The incredible brain

Social Intelligence, a sequel to Daniel Goleman’s best selling Emotional Intelligence enlightens the reader about the most recent advances in neuroscience, the study of the brain. While the inner workings of the human mind illustrate a marvelous gift from the Creator, consider the greater purpose of these workings.

Advances in medical technology have allowed scientists to view the brain and its workings under a variety of conditions. Our brains not only think, but also control emotions and thus in turn can set the tone for relationships in our lives. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology has shown that the chemistry and neuro connections in our brains change when we interact with others. In essence we are “wired” to connect with other people.

Our brains will react to people in two ways. The “low road” very quickly senses or takes in information about another person and responds on a “gut” level. The “high road” or thinking brain takes longer to respond and measures reactions against previous knowledge and experience. Most of us have the ability to suppress those first gut instincts and take time to respond in socially acceptable ways. I'm sure we have all encountered instances in our lives when our gut reaction to an event is strong but we catch ourselves in time to measure our response.

Social intelligence, Goleman concludes, consists of social awareness, the ability to instantly sense someone else’s emotional state and social faculty which allows a person to build on that awareness and effectively interact with others.

It seems to me that Jesus Christ had this in mind when he instructed us to “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 15:12). It is through the teachings of Christ that we as Christians see others as reflections of God and learn to connect to them. By taking time to get to know another person we are building and enhancing social connections in our brains which in turn is a benefit to all of us. In an increasingly disconnected world filled with many “anti-social” devices, including cellphones and MP3 players, many are left with the feeling of being left out of society. Next time you have the opportunity to connect with someone new or turn on your personal music player, consider taking the time to reach out and find the reflection of God in that other person.

Over the next couple days we will look deeper into the theories and science presented in Social Intelligence and we will learn how the teaching of Christ are well supported by modern scientific discoveries.

Looking forward

For the third and final presentation at the annual meeting of the National Federation of Presbyteral Councils, Rev. John Jennings, a priest of the Diocese of Saint John, NB was invited to share some wisdom about how to begin the discussion.

The thesis of Father Jennings' presentation was that change, no matter the context, is always in response to circumstances which precipitate it. Beginning with the Early Church, he outlined how the identification of circumstances such as persecution, the need for definition of terms, establishment of order and other factors have all necessitated change during the history of the Church.

In his article entitled "Vatican Council II: Did Anything Happen?", published in Theological Studies, J.W. O'Maley spoke of the importance of balancing the lived tradition and the tendency to overemphasize the need for change. As such, one of the important roles of the Council was to concentrate on continuities while also recognizing discontinuities which have been effected by change throughout the Church's history.

One thing is certain, there is always change afoot, and when the Church is at its best, it has always been able to absorb and adjust the societies in which it is found, all the better to respond to the changes which are happening around it, and all the better to respond to the needs of the people of God.

Change represents a pivotal point in life. While it is important to be aware of the shifts in realities we face, it is equally imperative that we be aware of the gifts we bring to this moment, gifts which enable us to face the challenge of change head on and to maintain an atmosphere of hope as we look to the future.

The NFPC National Assembly wraps up tomorrow.

Reflecting on the present

In the second presentation of the National Assembly, the NFPC heard from Rev. R.B MacDonald, a priest of the Diocese of Antigonish who is eminently qualified and waxes eloquently about the declarations of the Second Vatican Eccumenical Council (1962-1965).

Fr. R.B. as he is known to friends and collegues presented reflections on the priesthood as it was explained in the documents of the Council, especially

• the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium,
• the Decree on the Life and Ministry of Priests Presbyterorum Ordinis, and
• the Decree concerning the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church Christus Dominus

Father MacDonald was studying in Rome during the time of the Vatican Council and therefore was afforded a rare opportunity to visit the Council chambers during the deliberations, and to have insights into the behind-the-scenes developments which were otherwise perhaps unknown to much of the wider world. His insights shed a new light on the subject especially for those of us who are not so far along the journey of life.

Having examined the question of priesthood yesterday and today, we will turn our attention tomorrow to the priesthood of the future. In the meanwhile, we are taking advantage of wonderful weather to visit some of the tourist attractions on Cape Breton.

Reflections from the past

I'm in Sydney, Nova Scotia this week at a meeting of the National Federation of Presbyteral Councils. The occasion is the annual National Assembly of the NFPC and we're enjoying the hospitality that Cape Breton Island is so famous for.

During the first day of our meetings, we had the great pleasure to spend some time with Dr. Margaret MacDonald, who shared some thoughts about leadership in the very earliest years of the Church and its development as it is spoken of in the biblical letters of Saint Paul and the Gospels.

In the course of her writings, she also quoted extensively from two particular books which I look forward to reading in more depth. I thought that I would share them with you so that you too can explore them if you wish.

A Woman's Place: House Churches in Earliest Christianity
Carolyn Osiek and Margaret MacDonald
(Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2006)
ISBN: 0-8006-3777-1

Stewards, Prophets, Keepers of the Word: Leadership in the Early Church
Ritva H. Williams
(Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2006)
ISBN: 978-1-56563-949-2

The inside scoop

This past week, I was on retreat with some of the diocesan priests, hence the delay in publishing this comentary.

