesting in the 1970’s I’m sure I’ll read them differently in the glaring honesty of age.
I appreciated this message, one born of true desire to communicate honesty and gentle guidance when writing. Yes subtle are those natural thoughts we all have but praying to and through the Holy Spirit for discernment can open our eyes and our ears if we but do it!
Thank you for sharing so honestly. This rings true with me. In writing fiction, I so often want to convey a message that I fear I am overly explicit, rather than allowing the reader to find his/her way to it. I'm still not sure how to do it the best way, but I pray the Lord will direct me every day. Such a good reminder to help us be aware.
This very language brought me to RCIA. True conversion came later, but thanks to this I knew I was in the Church that God placed in my path:
“Surely you know that if a man can’t be cured of churchgoing, the next best thing is to send him all over the neighborhood looking for the church that ‘suits’ him until he becomes a taster or connoisseur of churches.”1
The entire story told in reverse convicted me. Self-satisfied sarcasm and smart-guy “humor” hiding real anxiety and insincerity. I tried Mere Christianity first, but other than one passage on the prayer/sin/failure/prayer cycle that eventually allows us to ask God to do it for us, and the big reveal that my mind would not lead me to Faith, but Faith would have to lead my mind (another reversal!), that book didn’t get me over the threshold. Screwtape did it for me. Nobody told me the “device” in advance, and I was well into it before I thought “wait a minute, what is going on here?”
Add the “True myth” revelation and I was home.
… Even if I still have a hard time as an architect withholding judgement upon ugly buildings intended to be Domus ecclesia….
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. It is required in some form for adults to be confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church. At least in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles where I live.
Much longer answer:
So I am a “convert” and RCIA just shy of my 50th birthday is one of my conversion waypoints, preceded by Lewis and Screwtape. I think of RCIA more as a liturgical and sacramental commitment to the disciplines and teachings of Catholicism than The Conversion moment however. My actual conversion was a longer process punctuated by a personal version of Gethsemene, torture at the hands of enemies (including my old self) and a death of sorts, followed by a particularly desperate litany of The Jesus Prayer (… have mercy on me…) and miraculous undeserved Grace that lifted me. Hailing of His mother also figured prominently mostly in the form of Rosaries said on my behalf.
When Grace arrived I felt everything that was not Peace and not Love lifted from my body, as a cloud of Peace that surpasses all understanding descended and enveloped me, even under me, lifting just a bit. He made me Lighter
I try never to forget that this actually happened so I tell the story whenever someone asks a leading question, so thanks.
Catholicism in any form is most definitely not for me but I so enjoyed reading your testimony here....the one thing no one can argue with us over as it is unique and special to each one of us who loves God and His son above all - and the words from the book of Revelation "they overcame by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony "remains relevant currently and right unto the end...which, personally, I feel cannot be far away now. Thank you for your reply...and so pleased I asked you 'a leading question' !
What is RCIA please ?
Answer above. (Apparently I replied to myself)
"How do we, as writers and communicators, use our own words? Are we building up or slowly eroding? Are we inviting, or are we persuading with pressure dressed up as inspiration ... [T]he temptation is real to use words as leverage rather than as a gift. Even the most well-meaning voices can slip into manipulation when the goal is to be heard rather than to listen first."
Yes! Here are fifty words that are criminally underused:https://www.whitenoise.email/p/50-words-that-deserve-more-use
Honest & convicting.
Achieving in me what you humbly recognised as being the true & worthy aim of any composition.
Grateful to have found this 💛
Amen! When I teach public speaking in school, we address these same issues with the antidote -- striving to be faithful mouthpieces (ambassadors) for God rather than issuing our own messages or drawing attention to ourselves in our delivery styles and choices. This is a constant battle of the heart when writing and speaking publicly.
🙌🏼💕
Great read
"Honoring their heart." Got me.
Never write with Rancor.
I need to dig out my copy of the Screwtape Letters and read them again. Thank you for the great read.
Convicted…
You might be describing the difference between art and propaganda. The latter has a predetermined conclusion with the aim of convincing the consumer. Art, conversely, is open to discovery of some new truth, enriching both consumer and artist.
Nice essay. Thank you for the thoughtful and uplifting words.
Not just what but how. Thanks for the reminder.