Carlyle Marney’s “Untying the One Christ Jesus Freed”
I’ve always loved how Carlyle Marney describes the spiritual life. Our task is to uncover our true self, which is already true (and always has been). Frances leans into her healing because she believes God loves her and knows her beyond her trauma.
Hannah: Weeping as Prayer
Hannah weeps not at home but at the doorstep of the temple, adamant that God will hear her cry and see her pain. Sure enough, Eli sees her. He blesses her, and she returns home smiling, for she feels seen in her grief. She is on her way to being remembered. (1 Samuel 1:4-20)
The Images of God We Keep
As we see in Frances’ Step Two, Frances’ faith offered solace and strength to survive a difficult childhood. Although she may have given up Catholic doctrine, she retained an image of God who cares deeply for her and knows her pain.