Actually, I started reading through David Yallop's book entitled The Power and the Glory: Inside the Dark Heart of John Paul IIs Vatican. Although I'm still in the very early stages of this work, I can't help but wonder about some of the findings. Mr. Yallop, who previously published In God's Name: An Investigation into the Murder of Pope John Paul I, obviously puts little store by the validity of the 'official voice' of the Vatican. His thirst for detail and the behind-the-scenes story has admittedly gotten some informants in trouble. Regardless of whether or not the tale is true, it makes for good reading.

Although I am still in the early stages of his second work, the thesis of The Power and the Glory seems to be that Karol Wojtyla, was advanced from the office of parish priest to that of Supreme Pontiff due to a series of machinations on the part of the political forces of the day, and not so much based on any political prowess that might have been displayed on his part.

Admittedly, the inside scoop is always facinating, especially in cases like the Church, which throughout its history has been known to hold its share of secrets. Still, I'll reserve judgement for the moment about the proposed character analysis Mr. Yallop is developing.

Karol Wojtyla, then the Archbishop of Crakow (Poland) was elected Supreme Pontiff on October 16, 1978. Throughout his 26 year pontificate, he endeared himself to the world's youth, advanced the Church's profile through the use of modern-day media and forged new dialogue and relations with many including the Jewish community and civil leaders from all parts of the world. He was the most widely traveled pope in history, believing that it was his mission to bring the message of Christ to the people of the world by demonstrating to them that his pastoral concern had no limits.

Wisdom from little people

There are times when God calls or makes changes in our lives that we may find impossible to comprehend. The loss of a job or a relationship may create the kind of changes that for some, will urge them into new challenges, but for others, will leave them in a state of fear or depression making it impossible to move on.

In Spencer Johnson’s book Who Moved My Cheese? we find the tale of four characters, Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw who are faced with sudden change, the loss of their Cheese. Sniff and Scurry are mice with simple brains who leap into action immediately in search of a new Cheese, which they promptly find. Hem and Haw are Littlepeople, the size of mice, but looking like people, who have the benefit of more complex brains, filled with many beliefs and emotions. They chose to stay in the comfort and safety of their Cheese Station and wait for more Cheese to come.

As time passes, Hem and Haw recognize that perhaps no more Cheese will be coming, however, the fear of change grips them, prohibiting these Littlepeople from leaving the Cheese Station in search of new Cheese. Eventually Haw comes to recognize that "if you do not change, you will become extinct" but he could not convince Hem of this. Haw sets out to find new Cheese with out Hem. Many times he feels the pull of the familiar calling him to return. It is easier to return to what you know than to face the challenge of the unknown. To remind himself of the purpose of this journey Haw wrote on the wall "What would you do if you were not afraid?". Though weak and still weighed down by his fears Haw continued. When doubt and fear called Haw imagined himself with new Cheese. As Haw’s belief that he would find new Cheese grew, his strength and resolve to continue also grew. Haw changed his beliefs and his behaviours to challenge the fear of change and eventually he found the new Cheese and his friends Sniff and Scurry.

In our lives we know people like Sniff who can sense change coming and are quick to lead the way. People like Scurry are action oriented individuals who can make things happen quickly. There are many Haws in our lives who need to be forced into action. They take on change hesitantly, but will grow and learn to adapt. The Hems become extinct out their lack of action.

When God calls are you a Sniff, Scurry, Hem or Haw? Will you leave the comfort of what you know to follow? Will you answer God’s request and grow in His wisdom and in His love to find your new Cheese?

Summer reading

After a bit more than a month away from the routine of posting, it's high time to return to the business of sharing reflections. I've often noticed that silence between friends is not necessarily a sign of inactivity. Such is also the case here. I have been reading this past month and actually managed to complete three works which perhaps may be interesting to some of you.

In the latter days of July, I completed The Wisdom of Forgiveness: Intimate Converstaions and Journies, a book by the Dalai Lama and Mr. Victor Chan. Recounting the various encounters that Mr. Chan had with the Dalai Lama over a period of years, this work provides some very good food for thought.

Our world is too often in need of hearts which are open to forgiveness, but forgiveness is made all the more difficult because of the tendency to judge according to human precepts. The exiled leader of the Tibetan people provides some very enlightening reflections in very simple but profound language.

As July turned into August, I turned my attention to Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt. Ms. Anne Rice, the author of this book, is an accomplished author but this novel is considerably different from some of her previous work. The story is ficticious but it provides a plausible possibility for the hidden years of Jesus Christ, taking into account the culture of the day and the various challenges which were most probably key factors in shaping the thinking of the young child who Christians believe to be the Messiah.

Finally, I just had to delve into the most recently published book in the Harry Potter series. Like the six previous works, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows is a craftily woven tale which moves quickly and recounts the age old conflict of good and evil.

A number of years ago, when J.K. Rowling published the first book in the Harry Potter series, there was much ado about the advisability of promoting books about witchcraft and sorcery. However, the seven books which have sold magnanimously throughout the world are a very well-told tale of a young boy and his friends who face various obstacles throughout their years at school.

It might be worthwhile to look at this series from the point of view of the presence or absence of love as a reconciling force in the lives of people today. Too often, the absence of love leads to competition, envy and animosity. Would that more people recognized the true depth of the treasure that is offered when the gift of love is freely shared.